This week, a (controversial) new third-party license for the Cortex RPG, the influence of RPGs on video games, and a hoard of 5e projects on Kickstarter.
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Fandom releases a controversial license for creating free third-party material for Cortex Prime. The license has been criticised for being highly restrictive, and for limiting the platforms where material can be published.
Mongoose Publishing releases a “State of the Mongoose” update for 2021.
D&D in the Media
PC Gamer looks at the influence of Dungeons & Dragons on video games.
The Guardian talks Dungeons & Dragons and social anxiety.
New & Upcoming
Vampire: The Masquerade video game adaptation, Swansong, is delayed a second time.
Bundles & Deals
Bundle of Holding is offering a bundle of Forged in the Dark books, two bundles of Paranoia books, a bundle of Liminal books, and Indie Cornucopia 9.
Humble Bundle is offering a bundle of Cyberpunk RPG books, a bundle of 5e third-party books, and two bundles of 3d-printable miniatures.
Crowdfunding News
Noteworthy New Projects
Beyond the Blue Nebula: A collection of Sci-Fi battlemaps, by Loke Battlemats (The Dungeon — Set of 2 Modular Books of Battle Mats for RPG, Towns & Taverns. 2 Modular Books of Battle Mats for Roleplay, The Wilderness Books of Modular Maps for Tabletop Roleplay). So far this project has raised £38,000 ($50,000) from 2,200 backers. Ends December 6th
Closing Soon
Reach of the Roach God is a system-neutral campaign inspired by the caves of South East Asia. So far this project has raised S$127,000 ($92,000) from 12,000 backers. Ends December 8th
It has certainly been a stand out year for showcasing the South East Asia RPG scene to North America and Europe, and during a period of pretty generic projects, this one stands out. I have a particular fondness for black and white projects, and this book looks fantastic. It is also notable that this project is being funded with Singapore Dollars and not hosted by a US or European company, which has been the norm up until this point. — James
Yarg’s Guide to Puzzles & Traps is a book of puzzles and traps for 5e. So far this project has raised $72,000 from 12,000 backers. Ends December 14th
5e
Roll & Play: The Game Master’s Christmas Essentials: A collection of tools for festive RPGs, by Roll & Play Press (Roll & Play: The Fantasy Character Kit) — December 8th
Shotglass Rounds 3: A collection of one-shot adventures for 5e, by Laidback Dungeon Master (Shotglass Adventures, Dungeons Your Party Will Die For, Maps Your Party Will Die For) — December 8th
Book of Assassin and Criminal Contracts: A collection of criminal adventures for 5e, by Jason DM (Bounty Hunts Vol 1: Contracts for 5E, Book of Bounty and Treasure Hunts for 5E, Criminal Contracts For 5E) — December 10th
The Dungeon Master’s Deck: A deck of world-,quest- and character-building cards for 5e, by Roll the Dice Games — December 16th
Mag of Holding — Breath of the Feywild: A book of Feywild-themed rules & adventures, by Paddy Finn (Aizendore’s Vault of Tragic Treasure — Magic Items for 5e, Mag of Holding — Pirates and Seafaring Book for 5e YAAARGH!, Mag of Holding — Gothic Horror — Book For DnD 5e) — December 17th
The Goblings — A Whimsical Adventure: A strange and slimy goblin adventure for 5e, by Bodie H (Slowquest Character Cards: a tool for creating heroes & npcs, Slowquest Stick-A-Hero) — December 21st
Tome of Wondrous Items for 5th Edition: A book of magic items and monsters for 5e, by Necromancer Games (Tome of Horrors 2020 for Fifth Edition by Necromancer Games, Tome of Alchemy: Magic Item and Potion Creation for 5e, Necropolis: An Epic Adventure in the Desert Sand) — December 23rd
Fey Encounters (5E): A collection of Feywild encounters for 5e, by T.A. Grey (The Wondrous Tome of Wands) — December 23rd
Wild Shapes Deck + Expansion: A deck of animal cards for wild shapes, pets and familiars, by Arcan Goods (Arcana Note: 5E Leather Journal & Adventure Kit, Dice Aurora, Arcana Notebook) — December 24th
The Shitty Not Compendium: A collection of shitty ideas for 5e, by Sam Comerford — December 26th
Hand drawn Tabletop Maps for D&D or any RPG: A collection of hand-drawn battlemaps for 5e, by XploringMap (Dungeon Battle-Maps, The Old Mine — RPG Adventure. Dungeon Battle Maps + Minis, 60 Tabletop Maps for Dungeons and Dragons or any RPG) — December 30th
Murder at Morley’s Workshop for D&D 5e RPG: A winter One-Shot for 5e, by Dark Realm Roleplay (The Bones of Kalkratha: An Adventure for DnD 5th Edition, 10 Dungeon Escape Room Battle Mats — RPG Maps, RPG Maps Zine — Issue 1 — with Descriptions and Plot Hooks) — January 4th
OSR & Retro
Delver #3: A magazine of tools for OSR games, by James Floyd Kelly (Tavern Tales #1: Lair of the Battle Mage RPG Adventure Zine, Delver, Delver #2) — December 12th
Old-School Armory: A guide to equipment for OSR games, by Grand Time Games — December 16th
Other & Generic Fantasy
The City Attractions Package: A supplement with city landmarks & attractions, by Evil Pigeon Games (The Flotsam Fair, The Night Market, The Halfling Food Festival) — January 1st
Urban Fantasy
Things That Go Squeak in the Night: An RPG about mice in an urban fantasy world, by Gallant Knight Games (Tiny Dungeon: Second Edition, Monster Hunter International RPG: Savage Worlds Edition, Tiny Supers: Minimalist Superhero Roleplaying) — December 10th
Hell Night: A doom biker RPG, by Gavriel Quiroga (Neurocity, Warpland, Ascet) — January 22nd
Sci-Fi/Cyberpunk
Salvage Union: A post-apocalyptic mech RPG using the Quest system, by Leyline Press (Andromeda: Module for Mothership Sci-Fi Horror RPG) — January 5th
Anthologies
LATAM Breakout: Five games from emerging creators in Latin America, by SoulMuppet Publishing (Orbital Blues, Best Left Buried: Deeper, The Stygian Library: Remastered) — December 7th
We meant to include this project in our previous post, but inadvertently missed it out. There’s still time to back it — just.
Just as we have seen a lot of projects highlighting the South East Asia scene this year, this one is seeking to highlight the RPG scene in Latin America, with UK-based SoulMuppet Publishing around to help with the administration.
VTTs and Online Tools
Black Box RPG Map Maker: An AI-powered 3D map maker, by Fantastic Art Studios — December 18th
Licensed Board, Card & Miniatures Games
Pathfinder Arena: A competitive board game set in the Pathfinder world, by Giochi Uniti — December 13th
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