Mongoose Publishing Acquires Dark Conspiracy RPG

Mongoose Publishing has acquired the rights to the Dark Conspiracy RPG, originally published in 1991 by Game Designers' Workshop. The game is set in the near future in the United States, and is described as a 'dark horror' game. The US is made of massive 'metroplexes' surrounded by the lawless 'Out-Law' areas and mysterious 'Demongrounds' which spawn dark monsters.

There have been three editions of the game since 1991. The 2nd Edition was published in 1995 by Dark Conspiracy Enterprises, and the 3rd Edition in 2012 by Kinstaff Media. The new Mongoose edition is expected in 2026.

The original creator, Lester W. Smith was also trying to acquire the property. Yesterday he posted on his blog that he failed to secure the rights--

I did my best, folks. Made an offer, had it approved, negotiated for some final wording about the state of previous licenses, and learned last week that the IP was being sold to someone else.

This isn't the first game that Mongoose has acquired in recent months. In October 2024 it acquired Twilight 2000 and 2300 AD, and in August 2024 the company announced that it had acquired the rights to Traveller from creator Marc Miller.

 

[BigJackBrass]

I wonder if they'll be reprinting Mike Stackpole's novels.

 

[payn]

I wonder if they'll be reprinting Mike Stackpole's novels.

Oh I didnt know those existed!

 

[agrayday]

Lester W. Smith the creator used the 2ed of TW2000 rules for Dark Conspiracy, but was also the designer of the two boardgames "Temple of the Beastmen" and Dark Conspiracy setting "Minion Hunter". Both of which i played as a kid.

Lester was also a designer working in the "Dragon Dice" product line.

He made a post back in December on his blog (lestersmith.com), stating he was hoping to get the license back for Dark Conspiracy RPG.

Yesterday (4/6/25) he posted this:

This post is mainly for those remaining Dark Conspiracy RPG fans, many of whom have recently encouraged me to purchase the IP and resurrect it.

I did my best, folks. Made an offer, had it approved, negotiated for some final wording about the state of previous licenses, and learned last week that the IP was being sold to someone else.

 

[Grendel_Khan]

Lester W. Smith the creator used the 2ed of TW2000 rules for Dark Conspiracy...

That choice of system was the main reason I never actually ran Dark Conspiracy back in the day. So, on balance, I'm good with Mongoose getting the license instead.

 

[Wofano Wotanto]

I'd have far rather have seen this go Smith.

 

[sevenbastard]

I WISH Free League would have picked this up. But they have ao much already.

 

[Von Ether]

I never got around to playing this but of course I loved the cover. For those who did play it, what was it like? And what was it about?

 

[Enaknomolos]

Free League would do it prettier, but I'd much rather see it using the Traveller system. For me, GDW should have made that their house system back in the day anyway.

(I'd also still rather T:2000 was done in Trav, although I don't think Mongoose would have produced as good a package away from the core mechanics as FL have)

 

[MGibster]

I didn't see this coming. I haven't played DC is about thirty years, and I didn't know anyone had a lot of fond memories of the game. I see it mentioned on rare occasion, but didn't think there was a whole lot of love for it. I'm interested in seeing what Mongoose does with it and look forward to the release.