This week: Paizo has recognised United Paizo Workers, a union of its employees that represents the first of its kind in the industry. White Wolf updates us on Werewolf and announces a new edition of Hunter: The Reckoning.
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Over 30 Paizo employees have formed United Paizo Workers, the first union of its kind in the RPG industry. Paizo has voluntarily recognised the union.
How common is it for companies to voluntarily recognise a union? It’s nice to see Paizo doing this — especially given recent controversy at the company. — Amy
Wired argues that the proliferation of RPG actual plays is making the hobby more diverse.
Hasbro CEO, Brian Goldner, has died.
New & Upcoming
As part of the World of Darkness Brand Update, White Wolf announced that there would be a new edition of Hunter: the Reckoning. They also reported on progress on the new Werewolf: The Apocalypse.
There was a notable lack of information about Hunters Entertainment here — which was announced as developers for the new Werewolf. It seems a safe bet that they’re no longer involved. In fact, there doesn’t seem to have been much progress — and the update implies that they have struggled to stick to the original setting while removing its more problematic content.
The announcement of a new edition of Hunter was a bit of a surprise to me, as I’ve always seen it as one of White Wolf’s less successful lines. But there is a lot of connective tissue between it and Vampire, and it would have be simple to develop. It is also worth remembering that the World of Darkness is primarily a video game franchise these days and Hunter had its own game back in 2002. — James
Wizards of the Coast announces Call of the Netherdeep, a campaign based on Critical Role’s Exandria setting.
Paizo runs through its October releases.
Bundles & Deals
DriveThruRPG is running a Halloween Sale.
Bundle of Holding is offering a bundle of Deadlands Noir books, a bundle of Horror maps, and a collection of Cthulhu Mythos books.
Crowdfunding
Noteworthy New Projects
Iron Kingdoms — Borderlands and Beyond: An expansion for the 5e Iron Kingdoms: Requiem campaign setting, by Privateer Press (Iron Kingdoms: Requiem 5E). So far this project has raised $292,000 from 3,200 backers. Ends October 29th
I’ve yet to see a physical copy of Iron Kingdoms: Requiem, but this strong performance of this project suggests it has been well received by the people who backed it, at least. — James
Raiders of the Serpent Sea: A Norse-mythology inspired 5e campaign, by Arcanum Worlds Canada. So far this project has raised $124,000 from 1,700 backers. Ends November 20th
This is the latest work from Arcanum Worlds — a tabletop RPG publisher created by ex-Bioware directors.
Atlas — Tabletop Battle Maps & Encounter Cards for DnD 5e: A collection of battlemaps, tokens, and other accessories for 5e, by Moonlight Maps. So far this project has raised £113,000 ($156,000) from 1,400 backers. Ends November 9th
Book of Ebon Tides: 5th Edition enters the Plane of Shadow!: A sourcebook focused on the Plane of Shadow, by Kobold Press. So far this project has raised $104,000 from 1,400 backers. Ends November 18th
Planegea: A primordial, prehistoric campaign setting for 5e, by Atlas Games (Magical Kitties Save the Day!, Over the Edge: A Roleplaying Game of Weird Urban Danger, Unknown Armies Third Edition Roleplaying Game). So far this project has raised $106,000 from 1,300 backers. Ends November 18th
I’m a bit sad to see Atlas, which has a nice line of interesting and innovative RPGs under their belt, resorting to producing a 5e setting. With that said, this looks more unique and interesting than most projects of this type. — James
Closing Soon
The Lazy DM’s Companion is a book of support material for DMs. So far this project has raised $313,000 from 8,500 backers. Ends October 29th
The Practical Guide to Becoming a Great GM is another book of support material for DMs. So far this project has raised £203,000 ($280,000) from 4,400 backers. Ends October 28th
5e
Caspar’s Guide to Elementals: A zine-sized 5e supplement focused on elements and elementals, by Chamomile Has A Project (Kessler’s Guide to Dungeons, Harlequin’s Guide to Cities and Poison, Celawyn’s Guide to Wilderness and Fey) — November 1st
