MCDM's New Tactical TTRPG Hits $1M Crowdfunding On First Day!

Matt Colville's MCDM is no stranger to crowdfunding, with three million dollar Kickstarters already under its belt. With the launch of The MCDM RPG, that makes four!

This new game is not a D&D variant or a supplement for D&D, which is what MCDM has focussed on so far. This is an all-new game which concentrates on tactical play, with a fulfilment goal of July 2025. It comes in two books--a 400-page 'Heroes' book and a 'Monsters' book which is an adaption of the existing Flee, Mortals!

The MCDM RPG

Whether you’re a group of local heroes sent to investigate mysterious goings-on in the nearby haunted wood, or famous mercenaries plotting and scheming in the big city, the MCDM RPG makes building adventures and fighting monsters fun.

www.backerkit.com

The game takes aim at traditional d20 fantasy gaming, referring to the burden of 'sacred cows from the 1970s', but point out that it's not a dungeon crawling or exploration game--its core activity is fighting monsters. The system is geared towards tactical combat--you roll 2d6, add an attribute, and do that damage; there's no separate attack roll.

At $40 for the base Heroes PDF and $70 for the hardcover (though there are discounts for both books if you buy them together), it's not a cheap buy-in, but with over 4,000 backers already that's not deterring anybody!

Even more ambitiously, one of the stretch goals is a Virtual Tabletop (VTT). There's already a working prototype of it.

 

[Zaukrie]

Legit. I know the feeling. It’s cheaper to stick to digital formats and much better for the environment than the cost of producing and shipping books everywhere. Especially for games you may not actually end up playing

I find I actually remember and use the physical books more (except for digital DNDBEYOND stuff which I use their tools).

 

[Zaukrie]

I'm likely to back at the PDF level.....can always change my mind and back out if needed (this is so big a few people doing that won't kill them).

I'd kind of like more monsters that we don't already have, but I get it.....also, more adventures would be great! Just convert the Arcadia stuff....

 

[SteveC]

Is "MCDM RPG" the final name? Interesting choice, if so.

It is not. Matt talked about that. Apparently they have a few names thought out but he expected that if you used them, someone would just say "what's that?" and then you'd say "it's the MDCM rpg." It actually makes sense as I think of titles like Tales of the Valliant.

 

[overgeeked]

Is "MCDM RPG" the final name? Interesting choice, if so.

Probably not. Up until the Kickstarter launched for Flee, Mortals! that project was called “the MCDM monster book.” Since physical delivery is not until mid 2025 sometime, they’ll likely find a name between now and then.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It is not. Matt talked about that. Apparently they have a few names thought out but he expected that if you used them, someone would just say "what's that?" and then you'd say "it's the MDCM rpg." It actually makes sense as I think of titles like Tales of the Valliant.

Yeah, they're in a tough spot in a way. Their existing fans, who are throwing money at this project right now, for sure know it as "MCDM RPG." But presumably they hope to grow beyond that core audience, and having a name that suggests absolutely nothing to the broader audience will be a hindrance.

I imagine the brainstorming sessions are tough.

 

[overgeeked]

I find I actually remember and use the physical books more (except for digital DNDBEYOND stuff which I use their tools).

Yeah. There’s something about the physicality of a book and your memory placing things in relation to each other that just doesn’t seem to happen with digital stuff.

 

[aco175]

Here is the 50 minute video talking about it. I do like his excitement talking about it and hope is is good. From what I hear and see, it looks like something to consider.

 

[overgeeked]

Yeah, they're in a tough spot in a way. Their existing fans, who are throwing money at this project right now, for sure know it as "MCDM RPG." But presumably they hope to grow beyond that core audience, and having a name that suggests absolutely nothing to the broader audience will be a hindrance.

I imagine the brainstorming sessions are tough.

According to the video linked just before this post, they have a short list of names but haven’t decided on one yet.

 

[Velderan]

I find I actually remember and use the physical books more (except for digital DNDBEYOND stuff which I use their tools).

It is certainly easier to download a PDF and throw it into a folder only to forget about it than it is to forget you have a book IME.

 

[agrayday]

That limited edition box with the mini sold out (999 available copies @ $500.00 a pop) within two hours. People seem to have a lot more money to spend on RPGs now, than when i was teen/young adult in the 80s. I recall saving up cash just to try and stay somewhat current with the game releases our group played.