Where’s The Deathstalker RPG? Part 2

Following up on the first installment, we review the success of Deathstalker-related crowdfunding efforts, what publisher might take on the challenge of publishing a Deathstalker RPG, and the odd we’ll ever see one soon.

Deathstalker: For Love and Money​

Deathstalker features action, gorgeous poster artwork from Boris Vallejo, and nostalgia, a potent combination for any TTRPG fans of a certain age. As discussed in the “Where’s The Beastmaster Roleplaying Game?” article, publishers create tabletop roleplaying games for love and money. Creating the Deathstalker Roleplaying Game, like any TTRPG, would be a labor of love, so let’s talk about the economics of the equation.

Deathstalker was the subject of two 2024 crowdfunding campaigns. These Kickstarters weren’t TTRPG related, but they give us some insight into the amount of money that the property might raise:

• Vault Comics’ Slash presents DEATHSTALKER Kickstarter by Tim Seeley, Jim Terry, and Steven Kostanski reached 645 backers that pledged $51,177 in 2023.
• Steven Kostanski's DEATHSTALKER Kickstarter reached 592 backers that pledged $95,457 in 2024.
• RELATED ENTRY: Lawrie Brewster's The Slave and the Sorcerer - Sword & Sorcery HORROR MOVIE! Kickstarter, which takes inspiration from the Deathstalker series but is not an official Deathstalker film, reached 803 backers that pledged £78,751 in June, 2023. Plus, they did a stretch campaign that added 90 backers who pledged an additional £7,446 in July, 2023.

Using these numbers, any Deathstalker TTRPG would reach 600 to 900 fans of the film plus any audience the RPG publisher brings to the table. Raising a goal of $50,000 via crowdfunding is feasible.

Because these movies feature Boris Vallejo posters and the comics have artwork from Jim Terry and Nathan Gooden, that gorgeous art along with photos from the movies could and should be recycled in any Deathstalker TTRPG. A hypothetical publisher could save a bit of budget when creating this TTRPG by repurposing existing images. Fans would welcome the posters, covers, comic panels, and actor photos from Deathstalker gracing an RPG of the same name. This book could offer some context and a bit of the visual history of the Deathstalker franchise to make this part RPG and part film history.

What Publisher Might Take on the Deathstalker TTRPG?​

As discussed, this series of movies is not for everyone. Along the same lines, this project will not fit into every publisher’s publishing plan. While researching this article, at least one publisher let me know that producing a Deathstalker TTRPG is not on their publishing wishlist. Which makes sense because a publisher needs to believe in the properties that they publish.

Assuming that there’s interest, a hypothetical publisher needs to bring a few items to the table. Among those, the ability to work with the licensor. Andreas Walters offered some guidance on the subject here (the comments on this Facebook post about the article are also illuminating). Working with a licensor means Shout Factory, Slash, and Steven Kostanski plus distributor Raven Banner Entertainment and, potentially, Vault Comics. The Deathstalker Kickstarters mentioned each of these individuals and companies by name, so it’s a safe bet that each one needs to consult on this project. The ability to build consensus while staying true to the property and fans will pay dividends.

In addition, the publisher needs a built-in fanbase that will embrace an OSR version of Deathstalker. This property screams out for an old school OSR sourcebook influenced by the era of Deathstalker and the ‘80s sword-and-sorcery films. Doing another system would be a disservice to the spirit of these movies. Therefore you’ll need an OSR publisher.

I’m going to share a list of potential publishers, but I want to make it clear that none of them have stated that they are interested or actively pursuing this property. This is my list of possibilities including Dark Wizard Games, Bloat Games, ThrowiGames, Pickpocket Press, Lamentations of the Flame Princess, Mudpuppy Games, and many more are potential publishers. All they need is a strong desire to make this happen, and the contacts to negotiate the contract.

Will There Ever Be a Deathstalker RPG?​

We may never get an official Deathstalker TTRPG, or a sourcebook dedicated to an existing system, but there is always the possibility. TTRPG fans have lifted elements of Deathstalker for their home games and one, Pun Issac at the Halls of the Nephilim blog, combined the setting with an existing system for gamers to enjoy. Using Bloat Games’ The Blackest of Deaths engine, Pun provides stats in his articles “Deathstalker (1983)” for the “True Orc” and “Deathstalker II (1987)” for “Deathstalker (John Terlesky).” Pun provided Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (2014) stats for “Pig Face” in “Swords & Saturdays - Deathstalker (1983)”.

