Routinely Itemised: RPGs #217 & #218

I got hit by a van!

That’s why, for the first time, Geek Native is doing a double Routinely Itemised of RPG news. Here’s the summary of summaries;

• Cubicle 7 celebrates its birthday with a mega Warhammer bundle
• Darrington Press / Critical Role’s RPG Daggerheart gets mixed reviews
• Urban Arcana is renamed Everyday Arcana
• Battlefield Press restructure its survival/license deal with Strange Machines
• Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants is out (and to AI art drama)
• Don’t headbutt a van.

I’m okay, obviously. Geek Native was going slow as the team was out covering Edinburgh’s Festival season, and titles like Dorks’ n’ Orks – Live and Comedians and (Similar to but Legally Distinct from) Dragons but a week without Routiney Itemised was not on the cards.

What probably happened was that a delivery van’s wing mirror clipped my fat face, missing my flesh and my nose but smashing my glasses into bits and the exploding fragments cut into my eyelid and stupid mug. I’m fine, as noted, but I wasn’t in a fit state to do the Routinely Itemised summary that day. I drank instead.

Doing two RPG news summaries in one post lets me keep the Kickstarter Heat in a meaningful state. I’m behind on the RPG Publisher Spotlight, but Will of Gameonomicon is being cool and on stand by.

I’m up in Perth for Tabletop Scotland next weekend, another logistics challenge. Let’s see what I can do!

Okay, let’s see what else has happened during the world’s most extraordinary arts and culture festival (and a van delivery)…

Support: Patron.

RPG news from Geek Native

• Evil Genius confirms their copyright clash with Wizards of the Coast.
• As the internet noted en mass D&D’s Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants! uses AI art, and WotC has changed the rules.
• In the Bundle of Holding, there are two Shadow of the Demon Lord offers.

Spotlight: Gamenomicon

RPG news from around the web

• Dextero’s Noelle Corbett notes that Dungeons & Dragons designer teases more high-level content.
• Paizo announce another plan and product with a mobile game and the challenge to Become a Pathfinder Lore Master!.
• Battlefield Press announces restructuring deal with Strange Machines International.
• Lovecraftesque gets a second edition.
• Akratic Wizardy shows off the Design Mechanism’s forthcoming Classic Fantasy Imperative.
• Sask Today covers The Meeple Guild: Canadian-created RPG gets revamp.
• ICv2 note that Three More Evil Genius Books announced.
• J.R. Zambrano at Bell of Lost Souls has a Sneak A Peek At The New DM’s Guide & Monster Manual From Gen Con.
• Roll20 notes that New Measure Tool Shows AoE And Shapes.
• Roll20 also notes PocketQuest 2023 Retro.
• Christian Hoffer reports Dungeons & Dragons Explains Lack of High-Level Adventures and Future Plans to Support High-Level Characters (auto-play video alert).
• Also with the annoying videos, Christian gets into Dungeons & Dragons’ Designer Explains How Playtests Have Moved From Experimental to Focused.
• Linda Codega notes D&D Beyond’s First Third-Party Product for Sale Is a Critical Role Release.
• Farsight Games Presents Deep Space.
• Gun Metal Games celebrates their birthday with a 40% off sale.
• Softonic note Wizards and Algorithms: The Showdown Between Dungeons & Dragons and Artificial I.
• Brickfanatics covers The LEGO Ideas Dungeons & Dragons Instructions Cover winner has been crowned.
• Upworthy do TTRPG with Grandma’s love for Dungeons and Dragons kept her inspired during her battle with cancer.
• The legal earthquake ripples continue as IPWatchdog gets around to A Tale of Triumph or a Tale of Caution? Dungeons & Dragons’ OGL and Its Effects on Intellectual Property.
• War on the Rocks (National security for insiders, by insiders) writes up Embrace the nerd: Dungeons & Dragons and military intelligence.

