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]

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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.

 

[Morthrai_17]

I heard that Matt Sprange has done another interview about the acquisition with some website called EN World, whoever they are Looking forward to that one.

 

[Morthrai_17]

For those who may be interested there is a long-established Dark Conspiracy Fans group on Facebook so look us up over there if you want
I also maintain a DC Fans Bluesky account where I post links to things that relate to RPGs in the conspiracy-horror-cyberpunk-weirdness genres, although there's not much on there at the moment. Maybe we can build that up a bit.

Now to seriously consider if it's worthwhile resurrecting my old fanzine...

Cheers!

 

[kronovan]

Something happened to me last Friday re this TTRPG. Before this thread I'd never heard of it. Then last Friday I was at a long-time gaming buddys and noticed a book on his many bookshelves with the same title - good thing he believes in "alphabitize or die." So...I picked it up and started browsing...then reading...and reading it. After a couple of hours my buddy suggested I just borrow it.

From what I've read it raises some questions. But before I ask a question, I have to say that the artwork in the 2nd ed book (it has a copyright date of 1991, so I'm assuming 2nd) is terrific and fits the themes well.

So about the system...I've seen mentioned in a number of places Twilight 2000, so is DC the same core TTRPG?
I've never read or played T2000, so I wouldn't know. If it is the same, I have to say that from what I've read I don't really care for it. It's not the level of crunch, but what seems like very dynamic target numbers and some derived stats that seem to build upon derived stats. I play & run Mythras, BRP, Cepheus Engine, Traveler, SWADE & PF2e, so I'm not afraid of some crunch. TBH I'm only done a brief read of the core rules, so no doubt I need to make another pass.
So that brings up another question; has Mongoose mentioned anywhere whether they'll preserve the original core system, tinker the original core, or adapt it to something else?

I read the background 1st and there's a lot I like - good foundation! Genre-wise, it seems to be a near future Post Apocalyptic-Dystopian-SciFi-Horror blend. I have a homebrew with some similarities, so no surprise there's lots in DC I can enjoy. When reading careers, one thing I noticed is that some of the more mundane ones, while seeming appropriate for a PA setting don't seem well suited to the other themes. I can't imagine any player from my gaming circles, choosing to play a Construction Worker, Factory Worker or Public Employee for this setting, to name just a few.

Thats a very long list of careers and they seem to slant it in the direction of simulationist, whereas the themes seem to pull it in a different direction, where more heroic careers, or dare I say gonzo, would be better suited. And why Civil Engineer and just not Engineer? I noticed there's no Electrician, so an Engineer with an Electrical or Electronic specialization would seem appropriate. On the other hand, some of the careers seem very well suited, i.e. Cyborg Escapee, Psychic Test Subject and Mystic - very cool! Genre-wise though, those seem to be at opposites with the mundane careers I mentioned earlier. It raises concerns for me, because although I like how careers (seem like Traveler and CE) work, I'd be hesitant to put a TTRPG in front of my players that had that many - I count about 60.
So a question...has there been any mention of whether Mongoose will attempt to preserve all those careers, or rework them?