Mutated Monsters: A sourcebook focused on mutated monsters, by Dice Dungeons (Condition Coins — Metal Status Marker Rings for D&D, Quest Decks: Adventure Cards for your RPG Games, Character Coins: RPG Token Sets by Dice Dungeons) — November 11th
Five Torches Deep — Highfane Peaks: A mountain setting for 5e and OSR games, by Sigil Stone Publishing (Belly of the Beast RPG, Vagabonds of Dyfed RPG: OSR meets PbtA, Five Torches Deep RPG: 5e + OSR) — November 14th
Potbellied Kobold’s Guide to Villains & Lairs: A collection of villains for 5e, by Jeff Stevens (Adventures from the Potbellied Kobold for 5E) — November 18th
OSR & Retro
Arcane Scrollworks: Ascension: A collection of magic scroll props, inspired by 5e and Mörk Borg, by SkeletonKey Games (The Masticator Gate — A Third Party Mörk Borg Campaign, Adventure Tiles: Darkharrow Crypt, Arcane Scrollworks) — October 20th
Tales from the Smoking Wyrm Issue #4: A Dungeon Crawl Classics fanzine, by Blind Visionary Publications (Tales from the Smoking Wyrm Issues 1-3) — November 2nd
King Tut’s Rootin’ Tootin’ Weird West Extravabonanza: A weird west OSR zine, by Levi Combs (Escape from Skullcano Island, Magic and Shit: Weird Fantasy for Your OSR RPGs, Jungle Tomb of the Mummy Bride Compatible for DCC & 5E) — November 3rd
Tournament of Pigs: An OSR adventure in which players compete in a deadly medieval competition, by Weird Works (The Empress Deck — The Adventurer’s Tarot, RPG Stamps: Commemorate Deaths and Track Accomplishments) — November 18th
Ye Olde Squide Game. — Amy
Other & Generic Fantasy
Aegean RPG: An Ancient Greek fantasy RPG, by Stoo Goff (Wild: Dream Dive Training Simulation, The Gaslight Club) — October 31st
Slayers Almanac: A setting book of maps and districts for the Slayers RPG, by Spencer Campbell (Nova RPG, Dust, Slayers) — November 1st
The Flotsam Fair: A system-neutral setting featuring a travelling fair that takes place above and below the waves, by Evil Pigeon Games (The Night Market, The Halfling Food Festival) — November 13th
Questlandia RPG: A worldbuilding story game in which you create a kingdom, and then play out a turning point in its history, by Turtlebun (Mud: A Golem Memoir) — November 19th
Earthdawn 4th Ed: Vasgothia and Champion’s Challenge Vol 2: A setting sourcebook and graphic novel for the Earthdawn RPG, by FASA Corporation (Earthdawn 4th Edition — Empty Thrones, Earthdawn 4th Edition — Iopos: Lair of Deceit, Earthdawn 4th Edition — The Adept’s Journey: Mystic Paths) — November 20th
Horror
Holler — An Appalachian Apocalypse for Savage Worlds: An Appalachian horror game based on Savage Worlds, by Pinnacle Entertainment — November 5th
Suburban Consumption of the Monstrous: An anthology of horror live-action RPGs set in suburbia with themes of food and consumption, written by Banana Chan and Sadia Bies, by Pelgrane Press (The Yellow King Roleplaying Game from Robin D. Laws, The Dracula Dossier) — November 18th
I generally stan Pelgrane, and this looks really excellent. I have absolutely backed it. — Amy
Urban Fantasy
Our Haunt by Jamila R. Nedjadi: A creepy-cozy TTRPG about a found family of ghosts and their haunted home, by Jay Dragon (Wanderhome, Sleepaway) — November 2nd
This one’s being published by Wanderhome creator, Jay Dragon, but the design is from Jamila R. Nedjadi of Balikbayan.
Dear Jess, I think this one’s for you. — Amy
Sci-Fi/Cyberpunk
Ecopunk 2044: An activist Cybernoir RPG about climate change, by Dice Kapital — October 30th
Robotech — Homefront: A sourcebook for Robotech: The Macross Saga, by Strange Machine Games (Valiant Wars) — November 2nd
Abilities Considered Unnatural: A dungeon crawl for the Mothership RPG, by Joel Hines (Desert Moon of Karth) — November 9th
Pulp & Adventure
Knights of the Round: Academy: An anime RPG inspired by shonen, robot anime & school drama anime, by Fumble GDR (Not The End Roleplaying Game) — October 28th
This update was made possible by Keenan Collett, Robert Carnel, and the rest of our Patreon supporters.
Talk about Kalymba (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/craftandogames/kalymba-the-roleplaying-game) a Brazilian RPG based on African culture.