Andrew Peregrine

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Andrew Peregrine

Andrew Peregrine

In looking at examples of great game mechanics I don’t often pick a modern system. But I’ve not seen a system as well designed as Alien since Pendragon – and I don’t say that lightly. Free League’s (Fria Ligan) Alien game is a masterclass in not only how to reflect a license but how to make a game system work. I’ll admit I came to the game for the amazing art, but I stayed for the game design...
Watching the trailer for the upcoming movie No Time to Die (the 25th Bond film) I realized it was about time to share a bit of love for one of my favorite long out of print games. While Ghostbusters is often held up as one of the greatest early licensed games, for me its James Bond 007. The game appeared in 1983 from Avalon Hill’s RPG imprint Victory Games, designed by Gerard Christopher Klug...
Anyone who knows me will wonder why it took me so long to get round to what is probably my favorite game of all time. However, I'm sad to say that in this example I'm not going to talk about the numbers. First Edition 7th Sea had some rather basic rules problems (mainly the importance of traits). While Second Edition actually fixes many of those issues, that isn't as useful as you might think...
Yes, you are reading that right, Tails of Equestria, that horse game. I am indeed talking about that game following the adventures of Pinky Pie, Twilight Sparkle and their friends in the magical land of Equestria where 'My Little Pony' is set. What is so great about it I'm adding it to a series that has previously featured Pendragon? Well, not only is it actually a great game (and I say that...
With so many amazing ‘geek friendly’ shows on television at the moment, it’s not rare that I start watching another and think ‘this would make an amazing RPG’. This was doubly the case for me with ‘Carnival Row’ (now showing on Amazon) since I used to work on Victoriana for Cubicle 7. So I was pleased, but also surprised, to see the sudden appearance of ‘The Carnival Row RPG’ as a free PDF...
Having taken a look at Pendragon, it should come as no surprise that I noticed plenty of other games out there that can teach us a lot of about game design. So it’s time to take a look at one of the most underrated games I’ve ever known - Smallville.
A couple of years ago, Monte Cook Games began an experiment, kickstarting a project called Invisible Sun. The game itself has plenty of interesting ideas, and an amazing (although not unique) setting. But one thing that makes it stand out is the price. The core box set will set you back around $250, three or four times the price of most high end core books. However, one look inside the box...
We all have our favorite games, but even the ones we love often have flaws we overlook or imperfections we happily house rule. However, there is one game that I find myself unable to find any flaws in. In my opinion, it is the greatest RPG system ever designed, a masterclass in simple and clean mechanics that smoothly support the game setting. I’m talking about Greg Stafford’s King Arthur...
Gen Con is amazing, and a place every gamer should try to get to see if they can at least once. A glorious and heaving mass of games and gaming all (only just) packed into Indianapolis. It has grown each year recently, now spreading beyond the vast convention hall into at least five other hotels and the huge Lucas Oil Stadium (home of the Indianapolis Colts, so I'm told). It's an incredible...
I’d like to ask you a favor. The next time (or ideally every time) you buy an RPG product, leave a short review. You might not think your opinion is that important, or that a line or two on a Drivethrurpg review is any use. But I promise you, it really helps in a lot of ways.

Origins Report: Huge, Friendly...and Penguins

So, having got back from the Origins Game Fair, I thought it seemed a good idea to share some of my experiences there while I'm getting over jet lag. However, this is not an article about new releases or recent gaming news. That sort of thing is already excellently covered by the marvelous Egg Embry and the EN team. So instead I spent some of the con making a note of anything interesting I came across. So this is something of a very personal ramble of stuff I found interesting. All of the following can be found online with a quick google, I urge you to give them a closer look.

Uneasy Partnerships

The gaming industry is generally a very helpful and friendly place. But sometimes relationships can be strained between the very people whose partnership is the heart of the industry: producers and retailers. In the age of digital publishing and internet ordering, it has become harder and harder to do well as a games retailer. In this article I hope to offer some insight into where the difficulties in the industry lie to help customers support both retailers and games producers.

Games That Changed How We Play

There are a lot of role-playing games out there, and almost all of them have something none of the others have. But a few stand out for offering such a new idea that it can change the way we play, or inspire other designers with new ideas. This list is really a fraction of ‘games that changed the industry’. You can probably add plenty more. But as a place to start in looking at some of the most innovative games on the market, this will do for now. If you happen to be unfamiliar with any of the following, I hope you take some time to check them out.

Don't Use the Internet, It's Silly Season!

With April fool’s day upon us, it may be time to take a break from anything grim and perilous or gothically dark and try something a little sillier. There are a lot of comedy games out there, and while not all of them play well as a campaign they can offer memorable one off adventures. Playing something a little silly can also be a good way to clean the palate. They are usually very simple to dive into and offer the opportunity to go a little crazy. Nothing is off the table and the most stupid ideas are the most entertaining. Play the character that usually makes a mess of any party and have a blast. Get all the craziness out of your system in one glorious night of insanity and then you can return to some serious gaming refreshed and renewed.

Tough Truths About the Game Industry

If you're new to the game industry, you've probably heard a lot of myths about publishing. The truth is more complicated -- and, if you're planning to publish your new game, perhaps more encouraging.

Unsung Heroes of the Gaming Industry

Role-playing games clearly use a lot of writers and artists, but these people are only one part of the team that gets a book published. The rest of this team are often underappreciated even though their work is just as essential. But writing and art remain the jobs people think of when they want to ‘get into the gaming industry’. They are the ‘actors’ rather than the ‘backstage staff’ in gaming. So, as I also work backstage as a lighting technician in theatre, I felt it was time to grant these unsung roles some applause.

This Week in TTRPG


Reviews

A new spin on a retro form of text adventure games.
A one-shot adventure which evokes the generational horror of Stephen King.
A beginner adventure written by comics writer Jim Zub.
An excellent introduction to the 40K universe.

Dungeons & Dragons

Garr is obsessed with proving that he’s better at it than you are—no matter what it is.
New individual-packed unpainted minis available for pre-order
The full table of contents leaked by YouTuber 'Gamemasters'.
One of only two TTRPG creators with four separate million dollar Kickstarters!
Plus UI changes and more product information in listings.
There's "something like" Baldur's Gate 3 coming.

Industry News

Passes the million dollar mark with just a day to go.
After a disappointing 2023, latest earnings call from Hasbro shows tabletop games starting to recover.
Publisher of video games, Star Wars TTRPG, and owner of Middle Earth Enterprises restructures after turbulent year.
Twitter thinks there's a new WotC president who will give you a baby dragon.
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