Dungeonesque: Is 5E's 'Pathfinder' Already Here?

As you probably noticed, a new System Reference Document for D&D 5E was released under the Open Gaming License yesterday. Already fans and publishers alike are planning their third-party releases to support the game. There's another interesting development, though -- it seems that clones of the game are appearing already! Stan Shinn, who runs a D&D community over on Google+, has launched an Indiegogo fundraising campaign for a two-booklet red-box project called Dungeonesque: Red Box RPG. Described as "a 5E Compatible RPG Done in Red Box Style", it is very reminiscent of Frank Mentzer's 1983 version of D&D.

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This product consists of two booklets - a Player's Guide and a Gamester's Guide. It includes the four basic classes of Fighter, Cleric, Wizard, and Thief, all up to 15th level. As mentioned, it's on Indiegogo with a $1,500 funding goal (though Indiegogo pays out even if the goal isn't met). You get the PDFs for $5, and print-on-demand copies will be available through DTRPG. Interestingly, despite the name it's not actually a box, but that leads us to the next item....

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Now this one is definitely a box! By the same creator, this will be called Dungeonesque: White Box RPG which contains an entire line of books. Characters & Combat, Eldritch Wizardry, Worlds & Adventure, Concise Bestiary, and so on. "A BOX SET of 5.5 x 8.5" booklets. The first three booklets will make you think of a certain White Box set of old, and will be a complete 5e compatible fantasy game supporting Wizard, Thief, Fighter, and Cleric Classes! Great for basic play with cheap booklets to give to new or old-school veteran players. Plus a series of fantastic gaming aids for sandbox adventuring on the fly! We've already prototyped the content. Booklets will be around 48 pages each."

The White Box isn't up for funding yet. That will happen later in the year.

Interesting times, indeed!

 

[fjw70]

I don't get the point at all. Why would I play this instead of straight 5E?

Here is an answer from the FAQ that I like.

The 5e Basic Rules published by WOTC are great and certainly are useful for printing. They clock in at 115 pages, have no cover, and no interior art. Dungeonesque will provide a streamlined alternative set of rules that run around 40 pages, have interior art, and a beautiful cover (and in fact, we'll make sure you have multiple, beautiful cover options). Both products cover the same set of rules.

 

[Riley]

This (or more precisely, a 5e-compatible version of of Moldvay's BX, but close enough) is something I have been hoping for!

 

[Arnwolf]

I will never understand why art is even a factor for the quality, playability, or enjoyment of an RPG to anyone. Not a criticism, just an observation that dumbfounds me.

 

[Arnwolf]

I am a very big fan of people doing exactly this. If they design the game I like and iron out the problems I don't like the go for it. Shave off the serial numbers and build a better product. Thank you very much.

 

[Morrus]

I will never understand why art is even a factor for the quality, playability, or enjoyment of an RPG to anyone. Not a criticism, just an observation that dumbfounds me.

It actually dumbfounds you?

 

[doctorbadwolf]

At the very least, I think they'll wait and see what happens. I'm actually shocked WotC took that step, and can't help but wonder if it may come back to bite them. (The opposite is, of course, possible as well. But I don't see any great downside to waiting, so...)

Well, if you make something with FR intending to sell it, you have to do so through them, right? It's not like the OGL.

 

[MartyW]

BTW - There are others making similar efforts.... Meet the B/X-5 Core Rules:
http://ragingowlbear.blogspot.com/2016/01/bx-5-dnd-5e-compatible-bx-rules.html

Elf conversions (work in progress preview):
http://ragingowlbear.blogspot.com/2016/01/bx-5-design-log-elf-conversion.html

 

[steppedonad4]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Betteridge's_law_of_headlines

Also, this doesn't really seem like anything other than a repackaging of the SRD. There's very little in the way of original content. Everything seems stripped down rather than being used as a base for anything creative.

 

[darjr]

I will never understand why art is even a factor for the quality, playability, or enjoyment of an RPG to anyone. Not a criticism, just an observation that dumbfounds me.

It fires the imagination and informs upon a theme. Both of which are vital to a game. I can do without the art but I'd rather not.

 

[mach1.9pants]

And in the same way I love physical books cos they're books, I love art in my books. I love the smell of books and also just looking at the art inspiring me. I wonder how long I spent just looking at the Elmore pic in the 2e PHB of the successful Dragon hunters, but it was a long time! Still look at it often nowadays