Edinburgh is currently hosting Conpulsion 2026 at The Pleasance, and while the “On Top of the World” theme suggests a focus on the grand and established, the most significant indie event is a “ghost game” in the Upper Hall. Alexa MacBett is set to run the final public playtest of TRACK DOGS version 2 this Sunday, 12th April, at 2 pm, marking the end of a multi-year development cycle for the local designer.
Track Dogs is a weird science-fantasy roleplaying game set in a post-apocalyptic world where a massive forest, the “Seven Cedars”, has overtaken the earth. Civilisation survives in isolated pockets connected by a sprawling network of train tracks suspended above the canopy. Players take on the roles of the titular Track Dogs, rail-bound pirates and couriers who must maintain their engines while surviving the supernatural horrors that dwell in the lightless depths of the forest floor.
Alexa MacBett was a late registrant for the convention and does not appear on the official pre-registration forms. Consequently, this session serves as a word-of-mouth exclusive for attendees. This is reportedly the last time the “Prototype 2” version of the game will be playable before MacBett transitions the project to Version 3, which is expected to feature a significant mechanical overhaul.
A departure from the “Apocalypse”?
Historically, TRACK DOGS has utilised a system inspired by Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA), employing playbooks and a focus on narrative “Moves.” However, insiders within the Edinburgh indie scene suggest that Version 3 may see a dramatic move away from these established roots. MacBett has previously hinted that the game’s future lies in a more bespoke system that better reflects the “friction” and survivalist maintenance required to keep a steampunk locomotive running in a hostile environment.
The current iteration is noted for its brutal wound system, where descriptive injuries can become permanent fixtures of a character’s story, a sharp departure from the more abstract harm tracks found in typical indie titles. This weekend’s demo marks a historical milestone for the game; it might be the final opportunity to experience the PbtA-adjacent roots of the Seven Cedars before the world’s rules are rewritten.
The road to Tabletop Scotland
While the immediate focus is on the 2 pm slot in the Upper Hall, speculation is already mounting regarding the debut of Version 3. With Tabletop Scotland 2026 arriving at the Royal Highland Centre this September, many expect a more polished, independent version of TRACK DOGS to headline the indie developer area.
For those attending Conpulsion this weekend, the message is urgent. The Sunday session is likely the last public run of a prototype that has been a staple of Edinburgh’s gaming clubs and festivals like Cymera for years. If you want to claim a seat on the canopy rails before the line is closed for maintenance, you will need to register at the convention desk immediately.
Conpulsion 2026 Coverage
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