This week, I review RPG crowdfunding projects that end between November 9th and the 17th. This sampling includes lots of original systems and Halloween themed projects plus two offerings from the kids on bikes genre. Check out Kickstarter, GameFound, Backerkit, IndieGoGo, and GameOnTabletop for more options.
Cowboy Bebop - The Roleplaying Game from Mana Project Studio
Kids on Bikes: Second Edition from Hunters Books
Pinebox Middle School & The Horror Companion Double Feature from Pinnacle Entertainment Group
The Session Zero System from Mythic Grove
Hunter’s Full Moon Trilogy (5e) from Midnight Tower
Home: The Haunted House Map Building RPG from Wet Ink Games
Scion: God from Onyx Path Publishing
StokerVerse Roleplaying Game from Nightfall Games
Carrion Lands from Gallant Knight Games
Cowboy Bebop - The Roleplaying Game from Mana Project Studio
- END DATE: Wed, November 16 2022 4:30 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): An original system
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: €49 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
- TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: Cowboy Bebop Roleplaying Game – Quickstart is free at DriveThruRPG
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? 240 pages of spacefaring bounty hunting as you and your crew track down fugitives to reap just enough Woolongs to squeak by. This popular series didn’t work at Netflix, but as a tabletop RPG it’s finding its audience. The artwork is all from the anime meaning the book the best of the series. Don’t Panic Games is partnering with Mana Project Studio to make this a reality, and they went the distance with an original system as well as the authentic artwork. The campaign also offers custom d6s with Spike Spiegel, Faye Valentine, Ed, and Jet Black’s faces in place of the “6”. If you’re a fan of Cowboy Bebop or sci-fi bounty hunting, this campaign is worth checking out.
Kids on Bikes: Second Edition from Hunters Books
- END DATE: Wed, November 9 2022 8:59 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Kids on Bikes 2nd Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $45 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the core rulebook
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Much like cyberpunk the genre encompasses an RPG of the same name (Cyberpunk RED), which is one of the two most beloved tabletop versions of that style of fiction, the kids on bikes genre has a same-named RPG that is one of the two most beloved options for gaming stories of kids during the height of bicycle culture. My first experience with Kids on Bikes was run by Sean Hillman of EN World and Multiverse Con fame. He did a great session that included a gimmick in which we had cellphones and we rolled to see how much juice they had left. In a child safe game, your cellphone dying can be traumatic. All of that is to say that I’ve had some great experiences with Kids on Bikes and I can’t wait to check out the second edition. In the new edition, expect more power options for your character, greater player control when it comes to violence, and guidance for how to make monsters in this system. If you want to play as kids solving mysteries, this campaign offers a refreshed ruleset and stretch goal Adventure Zines.
Pinebox Middle School & The Horror Companion Double Feature from Pinnacle Entertainment Group
- END DATE: Thu, November 10 2022 8:00 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Savage Worlds Adventure Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebooks
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $200 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the boxed set with all of the books, cards, tokens, maps, and more
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This campaign offers two Savage Worlds products under the horror theme. First up is the Horror Companion, a collection of SW rules to enhance the horror elements in your game. The other is a kids on bikes genre setting book, Pinebox Middle School. The most popular pledge level gives you book products so you can go full horror or middle school horror or anything between leaving the decision to you. If you’re a Savage Worlds fan and a horror fan, this campaign has what you’re looking for.
The Session Zero System from Mythic Grove
- END DATE: Thu, November 10 2022 3:19 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): System neutral
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $10 for the PDF of the project
- TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: The Session Zero System [Preview] is free at DriveThruRPG
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This product is exactly what the title says: A system for maximizing your session zero. Session zero establishes the campaign’s lore, table expectations, and characters. This product helps you to get more out the session with interconnected backstories, better storytelling tools, and alternative safety tools. Because many RPGs do not address session zero in-depth, if you’re looking for a system neutral option to guide your session zeros, this is worth exploring.
Hunter’s Full Moon Trilogy (5e) from Midnight Tower
- END DATE: Thu, November 10 2022 10:00 AM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Adventure module
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £40 + £10 S/H to the US for the hardcover plus multiple PDFs and VTT assets
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? 160 pages presenting three fantasy adventures for 5e. The three adventures are: “Call of the Wild,” “Deeper into the Woods,” and “Under the Black Mountains” as well as content like “Gudrun Åskdottri’s Guide to the Wild.” There’s original monsters, NPCs, lore, and VTT assets. If you’re looking for adventures that take you into the Wild, then this book is calling out to you.
Home: The Haunted House Map Building RPG from Wet Ink Games
- END DATE: END DATE: Sat, November 12 2022 10:00 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): An original system
- PROJECT TYPE: Core ruleset
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $40 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of this project
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This is a map making RPG in which your characters explore a haunted house. Coming as a rulebook, 200 Tarot sized cards, counters, and more, you’ll explore a house and as you encounter new rooms, you’ll draw them and learn their tragic history. If your gaming table is interested in collaborating on a haunted house, this is worth exploring.
Scion: God from Onyx Path Publishing
- END DATE: Nov 17, 2022 at 11:00am PST.
- CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
- SYSTEM(S): Scion
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $55 + S/H for the PDF, POD, and print versions of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Scion deals in the children of the gods in a modern setting. Starting with Origin, Hero, and Demigod, you’ve been able to build up your godlings, their pantheons, and the mortal world. With Scion: God, you can add the major powers, the parents, those that have a different set of duties than your characters. This sourcebook gives you rules to address the gods and really become one. If you’re a fan of Scion or you want to play gods in our world today, Scion: God is a must have book.
StokerVerse Roleplaying Game from Nightfall Games
- END DATE: Thu, November 17 2022 12:59 PM EST.
- SYSTEM(S): S5S system
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: £60 + S/H for the PDF and print version of the core rulebook plus the GM pack
- ADDITIONAL COVERAGE: Read more about this project at EN World (here)
- TRY BEFORE YOU BUY: StokerVerse Roleplaying Game: Quickstart is PWYW at DriveThruRPG
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? 192 pages of gaming rules for Bram Stoker’s Dracula! Set in the Victorian Era, this game pits you against the vampire courts, making you a vampire hunter. Dacre Stoker, the great-grandnephew of Bram and the custodian of his legacy, is part of the team creating this book. In fact, that makes this a stand out project because of it’s creative lineage back to the original creator. If you’re a fan, check out the campaign page for a free preview.
Carrion Lands from Gallant Knight Games
- END DATE: Nov 17, 2022 at 12:01pm PST.
- CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
- SYSTEM(S): An original OSR system
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $50 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? 120 pages of doom, grimdark fantasy from the mind of Alan Bahr. Using an OSR system, your character will awaken confused, naked, and doomed among the Carrion Lands. Your goal is survival. However, combat and resources are a constant concern. If you’re looking for a grimdark OSR that is set against the characters, this is worth exploring.