RPG reviews and interviews from around the web

• Not full of praise, Chase Carter at Polygon says Daggerheart, the Critical Role publisher’s answer to D&D, feels indistinct.
• ComicBook (autoplay alert) opines Daggerheart First Impressions: Critical Role’s New TTRPG Blends Crunch and Narrative Play in Unique Ways.
• Referring and Reflection has notes From Squires To Knights: the Pendragon Starter Set and Rivers of London: Classic Chaosium Project, Modern Chaosium Attitude.
• Jared Rascher takes a look at Dragonbane core set.
• Reviews from R’lyeh writes up Extraordinary Expeditions and A Network of Tunnels.
• It’s a CRPG interview, but GameRant has Dungeons and Dragons Online Producer Talks Vecna Unleashed, DDO’s Past and Future.
• Charles Dunwoody has an interview with Jeremiah Crofton on Obojima Tales From The Tall Grass.
• Charles also talks to Gavin Norman about Dolmen Wood.
• Geek Girl Authority inverts with Tavern Talk Thursday: JULIA ROTH.
• Bloody Disgusting drinks down on ‘Eat the Reich’ – Creators Preview Tabletop RPG Centered on Vampire Commandos Who Drink Nazi Blood.
• Bleeding Cool has a James D’Amato Interview Chatting About the RPG Campfire Card Deck.
• At Gizmodo, Linda Codega talks to Luke Stratton in Pirate Borg Is a Grimdark Undead Nightmare Fueled by Sea Shanties.
• Also, Linda notes Encounter Party Is Ready To Take On Television.

Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants reviews

• Game Industry notes that Giants grab the spotlight in new “Glory of the Giants” Dungeons and Dragons compendium..
• Bell of Lost Souls has first impressions on D&D: ‘Bigby Presents: Glory Of The Giants’ .
• Flames Rising reviews Bigby Presents Glory of the Giants.
• Tech Raptor weighs in with Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants review: DM knowledge aplenty.
• Dextero and Jessica Filby ask Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants – Should you buy the D&D book?.
• CGM offers a D&D 5E: Glory of the Giants review..
• Jared Rascher continues with What Do I Know About Reviews? Bigby Presents: Glory of the Giants and part 5 (Giant Adventures) and part 6 (Giant Enclaves).

RPG new releases

• Need Games reveals their platinum best seller Fabula Ultima Atlas: High Fantasy
• Monte Cook Games releases the horror RPG Old Gods of Appalachia.
• Chaosium has a silver bestseller already with Cults of RuneQuest: The Lightbringers.
• Chaosium also has a coper bestseller with Cults of RuneQest: The Earth Goddess.
• R. Talsorian Games has released Danger Gal Dossier | Roll20 Version.
• Bloat Games has given us DARK PLACES & DEMOGORGONS for Old-School Essentials – Core Book.
• WhiteFrank and Jonathan Nolan hit release on EPIC FANTASY RPG.
• Sokratis Ivanoich has released the Akropolis Now Core Rules Book.
• Burning Wheel release the Torchbearer 2E Lore Master’s Manual.
• Journey Games published Journey.
• Hit Point Press has released Humblewood Campaign Setting | Roll20 VTT
• Hit Point Press also has Humblewood Campaign Setting | Roll20 VTT + PDF.
• Renegade Game Studios Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition Second Inquisition | Roll20 VTT.
• Renegade also published Sabbat: The Black Hand (Vampire: the Masquerade 5th Edition) | Roll20 VTT.
• Renegade even has Power Rangers Core Rulebook for Roll20.
• There’s even Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition Storyteller, Cults of the Blood Gods Roll20 VTT, Storyteller Toolkit (Vampire: the Masquerade 5th Edition) and on Roll20.
• Tuesday Knight Games also published their VTT Roll20 assets Mothership Start Bundle, Mothership: Player’s Survival Guide, Mothership: The Haunting of Ypsilon 14 , and Mothership: Dead Planet .
• Darrington Press has released their Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn for Roll20 too.
• Everyday Heroes Core Rulebook is also on Roll20 pre-order.
• Shattered Tabletop Games releases the core rules for Shattered Dawn 2e.
• Onyx Path Publishing gives us the gold bestseller Crucible of Legend.
• Total Party Skills hits release on Girls Gone Vampire: the Calamity of Ms. Fortune.
• Hunters Entertainment has a copper bestseller with Gods of Metal: Ragnarock.
• In paper books, pre-order or ready to go at FLGS like Forbidden Planet, there’s;
  • The Walking Dead Universe RPG.
  • Warhammer: Age Of Sigmar: Era Of The Beast (Hardcover).
  • Pathfinder: Lost Omens: Travel Guide: Special Edition (Hardcover).
  • Warhammer 40K: Imperium Maledictum (Core Rulebook).
  • Warhammer 40K: Imperium Maledictum: Collectors Edition (Hardcover).
  • Symbaroum: Davokar Awakens (Hardcover).
  • The Lord Of The Rings: Tales From Eriador (Hardcover)
  • Power Rangers: Roleplaying Game: Finster’s Monster-Matic Cookbook Sourcebook (Expansion)
  • Wastes Of Chaos: Limited Edition (Hardcover)
  • Tales From The Wastes (Hardcover)
  • Alien: Building Better Worlds (Hardcover)

