Welcome home. This is Audio EXP, the weekly podcast from Geek Native. I am your host, Girdy, and we have a very busy end to April to cover.
[The following is a transcript of Audio EXP: #330]
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We are looking at a rough week for physical conventions, a significant restructuring of a dark fantasy classic, and a cinematic victory for a film that almost never saw the light of day. Let us get right into the news.
Before we dive into the headlines, I want to say a huge thank you to all our patrons. Your continued support is what makes the site possible. As we close out the month, it is your absolute last chance to vote for the May Roleplaying Game Publisher Spotlight. Your candidates this month are:
If you are a patron, please make sure you head over to the Patreon page right now to cast your vote.
Starting with the events sector, it has been a deeply frustrating week for the community and vendors alike. We have seen transparency concerns explode as WizardCon 2 shut down just days before its scheduled opening. Fans and traders who invested significant time and money have been left scrambling for answers. Compounding the bad news for physical events, the London Film and Comic Con has officially cancelled its 2026 convention, blaming flight costs. The organisers highlighted the severe economic pressures currently facing large-scale fan gatherings.
Moving over to the tabletop, Free League Publishing is celebrating a major milestone. The acclaimed dark fantasy roleplaying game Symbaroum is returning, with the publisher restructuring the product line for its 10th anniversary. The updated format is designed to streamline the entry point for new players wanting to explore the treacherous, corruption-filled forest of Davokar, consolidating rules while keeping the deadly, atmospheric mechanics entirely intact.
Staying with the business of tabletop publishing, we are seeing a significant shift in how games are funded. We are looking at the CarlRPG effect and how BackerKit is rewriting the roleplaying games rulebook. The platform is increasingly challenging the traditional dominance of Kickstarter by offering robust tools tailored specifically for tabletop creators, and this recent campaign is proving exactly how lucrative that alternative ecosystem has become.
Over in the world of cinema, there is a lot to discuss. First, we are asking if blue skin, dark humour, and British grit can help Rogue Trooper conquer the global box office. The adaptation of the legendary 2000 AD comic character has a lot of cultural weight behind it, and bringing that specific brand of British science fiction to a broad international audience is a bold move.
Speaking of bold cinematic moves, Will Forte takes on the Acme corporation in the very first trailer for Coyote vs Acme. This is famously the film that Warner Bros tried to permanently bury for a tax write-off, sparking fierce industry backlash. Seeing actual footage out in the wild feels like a monumental victory for the creatives who fought to save the project.
For anime fans, we are looking back at a masterpiece. With the recent theatrical re-release, we are asking the one million pound Akira question: is the cyberpunk classic purely for the purists, or does it still hold up for modern, mainstream audiences? The animation remains unparalleled, but its dense narrative continues to spark debate decades after its original release.
Sticking with classic Japanese media and tabletop history, high-end collectors have a major event to watch. Magic: The Gathering playtest sheets and Shonen Jump debuts are leading the latest Goldin sale. It is a fascinating glimpse into the premium auction market, where the earliest foundational pieces of modern geek culture are commanding staggering prices.
While we often celebrate the escapes these games and films provide, we must take a moment to share some sombre news from the community. Two highly respected names in the tabletop world are currently facing severe health battles, and GoFundMe campaigns have been launched to help with their medical care. Jodi Black is fighting pulmonary fibrosis, and Meagan Kenreck is battling breast cancer. The tabletop community has a long history of rallying around its own during difficult times, and both campaigns are linked in the show notes for anyone in a position to offer support or share their stories.
Finally, we wrap up this week’s episode with a pair of fantastic bundles to stock your shelves. If you are looking for a completely different tone at your table, you can grab the ENNIE-winning Land of Eem bundle right now. It is a whimsical, rules-light fantasy roleplaying game inspired by properties like The Muppets and The Lord of the Rings, offering a brilliant, lighthearted departure from traditional grimdark settings.
Alternatively, for those who prefer their dungeons a bit more lethal and old-school, there is an absolute steal of a deal running at the moment. You can keep your torches lit with 26 Shadowdark modules from Menagerie Press for under 12 pounds. Shadowdark has taken the scene by storm with its real-time torch mechanics and high lethality, and this collection provides an enormous amount of highly usable material for game masters.
And if digital bundles are not your preference, Modiphius has something massive for your physical shelf. The desert beckons, so grab the Dune physical megabundle. This is a huge collection of hardcover books and accessories for their 2d20 science fiction roleplaying game, perfect for anyone looking to fully immerse themselves in the sands of Arrakis.
That is it for this week. Thanks for listening to Audio EXP. For all the links and full stories, head over to Geek Native. Until next week, stay geeky.
