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.

 

[TrippyHippy]

There seems to be an indication on the Mongoose site that not only are they aiming to release a new edition of Dark Conspiracy but also possibly another setting set in its spacefaring future. Only cursory info at the moment though.

 

[Morthrai_17]

I have no idea about what resources Lester B. Smith has, but I'm pretty sure that Mongoose has more resources available to make a better product. And of course, it would likely benefit from having the original main writer attached.

Lester did say he would have to run a crowdfunding campaign so I think you're right and Mongoose had the readies. Bit of a shame though, he wrote the original thing but has never actually owned it or been in control and he's such a nice guy it would have been great to see that come about.

 

[Morthrai_17]

View attachment 401705

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.

Minor correction - the second edition was published by Dynasty Presentations Inc in 1998. As for Kinstaff Media, I was a part of that project and basically we bit off a lot more than we could chew! We were just fans of the game and didn't have a team which is why it all fell apart. Mongoose have people so they should be OK and I'm interested to see where they go with it.

 

[Von Ether]

Minor correction - the second edition was published by Dynasty Presentations Inc in 1998. As for Kinstaff Media, I was a part of that project and basically we bit off a lot more than we could chew! We were just fans of the game and didn't have a team which is why it all fell apart. Mongoose have people so they should be OK and I'm interested to see where they go with it.

Don't knock yourself too hard. Most ttrpg game companies start that way - and then end that way as well. It is all a learning experience if you keep going.

 

[Morthrai_17]

Don't knock yourself too hard. Most ttrpg game companies start that way - and then end that way as well. It is all a learning experience if you keep going.

Oh, we were only ever a fan effort. Worst thing that happened was the leader & main contributor to the project, one of my oldest internet friends, burned himself out getting our edition finished. Doesn't do RPGs any more as far as I know and cut himself off from the rest of us a little while later

Anyway, very keen to see which direction Mongoose take things.

 

[Morthrai_17]

Interview with Mongoose Publishing's Matt Sprange on the YooChoobs about their plans for the Dark Conspiracy property, from Marcus Bone of Unbound Publishing.

 

[Jd Smith1]

I always wanted to run a campaign in DC, but I never had the chance.

Unlike most 'we battle evil' settings, the main evil in DC isn't subtle; they're punching into reality.