RPG bundle deals

• Save $239.56 (83%) with Cubicle 7’s Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition bundle.
• Save $52.82 (73%) with Skirmisher Publishing’s Cosmic Horror MEGABUNDLE.
• Save $48.76 (47%) with Arkphoenix RPGs Space Opera Generators bundle.
• Save $42.30 (63%) on Luna Publishing’s The Penny Dreadfuls: Volume 1 PDF Collection bundle.
• Save $30.09 (16%) on DMsGuild Baldur’s Gate Lore | Roll20 VTT bundle.
• Save $13.00 (20%) with Darrington Press’ Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn | Roll20 VTT + PDF.
• Save $11.60 (20%) with Dream Realm Storytellers Svilland Play On! bundle.
• Save $9.00 (20%) with Evil Hat Productions’ Monster of the Week | Roll20 VTT + PDF bundle.
• MCDM Productions Arcadia magazine has come to an end, and with it, a set of bundles;
  • Arcadia Issues 1 – 6 bundle.
  • Arcadia Issues 7 – 12.
  • Arcadia Issues 13 – 18
  • Arcadia Issues 19 – 24.
• Save $7.98 (21%) with Ex Stasis Games Dreadful Realms – Dark Fantasy Setting & Adventure Path bundle.
• Save $7.40 (20%) with Evil Hat Productions Monster of the Week: Tome of Mysteries | Roll20 + PDF.
• Save $6.81 (34%) on DMSlash’s Ultimated Compedium bundle.
• Save $5.48 (52%) in the DMsGuild Spellcasters Original Classes bundle.
• Save $5.48 (52%) in the DMsGuild Spellcasters Original Classes.
• Save $4.60 (20%) with Tuesday Knight Games’ Mothership: Dead Planet | Roll20 VTT + PDF bundle.
• Save $2.40 (20%) with Tuesday Knight Games’ The Haunting of Ypsilon 14 | Roll20 VTT + PDF bundle.
• Save $2.04 (13%) with Elven Tower’s Die with your Boots on bundle.

RPG ideas, tips and discoveries

• D&D Beyond publishes Tal’Dorei Campaign Setting Reborn: A Chapter-by-Chapter Breakdown.
• BookRiot’s Lucas Maxwell notes How Dungeons & Dragons got me through a time I felt completely helpless..
• Charlie Hall at Polygon notes that D&D’s next iteration needs to keep things simple, too.

RPG Crowdfunding

You can see those Kickstarters and other crowdfunding campaigns that caught Geek Native’s attention over at Kickstarter watch. Here are some industry projects worth a mention;

