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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Egg Embry" data-source="post: 9669343" data-attributes="member: 6808965"><a href="https://www.enworld.org/threads/where%E2%80%99s-the-deathstalker-rpg-part-1.713549/" target="_blank">Following up on the first installment</a>, 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.[ATTACH=full]406654[/ATTACH]<h3>Deathstalker: For Love and Money</h3>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:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/vault-comics/slash-presents-deathstalker" target="_blank">Vault Comics’ Slash presents DEATHSTALKER Kickstarter</a> by Tim Seeley, Jim Terry, and Steven Kostanski reached 645 backers that pledged $51,177 in 2023.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/deathstalker-movie/deathstalker" target="_blank">Steven Kostanski's DEATHSTALKER Kickstarter</a> reached 592 backers that pledged $95,457 in 2024.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">RELATED ENTRY: <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lawriebrewster/the-slave-and-the-sorcerer-sword-and-sorcery-horror-movie" target="_blank">Lawrie Brewster's The Slave and the Sorcerer - Sword & Sorcery HORROR MOVIE! Kickstarter</a>, 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.</li> </ul>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.[ATTACH=full]406655[/ATTACH]<h3>What Publisher Might Take on the Deathstalker TTRPG?</h3>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 <a href="https://metalweavegames.com/blogs/behind-the-weave/protecting-yourself-when-getting-an-ip" target="_blank">here</a> (the comments on this <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/RPG.Designers/permalink/9988795831151133/" target="_blank">Facebook</a><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/RPG.Designers/permalink/9988795831151133/" target="_blank"> post about the article</a> 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 <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/7235/dark-wizard-games?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">Dark Wizard Games</a>, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/9721/bloat-games?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">Bloat Games</a>, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/7648/ThrowiGames?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">ThrowiGames</a>, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/10564/pickpocket-press/category/31597/low-fantasy-gaming?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">Pickpocket Press</a>, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/2795/lamentations-of-the-flame-princess?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">Lamentations of the Flame Princess</a>, <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/13826/mudpuppy-games?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">Mudpuppy Games</a>, and many more are potential publishers. All they need is a strong desire to make this happen, and the contacts to negotiate the contract.[ATTACH=full]406656[/ATTACH]<h3>Will There Ever Be a Deathstalker RPG?</h3>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 <a href="https://punverse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Halls of the Nephilim</a><a href="https://punverse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"> </a><a href="https://punverse.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">blog</a>, combined the setting with an existing system for gamers to enjoy. Using Bloat Games’ <a href="https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/285910/the-blackest-of-deaths-dire-old-school-fantasy-rpg-deluxe-edition?affiliate_id=814082" target="_blank">The Blackest of Deaths</a> engine, Pun provides stats in his articles “<a href="https://punverse.blogspot.com/2019/03/deathstalker-1983.html" target="_blank">Deathstalker (1983)</a>” for the “True Orc” and “<a href="https://punverse.blogspot.com/2019/03/deathstalker-ii-1987.html" target="_blank">Deathstalker II (1987)</a>” for “Deathstalker (John Terlesky).” Pun provided Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition (2014) stats for “Pig Face” in “<a href="https://punverse.blogspot.com/2020/08/swords-saturdays-deathstalker-1983.html" target="_blank">Swords & Saturdays - Deathstalker (1983)</a>”.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!Egg Embry participates in the OneBookShelf Affiliate Program, Noble Knight Games’ Affiliate Program, Kobold Press Affiliate Program, and is an Amazon Associate. These programs provide advertising fees by linking to DriveThruRPG, Noble Knight Games, Kobold Press, and Amazon.</blockquote>

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