Open Ended Games will launch a crowdfunding campaign on Kickstarter in November 2026 for Against the Starmaster, an upcoming space opera tabletop roleplaying game powered by classic percentile mechanics.
The Italian-led design team released a free playtest packet on DriveThruRPG ahead of the launch to gather player feedback on its space combat and character rules.
The game shifts the genre core of the studio’s previous high-fantasy release, Against the Darkmaster, from Tolkien-inspired wilderness to interstellar adventure. Geek Native previously evaluated that system’s lethal heritage in our Against the Darkmaster review, which drew heavily upon Middle-Earth Roleplaying (MERP) and Rolemaster.
The Open00 System and High-Stakes Combat
Against the Starmaster adapts the Open00 d100 rules to fit setting-agnostic science fiction, drawing inspiration from Star Wars, Flash Gordon, and Dune. Play centres on an allied band of adventurers fighting against an overwhelming galactic conqueror, using starships, mystical energies, and heavy blasters.
The system combines percentile task resolution with granular, severe combat outcomes. In place of abstract damage sponges, successful attacks reference dedicated critical hit tables that inflict broken bones, scorched limbs, or punctured organs. Outside tactical skirmishes, character direction relies on Passions and Drive, awarding experience and mechanical perks when players act on personal loyalties and campaign motivations.
Massimiliano Caracristi, Lead Designer at Open Ended Games, said in a statement,
We can’t wait for players to experience Against the Starmaster. We’ve taken all the stuff people loved about Against the Darkmaster and made the rules even tighter this time around. And like Darkmaster, this game is a true labour of love for us, based on all the movies and books we experienced growing up.
Players can expect high-stakes, brutal combat with cool critical hit charts, meaning every fight is tense. A well-aimed laser blast can pierce a lung, while the swing of a Starblade could lop off an arm. Meanwhile, Passions and Drive form the heart of narrative roleplay in the game, giving players rewards for following their motivations and forming allegiances. Plus, the book includes incredible original art that perfectly evokes the feel of pulp sci fi adventures.”
DriveThruRPG Quickstart and AI Content Disclosure
The publisher published a 16 MB playtest rules document on DriveThruRPG to prepare players for the crowdfunding phase. The download includes the core rules, character creation guidelines, and an introductory scenario designed to test ship actions and blaster combat.
However, the official storefront listing introduces an immediate question regarding its visual production. While marketing materials highlight original artwork directed by Tommaso Galmacci, the digital product metadata on DriveThruRPG explicitly classifies the release under the filter: Creation Method: Contains AI-Generated Content. This disclosure marks an unexpected turn for a studio known for traditional craft. Geek Native will follow up with Open Ended Games to clarify whether generative tools were used strictly for prototyping or if automated art will appear in the final printed books.
Against the Starmaster Production Specifications
| Specification | Detail |
| Lead Designer | Massimiliano Caracristi |
| Art Director | Tommaso Galmacci |
| Layout Editor | Nikola Segoloni |
| Additional Writing | Paolo Vecchiocattivi |
| Publisher | Open Ended Games |
| Core System | Open00 (Percentile / d100) |
| Crowdfunding Platform | Kickstarter |
| Launch Window | November 2026 |
| Current Playtest Status | Free download (16 MB PDF) |
Quick Links
- Tabletop groups wanting to test the starship and laser combat rules can download the free playtest document directly from DriveThruRPG.
- Campaign updates and preview notifications are available on the official Against the Starmaster website.
