Pete Petrusha and the studio Imagining Games have launched a Kickstarter for Roguelike TTRPG, a rules-lite system designed to emulate the “loot, die, repeat” cycle of modern video games. Based in Lowell, Indiana, the project has already surpassed its £3,666 funding target, currently sitting at over £10,000 with 172 backers and 19 days remaining.
The campaign introduces a classless progression system in which character power is determined entirely by gathered loot rather than by traditional experience points. Inspired by titles such as Hades and The Binding of Isaac, the game is built for speed, with the developers suggesting that individual rooms can be cleared in under five minutes and entire dungeon floors finished within an hour.
Tabletop Mechanics and Design Expertise
The 200-page A5 hardcover book focuses on high-octane dungeon crawling and features a “Dungeon Workshop” to help game masters create their own lootable environments. Character development occurs through a combination of passive items, active gear, and unique weapons. This mechanical focus reflects the expertise of Pete Petrusha, an ENNIE award-winning developer who recently served as a technical editor on Designing TTRPGs For Dummies and is currently working on the Ghost in the Shell roleplaying game.
The interior layout uses a vibrant pixel-art aesthetic to reinforce its video-game roots. The project team includes game designer Ares Marks, editor Justin Forest, and layout artist Mike Rieman.
The Adventure Cartridge
One of the more distinctive elements of this roleplaying game is the Adventure Cartridge. These are physical cases designed to hold item cards and dice, serving as a tangible representation of a player’s current run. Petrusha has prioritised durability in the design, noting the importance of structural stability for heavy tabletop use.
I’ve designed my Adventure Cartridges to be extremely durable by working with engineers to design a structurally stable case that can support far more weight than it will ever be required to support during normal use.
Narrative Rewards and Pledge Tiers
Backers can access the digital versions of the roleplaying game for a modest entry price, while physical collectors can opt for the “Loot Goblin” bundle, which includes the hardcover book and an Adventure Cartridge. The most prestigious “Dragon’s Hoard” bundle includes a Kickstarter-exclusive golden cartridge and custom dice. High-tier contributors have the chance to leave a permanent mark on the game by collaborating with the design team to create custom items, monsters, or boss encounters.
- Pledge $20 (approx. £15): Digital Adventurer. Includes the digital PDF of the book and an STL file for 3D printing a cartridge.
- Pledge $40 (approx. £30): Dungeon Delver. Features the 200-page A5 hardcover core book along with the digital rewards.
- Pledge $69 (approx. £51): Loot Goblin. A bundle containing the hardcover, digital assets, a physical Adventure Cartridge, and a card pack.
- Pledge $89 (approx. £66): Dragon’s Hoard. Includes the full physical bundle plus the exclusive Golden Adventure Cartridge and custom dice.
- Pledge $125 (approx. £92): Loot Blacksmith. Everything in the hoard bundle, plus the opportunity to create a custom piece of loot for the game.
- Pledge $150 (approx. £111): Dungeon Hiring Team. Includes all previous physical rewards and the chance to design a custom monster.
- Pledge $250 (approx. £184): Boss Monster. The ultimate tier allows a backer to design a brutal boss encounter with unique rewards.
This campaign is an all-or-nothing project, meaning it will only be funded if it remains above its goal by Fri, May 29 2026, at 3:00 AM BST. Imagining Games estimates that digital rewards will be delivered in February 2027, with physical shipping following in April 2027.