Routinely Itemised: RPGs #217

• The Yellow Curtain – An Experimental RPG from The Gnosis Library crowdfunds “A game about fiction, performance, reality, and the way their distinctions blur.”
• The Eldritch Whispers: 500+ DnD spells, potions, curses from Bradley Horton crowdfunds “Awaken your inner witch with three spellbinding books: 500+ spells, potions & ingredients, curses/blessings. D&D 5e compatible.”
• The Star Summoner dice bag from The Speechless Bard proposes “A handcrafted leather dice bag with removable compartments and a lid that doubles as a dice tray.”
• The Search for Thor’s Hammer: A Norse Mythology Module from Tina Glasneck kickstarts “A $1 5e adventure module with new monsters, magic items, maps, and awesome art.”
• Dwellers from John Savage proposes “A New Gamebook For 2023”
• FANTASTIC PORTALS & EFFECTS ACT 2 & 1 from Emmanuel Lepas nominates “3D Printable STL scatter terrain for wargaming, rpg and tabletop games”
• You Carry the Fire: An Original Shadowdark Adventure from Chris Lohkamp offers “Pitch Black meets old-school dungeon crawling in this terrifying escape from the mythic underdark, made for the Shadowdark RPG.”
• Captain Leroy’s Fancy Booty: A 1€ One-Shot Adventure for 5E from Quill’s Tiny Quests pitches “Set sail for the town of Seabucket and help Captain Leroy snatch his old wardrobe from some saucy sahuagin. All (and more) for 1€!”
• Poisons Deck from Diego Pisa Artworks nominates “A deck of poisonous specimens. For use with Fantasy RPGs such as DnD 5E, Pathfinder and OSR.”
• Enclave: A Tableless Roleplaying Game from Robby Howell submits “A diceless and mechanically deep RPG promoting storytelling, teamwork, and creativity.”
• Micro Dungeons: Second Annual Compendium from ND Hobbies proposes “One year of Micro Dungeons on one single printed book! for 5e D&D (the 5th edition Dungeons and Dragons TTRPG)”
• Cthulhu Dreamt TTRPG: Sci-fi Horror & Metal Soundtrack from Action Fiction pitches “An original near-future Sci-Fi tabletop RPG system, including a fully-illustrated campaign with an accompanying heavy metal soundtrack.”
• SKY ZEPHYRS – Vehicle Combat System for DnD 5e from HOMIEandTheDUDE introduces “A Swashbuckling Movement & Combat System for D&D 5th Edition settings w/ airship, spaceship and sea vehicle combat (IRL & VTT)”
• The Secret Art of Game Mastery from The DM Lair offers “Bring new life to your tabletop RPG with decades’ worth of game master experience at your fingertips.”
• Albyon Absey’s Geographical Almanac from Albyon Absey crowdfunds “An A-Z of Strange & Fantastical Locations for your Fantasy TTRPGs! www.albyonabsey.com”
• A Riddle in Brass: The Spiral Keep from MythTTRPG suggests “Uncover the shrouded secrets of a labyrinthine tower in this steampunk 5e adventure.”
• Mercenarium: Galaxy Ablaze – 5E Campaign from Heretical Fun House crowdfunds “A series of sci-fi mercenary ops that will pitch you against aliens, tech religious orders, and secretive AI. Forge your legacy, Merc!”
• Wandering Fates: Tome of Encounters from Daniel James kickstarts “Monsters, Dungeons, NPCs, & Events – 50 Random Encounters to enthrall your party! Built for 5e and the many DnD variations.”
• The Icebound Keep 5E from Eric Bleney offers “An ancient map pointing to an old Keep nestled deep in the frigid expanses northwest of Frostbite Hollow.”
• Wallhalla 3 from Ill Gotten Games kickstarts “Modular miniature shelf STL files for 3d printing”
• Into The Veils from The Eldritch Press introduces “A Fifth Edition Adventure Path that takes players through a mystical island realm filled with magic and mystery”
• Magic Amulets for your gaming treasure, low cost 3 coin set from Arthur Pittsley pitches “Low Priced set of 3 different Amulets. Poison, Health , and Archery. Fantastic gaming treasure. large 1.5 inch coins”
• TTRPG Map pack #4 from Joanna Villafane (Telyn) offers “A quickstarter with 10 maps of varying sizes, some with night versions for noncommercial use. A bunch of maps for a very low price!”
• Tales from the Astral Plane – 5e rules & adventure (2.0) from John Harmston submits “Adventuring in the Astral Plane with new rules, classes, spells, feats, monsters, locations, and epic encounters for 5e D&D (DnD RPG)”
• One Dollar Adventures – Arctic Expedition: Part III from Cave Gaming kickstarts “A cursed explorer must be taken to a hidden shrine of the reclusive Frost Dwarves. Can the party survive their visit to the Underfrost?”
• Dungeon Domains: Fane of Ash (5e / OSR compatible) from Bart Wynants submits “An endlessly expandable dungeon for 5e, Pathfinder, Shadowdark, Forbidden Lands, Mörk Borg & other fantasy tabletop role-playing games!”
• GRAB’n’GO – Legendary Hunts from HeroicHouse Creations crowdfunds “D&D 5E Creatures, Beings, Gods and More – Beware the TPK”
• Magic Potion Dice from Dark Elf Dice proposes “Shimmering Liquid Core Dice Sets — Bring Amazing Dice to Your Gaming Table”
• The Bard’s D&D: Romeo & Juliet from Baldrick suggests “Bring the drama and romance of the Bard’s greatest tragedy to the table for your players to engage with.”
• The Wicked Forever King Hungers TTRPG from Paul Vincent suggests “A rules light, dark fantasy ttrpg based on the Lasers and Feelings rules”
• Seasonal Nightmare: A Wicked Holidays Adventure (D&D 5E) from CrackPotGames(CPG) kickstarts “( Dungeons and Dragons 5e )Malevolent Merriment: A Wicked Holidays Adventure 5E”

