Dynamite Entertainment has used San Diego Comic-Con to announce that an official ThunderCats tabletop roleplaying game is in the works, bringing Lion-O and the battle for Third Earth to the popular 5e system. The project will be developed by Lynnvander Studios and, in a now-familiar route for licensed TTRPGs, will launch on Kickstarter before heading to retail.
A 250-page hardcover core rulebook is planned, which will provide all the necessary mechanics and lore for players to have their own adventures on the strange, post-apocalyptic world. The book will draw from both the classic 1980s animated series and Dynamite’s recent, highly successful comic book line. Fans will be able to create their custom characters to join the ranks of the ThunderCats or, for those with a villainous streak, the Mutants of Plun-Darr. Alternatively, the rules will allow players to take on the roles of iconic characters, such as Lion-O, Cheetara, Tygra, Panthro, and even the ever-living Mumm-Ra.
The game is being designed by Lynnvander Studios, a Canadian-based company with a considerable pedigree in creating licensed tabletop games. Their portfolio is extensive, featuring board games and RPGs for IPs such as Divinity: Original Sin, Cowboy Bebop: Board Game Boogie, Shadowrun: Sprawl Ops, and Doctor Who: Don’t Blink. Lynnvander is no stranger to crowdfunding, having successfully funded over 20 campaigns and raised more than four million dollars on Kickstarter, a track record that will be reassuring to potential backers. This project also marks another collaboration between Dynamite and Lynnvander, who previously worked together on a Reanimator game.
The announcement of a ThunderCats RPG is not entirely surprising, given the phenomenal reception of Dynamite’s new comic book. As reported on other sites, the first issue, written by Declan Shalvey with art by Drew Moss, sold initial orders of over 170,000 copies, indicating a powerful resurgence of interest in the franchise. It seems Dynamite, alongside IP holder Warner Bros. Discovery Global Consumer Products, is keen to capitalise on this wave of nostalgia.
While a firm release date has not yet been set, a pre-launch page is already active on Kickstarter, allowing eager fans to be notified the moment the campaign goes live.
Quick Links
- Kickstarter: Thundercats RPG
