Venger’s Decks has released a free playtest pack for The Chaos Card Deck Tabletop Roleplaying Game, a compact system designed to fit entirely within a single deck of cards. The project, which leans into old-school sensibilities, aims to provide everything needed for one-shot sessions or short campaigns without extensive rulebooks.
The developer intends to use the current playtest phase to refine mechanics based on community feedback, ahead of a full launch at Tabletop Scotland in September 2026. The playtest bundle includes a draft version of the deck, character sheets, and three maps, alongside specific feedback forms for Game Masters, group players, and solo adventurers.
Streamlined Systems and Portability
The core philosophy behind The Chaos Card Deck is speed and accessibility. By utilising random tables and the deck itself, the game attempts to minimise mechanical friction during play. Scott of Venger’s Decks explained in a statement:
In mere minutes, you’ll be able to whip the deck from your pocket, to set up a scenario, to generate characters, and to kick off with gusto onto the crumbling path towards chaos.”
While the final physical card deck and a companion adventure zine will be available for purchase, the creator has committed to keeping the digital PDF and a dedicated rules website free of charge. This “rules-lite” approach follows a growing trend in the indie roleplaying game scene where portability and “pick-up-and-play” capability are highly valued by time-poor hobbyists.
Aiming for Tabletop Scotland 2026
The official launch is tethered to Tabletop Scotland, which returns to the Royal Highland Centre in Edinburgh from 4th to 6th September 2026. The convention, which recently announced the Scottish Huntington’s Association as its 2026 charity partner, has become a significant focal point for Scottish creators to debut new titles.
By releasing the playtest pack now, Venger’s Decks is allowing for an eighteen-month refinement period. This suggests a cautious approach to balance, ensuring the final deck can handle the unpredictability of “chaos” without breaking the game’s simple internal logic.
Quick Links
- Download: The Chaos Card Deck