Routinely Itemised: RPGs #218

• Pod People – a horror/science fiction RPG zine from Laszlo Tamasfi kickstarts “An experimental game about a body-snatching alien invasion.”
• ImmortalQuest Dungeons of Darkness | Tabletop Game RPG-based from AD Games submits “Old-school dungeon competitive tabletop game for 2-4 players. Lay tiles to form maps. Trade, fight or sabotage opponents.”
• Outpost from Mitchell Tierney suggests “Solo Role Playing Game”
• WHERE SHADOWS FALL — A Modern Fantasy Horror Game for DCC from Jeremy Shuman offers “The Shadow hides the existence of magic and monsters from mundane humans. Join those who know the truth and explore WHERE SHADOWS FALL!”
• Bilge: A Mapping Game of Fear and Flesh from NeonRot kickstarts “A body horror tabletop mapping game for 1-4 players. Dig deep into the viscera of a space leviathan and battle disgusting horrors.”
• The Crucible of Lorn Roleplaying Game from Ryan E Arch nominates “Sword and Sorcery Adventures After the End of All Things”
• Eamon Gaming Mats & Dice Trays Based on the Popular Series from Martha Carr offers “Mats & Dice Trays based on the story of a girl gamer in a taco truck who finds dragons and fights interdimensional demons in Austin, TX”
• Adventures of Black Ridge Island, A Fantasy RPG Campaign from New Comet Games is working on “Adventures of Black Ridge Island is a campaign setting for 5E and OSR Fantasy RPG games including 1E, BX and S&W”
• Internet Based Subclasses – 5e ($1) from The Beta Gamers is working on “Now in 5e, you can do what we know you do everyday. Whether that be summoning memes, influencing, or trolling, you can do it all.”
• Infernal Heritage from Lost Haven Creative Guild introduces “A collaborative zine exploring everything tiefling.”
• One-Shot 1: “Whispers of the Primeval Dawn” from Sophia Smut introduces “A Romantic Mystery Adventure Inspired by Jules Verne for Fifth Edition (DnD/Fantasy RPG)”
• Riders of the Burpwarp/Warpshine Runnerz Double Feature. from Brian Shutter submits “All-New Classes and Setting/Adventure Books for the Neon Lords of the Toxic Wasteland RPG”
• Labyrinth Adventures from Christopher Zimmerman pitches “Tabletop dungeon crawling with no Game Master needed!”
• Orphenia from Ives Tepper crowdfunds “”Open World” Table Top coop RPG for up to 4 Players”
• Corsairea: City of Rogues Campaign Setting and Adventures from Dren Productions Games is working on “A brand-new campaign setting to use with any TTRPG, and thrilling adventures for 5e!”
• Bezmel’s Bazaar of Baubles and Bemusements from Steven Chabotte kickstarts “A Comprehensive Drop In Campaign Setting for any Fantasy Tabletop Role Playing Game Filled With Fascinating Shops, Entertainers, Shows”
• Dungeons and Dragons RPG assets collection from Oscar Becerra raises funds for “STL 3D printable collection for DND & RPG games, includes character dice boxes, master screen, phone stand, dice tray, tiles and more.”
• Beyond the Gate from Dragon Scale Games nominates “5e compatible Terramyr Adventures one-shot with new Monsters, NPCs, and more!”
• RPG Maps – Pirate maps for Treasure Plunderers from Benjámin Weisz kickstarts “More than 200 Pirate maps for any RPG. Commercial usage right included.”
• Skyjacks: Courier’s Call – Season 3 from James D’Amato is working on “The award-winning all-ages actual play Skyjacks: Courier’s Call is back for season 3!”
