Ann Arbor-based publisher Chaosium Inc. has announced Call of Cthulhu: Old Ones Origins, a new asymmetric strategy board game heading to the Gamefound crowdfunding platform. Designed by Samuel W. Bailey, the game pits two to four players against each other as competing eldritch gods battling for cosmic supremacy at the dawn of time.
The upcoming release is an enhanced reimplementation of Forbidden Stars, a highly regarded 2015 strategy game that Samuel W. Bailey co-designed. That original game eventually fell out of print due to licensing changes, making this new iteration a notable return for its underlying rules. It is designed for players aged 14 and up, with an estimated playtime of 60 minutes per player.
In a move that addresses ongoing industry debates, Chaosium has attached a strict “No AI Policy” to the project. The publisher stated a commitment to real artistic creativity, noting that all artwork, illustrations, and text in the campaign and final game are produced without AI-generation tools. This restriction is explicitly enforced within their creator contracts.
In Call of Cthulhu: Old Ones Origins, players take command of distinct factions tied to the Cthulhu Mythos. While the full roster of factions remains under wraps, the Cthulhu faction itself relies on resilience and overwhelming presence. This specific army shifts between unbreakable defence and crushing counter-offensives, drawing strength from fractured worlds as the battle evolves.
Samuel W. Bailey brings two decades of industry experience to the table, having designed games since his childhood in the Pacific Northwest. Success on the board relies on learning the specific strengths of these factions, adapting plans, and outmanoeuvring opponents.
The project is currently featured as part of the Gamefound Summer Feast 2026 event. While Chaosium has not yet confirmed a specific launch date or funding tier prices, backers who follow the campaign page before it goes live will receive an exclusive Conflict Marker miniature.
Quick Links
- Gamefound: Call of Cthulhu – Old Ones Origins