Last year, I spoke to Michael Paszt, Managing Partner at distributor Raven Banner Entertainment Inc., and he report that there has been an inquiry about licensing Deathstalker for a tabletop roleplaying game, but the IP has not been licensed for TTRPGs at that time. That means we may be inching closer to a Deathstalker TTRPG.

If you are interested in this world for your gaming table, what system would you use for a great game of Deathstalker? Which of the Deathstalker films and comics did you like the best? Let us know in the comments, and have fun stalking death!

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[MGibster]

I like nudity and violence as much as the next person, but aside from those two things, I can't think of anything else Deathstalker offers. The movie was devoid of compelling characters, a compelling story, compelling dialogue, and the stunt work wasn't particularly memorable either. A Deathstalker RPG just won't have anything to offer anyone who isn't already a fan of Deathstalker. The very idea of someone making a Deathstalker game leaves me confused, questioning my very existence on this Earth.

 

[Kromanjon]

I like nudity and violence as much as the next person, but aside from those two things, I can't think of anything else Deathstalker offers. The movie was devoid of compelling characters, a compelling story, compelling dialogue, and the stunt work wasn't particularly memorable either. A Deathstalker RPG just won't have anything to offer anyone who isn't already a fan of Deathstalker. The very idea of someone making a Deathstalker game leaves me confused, questioning my very existence on this Earth.

As someone who haven't seen Deathstalker it seems to me like my interest in some kind of Deathstalker supplement is greater than from those who've seen it. Looking at posters and pictures I think it looks kind of cool, but I get from others' discussions that the movie itself isn't very good and contains some objectionable themes. So perhaps a Deathstalker RPG wouldn't really be for the fans but for those who know nothing about it.

 

[sevenbastard]

If we are going with dream products to get licenses for RPGs my vote is an adaption of The song Trudy by Charlie Daniels band.

 

[payn]

I like nudity and violence as much as the next person, but aside from those two things, I can't think of anything else Deathstalker offers. The movie was devoid of compelling characters, a compelling story, compelling dialogue, and the stunt work wasn't particularly memorable either. A Deathstalker RPG just won't have anything to offer anyone who isn't already a fan of Deathstalker. The very idea of someone making a Deathstalker game leaves me confused, questioning my very existence on this Earth.

Agreed. I feel like this product would have to come out tomorrow because the folks who want it are soon heading passed their twilight years even.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Citing Lamentations of the Flame Princess illustrates the key problem with this - it could all too easily end up a puerile edgelord exercise. There's not really any deep worldbuilding in the movies, so it's primarily going to be about tone - and for my money, if you want a Deathstalker RPG to stand out on tone, the self-mocking, self-aware comedic Deathstalker II would be the better model.

 

[MGibster]

As someone who haven't seen Deathstalker it seems to me like my interest in some kind of Deathstalker supplement is greater than from those who've seen it. Looking at posters and pictures I think it looks kind of cool, but I get from others' discussions that the movie itself isn't very good and contains some objectionable themes.

The Boris Vallejo poster is the best thing about the movie. Okay, the second best thing if you count the nudity. I don't judge people for what they like. Mainly because that would require self-introspection on my part and I would be forced to admit I like a lot of really, really stupid stuff.

If we are going with dream products to get licenses for RPGs my vote is an adaption of The song Trudy by Charlie Daniels band.

Did the Satanic Panic leave us too shy for The Devil Came Down to Georgia? Or is that too expensive to license?

 

[Sketchpad]

Using these numbers, any Deathstalker TTRPG would reach 600 to 900 fans of the film plus any audience the RPG publisher brings to the table. Raising a goal of $50,000 via crowdfunding is feasible.

I think this is a bit of a jump, Egg. RPGs are still a bit niche for some and banking on 600-900 fans of the movie to back it could be more disappointing than one might think.

Agreed. I feel like this product would have to come out tomorrow because the folks who want it are soon heading passed their twilight years even.

Ouch.

Personally, I don't need a Deathstalker RPG. I think a "It Came From the 80s" kind of book might be more appropriate for this and Beastmaster. If we're looking at licenses from the '80s that could translate well into TTRPGs, might I suggest something with more world building involved? Deathstalker is more like a character someone made for a AD&D 1e game back in 1982.

 

[sevenbastard]

Did the Satanic Panic leave us too shy for The Devil Came Down to Georgia? Or is that too expensive to license?

Yeah a Devil Went Down To Georgia and The Legend of Wooley Swamp are safer RPG bets. But a 70s set RPG about drifters, gamblers, and petty crime in the south is a niche that needs filling. Set it to a soundtrack of Outlaw Country and Southern Rock.