• Vintage Monster Cards from Molten Blast submits “All SRD monsters adapted to the Shadowdark RPG / OSR DnD in reference cards”
• The Loreweaver GM Screen from Magen Elizabeth Dean Bain kickstarts “The portable, durable, adaptable Game Master’s Screen, featuring unique and inspiring panel art from players like you.”
• Ultimate Bestiary: Secrets of the Fey for 5th Edition! from Nord Games offers “Over 130 new fey creatures to add to your 5th Edition game! Intrigue and challenge your party at any level!”
• Dremyl’s Supernatural Atlas: A D&D 5e Expansion from Portent Press offers “Explore new Supernatural Regions, Environmental Obstacles, & Character Options that can be applied to any DnD setting, official or not.”
• Welcome to the Splatter League from Madness Heart Games offers “A Super-Powered Tabletop RPG of Unmitigated Chaos and Collateral Damage”
• Mirror Labyrinth: Journey for the Shards of Infinity from 3dartdigital introduces “3D-printable RPG characters & worlds, reliving the quest to restore the Mirror of Infinity. For fantasy & game enthusiasts.”
• AcadeCon 2023. Dayton’s own 3-day Tabletop Convention from TheRpgAcademy.com nominates “AcadeCon 11”
• Halloween Special Spooky Vampire Head Dice Tower – STL File from Slope3D introduces “Halloween is arriving in a few months We present a high detailed, functional dice tower made in Fantasy Halloween style for you.”
• Odysseys & Overlords Second Edition for Savage Worlds from Travis Legge suggests “Help us create a new edition of the Odysseys & Overlords fantasy tabletop role-playing game setting using the Savage Worlds system!”
• Weapons of Magical Destruction: Fantasy Stock art for D&D from Fantastical crowdfunds “Royalty-Free stock art for DnD, Pathfinder, or any TTRPG with magic weapons!”
• Guillmans Guide to Speed from Only Crits nominates “Embrace the Windborne Way. An Arcanepunk Sourcebook for Infusing Speed and Excitement into your 5e Games. August 16th 2023”
• RIG from Michael Elliott introduces “A single player souls-like mech rpg.”
• Expandable & Customizable Hobby Paint Rack System from Morphic Hobbies offers “A modular, minimal and yet expandable system to organize your hobby paints!”
• Journey to the Past: Miniatures Old Style for D&D from Bless3D Design crowdfunds “Rediscovering Old-School Magic (STL)”
• Shadowdark: The Pits of Brund from William Murakami-Brundage is working on “Rumors swirl, speaking of evil awakening in the Pits of Brund. A Shadowdark-compatible role-playing game megadungeon for levels 1-6.”
• Academia Arcanum from Willow and Myra pitches “A narrative-focused character-driven TTRPG set in the magical university of your dreams”
• Angelology For Old-School Essentials from Appendix N Entertainment proposes “Celestial Beings For OSE, OSR And NSR Games”
• Adventurer Dice – Fortune’s Roll, Embark on Epic Adventures! from Boxtic offers “Take along the metal-clad Adventurer’s Dice, get swept up in a temporal vortex with the youths, and embark on a unique adventure.”
• The Swamplights of Erestes (5E/OSR/Shadowdark/Pathfinder) from Ancient Sage raises funds for “A 5E adventure investigating mysterious lights in a swamp, with new monsters, new magic items, new lore, and original art. All for $2!”
• Delver 10: Old School RPG Resources for GMs and Players from James Floyd Kelly introduces “Delver is a magazine for Referees and Players of OSR fantasy roleplaying games.”

Do you know of an RPG news source that we don’t? Let us know, or leave a comment below.