Welcome home. This is Audio EXP, the weekly podcast from Geek Native. I am your host, Girdy, and today is the 9th of May, 2026.
[The following is a transcript of Audio EXP: #332]
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NDVmaps are the current honourees of the RPG Publisher Spotlight. We’ve sent a DM and hope to have a Q&A lined up.
This week, we are looking at the final tech transition of a tabletop titan, a staggering resurgence for the Eternal Champion, and the grim legal reality facing one of the industry’s most prominent dark fantasy creators. Let us get right into the news.
We begin with a move that marks the end of an era and the formal start of another. Wizards of the Coast has officially completed its transition to its own virtual tabletop platform. This “Beyond the Maps” shift represents a total consolidation of the Dungeons and Dragons digital ecosystem. By moving entirely to an in-house official platform, the company is betting heavily on a vertically integrated future where your rules, your character sheets, and your 3D digital play space all live under one roof.
All this might have happened under the radar, too. The official news is that Zombie Clot, the free-for-now download to support the actual play Dungeon Masters, is out, and in that, I noticed WotC pushing their maps product, known as Maps, as their official VTT. I think we all knew it was coming, but we’ve moved swiftly through “Sigil is dead,” there are new plans, and now, to “Maps” is our VTT.
However, while the corporate giant tightens its grip on the digital space, the community is proving there is a massive appetite for something different. Neon Odyssey, the space opera epic from Legends of Avantris, has absolutely shattered expectations. In a market often accused of being “D&D-fatigued,” this project has seen a phenomenal surge in support. It proves that high-production actual plays and original settings can command a massive audience when they offer a genuine alternative to standard high fantasy. It’s 5e in space.
Speaking of alternatives to the standard fantasy tropes, fans of the Eternal Champion have two incredible reasons to celebrate this week. First, Goodman Games has secured the official Elric of Melniboné license for a 2027 release. But perhaps more incredibly for long-term fans of the Young Kingdoms, so has Free League and there Richard Watts is returning to the setting for a brand-new Elric roleplaying game. Having a veteran voice like Watts back at the helm for such an iconic, melancholic setting is a significant moment for the industry and a clear signal that the legacy of Michael Moorcock’s work is in very capable hands.
This sense of history and “the books behind the screen” was also at the heart of our Star Wars Day celebrations. We took a deep dive into the dice that built a galaxy, exploring how the original West End Games roleplaying game essentially wrote the Star Wars “bible.” Before the prequels or the expanded universe novels truly took off, it was the tabletop writers who had to name the species, define the ship specs, and flesh out the lore that we now take for granted as canon.
The world of Kickstarter has also seen its fair share of resurrections this week. Dragon Ball Z: The Board Game Saga has risen from the grave, returning to the platform after previously being stalled. For fans of physical relics rather than combat, The Walking Dead “Mini Museum” Kickstarter has also gone live. If you have ever wanted to own a piece of the apocalypse, including a chance to own Rick Grimes’ actual boots, this is your opportunity to secure a literal piece of television history.
However, the world of crowdfunding is not always about hype and high-profile relics. We have a developing story regarding the grim reality of Zweihander. Creator Daniel D. Fox has indicated he is moving toward litigation over ongoing Kickstarter delays. It is a sobering reminder of the logistical and financial friction that can occur behind the scenes of even the most successful campaigns.
In the world of animation, Bronwen was deeply moved by the latest from Japan. She highly recommends you watch the trailer for Jinsei. Ryuya Suzuki’s work is a profound example of the power of hand-drawn anime, offering a visual style that feels personal and evocative in an era increasingly dominated by digital polish.
Looking ahead to the summer, the convention season is almost upon us. Roll Britannia is bringing its live, improvised D&D show back to UK Games Expo 2026, and Geek Native will be there in force as well. We are currently open for sponsorship, interviews, and demos, so if you are a publisher or a creator heading to the NEC, do get in touch.
Finally, we wrap up with a massive deal and a bit of “dreadful” fun. If you want to explore a world of urban horror and conspiracies, you can survive the metroplex with a massive 183-book Dark Conspiracy roleplaying game bundle. And for those who prefer something they can actually hold, we have a new competition running to win Burnout Rabbit, a Plushie Dreadful. It is a wonderfully macabre addition to any shelf.
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.
