Marvel to Launch Official 'MARVEL MULTIVERSE' Tabletop Role-Playing Game in 2022

Matt Forbeck announced on Twitter that he’s working on a new in-house D616 Marvel RPG due for a 2022 release! It looks like there will be an open playtest.



What’s the D617 System? “… the all-new D616 System, an accessible and easy-to-learn system for newcomers to tabletop RPGs and a natural evolution for those familiar with the most popular tabletop role-playing games on the market. Use Might, Agility, Resilience, Vigilance, Ego, and Logic to win the day, and discover your true abilities as you face impossible odds!”

Marvel to Launch Official 'MARVEL MULTIVERSE' Tabletop Role-Playing Game in 2022

Use the all-new D616 game system to embody your favorite Super Heroes and Super Villains like never before!

www.marvel.com

 

[Lidgar]

D616 is a reference to the damage Thanos does when he snaps his fingers.

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

D616 could be something as simple as the game system using 2d6 and a d10: d6 d10 d6 or 616.

edited for typos

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

I also might point out that the latest Star Wars RPG uses a whole series of dice specifically designed for that game and that game only.

Dont underestimate "Marvel" brand D16 packs. Put Hulk and whoever on the package and sell em for 15 bucks a crack anywhere.

I have very fond memories of the FASERIP system. We all played some games that were with original characters (though honestly, we were kids and most of them were just different versions of existing superheroes with the serial numbers filed off) and other sessions matching up official characters ("what would happen if The Punisher and Jubilee had to work together?").

 

[aramis erak]

The fact that he has to explain it multiple times suggests that many users aren't seeing that as a user-friend character generation method.

That someone else at MWP caved and added a random gen subsystem as an add-on also shows that Cam's view wasn't shared by all of MWP.

They're doing a portmanteau of "d20" and "616" (the number for the Marvel's comic book continuity). They're just trying to be cute for marketing; they aren't going to invent some brand-new dice convention.

It's highly likely that customized dice are a thing to expect. Why? Disney has seen the numbers on FFG's Star Wars. For a group that buys 1 core and 0-6 supplements, they're likely to sell 6-10 sets of dice, with a loss of a chunk of sales due to grog reactions. A d6+d16 wouldbe the same TN ranges as d20. and would justify those customized dice, as d16's have been available for 30 years commercially, and the patent is expired. It would be a great way to get even grogs to buy new dice, and if they keep them numerical, avoiding the "must buy our dice" of FFG's approach.

 

[Tonguez]

Fans who pick up the Playtest Rulebook will also have a chance “to help shape the game” by offering feedback on rules before its full release in 2023. (How exactly will be announced later.)

As to D616 we’ve already got the first 6 in the MARVEL stats so I’m guessing its a D6 system keyed off those Stats, the enigma is how they fit in the 1 or 10

 

[Micah Sweet]

So... non-traditional design principles in no way means "not designed for newcomers".

Non-traditional design is sometimes hard for people who have already got expectations and play patterns set by traditonal designs. If you've played a lot of D&D, and not much else, then PbtA or Fate can seem really weird. But, if you don't have any gaming habits, there's nothing particularly difficult about picking up non-traditional designs.

Good point. I guess my bias came into play there. I'm hoping for something closer to 5e than Fate.

 

[Tonguez]

Good point. I guess my bias came into play there. I'm hoping for something closer to 5e than Fate.

not for a super heroes game, I dont think DnD presumptions work for Supers especially for Marvel where you have Hawkeye and Black Widow in the same team as Hulk and Spiderman

 

[Enevhar Aldarion]

It's also interesting to see they're going the PF2 route of selling a physical playtest book.

If you click the link and go to the official marvel.com article, down at the bottom is says "on sale Spring 2022" And the very first line at the top says "available starting Spring 2022 wherever graphic novels and books are sold."

So yeah, something will be charged for it. How much we will not know for a while. But considering what core books cost, I would expect around $20.

 

[Umbran]

Good point. I guess my bias came into play there. I'm hoping for something closer to 5e than Fate.

Understandable.

I think traditional design works well when you want characters to be able to do very specific things, and it starts to fall apart when characters step outside the standard menu options. But superhero powers are often about stepping outside of the standard menu. Thus, I think something with a bit more narrative than precise tactical approaches are in order.

 

[Micah Sweet]

not for a super heroes game, I dont think DnD presumptions work for Supers especially for Marvel where you have Hawkeye and Black Widow in the same team as Hulk and Spiderman

As long as they don't go in an excessively narrative direction trying to make it work, I'll be happy. That was my issue with Marvel Heroic.