Bullet Point Updates:

I have a lot of smaller topics to discuss going into the merry month of June. Lots of little things are going on right now. Also trying to set my self up for success going forward.

Happy Pride Month!
My plans to write a fantasy TTRPG are going on hold for a while. I was listening to the Dungeon Coach the other day and it sounds as if his system and mine have a lot of overlap. This was completely unintentional on my part, but I’m going to have to rethink the whole thing now. The last thing I want to do is appear to have copied another system. To be clear, this is all about me, not him. He had it first. I’m not trying to steal it.

The Wizards of the Coast Dungeons & Dragons Open Game License debacle in January spawned a lot of new fantasy TTRPGs. Like many, I wanted to do something similar to D&D without actually copying it or relying on the SRD 5.1. Unfortunately, there are only so many ways to reinvent the wheel. So, back to the drawing board for me.
I was mistaken on the release dates of two new Renegade Game Studios products in this article a few weeks ago. Essence 20 Roleplaying System Field Guide to Action and Adventure Crossover Sourcebook and Power Rangers RPG: Across the Stars are due out in early June 2023. The PDFs are available now if you preorder the physical books. My reviews will come out shortly after the hardcovers arrive. I’m pretty excited.
The raging McCorporate dumpster fire over the Aragorn Magic: the Gathering artwork continues. Everything ranging from calling WotC racist (and other varying unsavory comparisons) all the way to those of use who believe this type of art should be elevated. I really want to believe in my heart of hearts that WotC is trying to do the right thing this time.
“Bigby’s Guide to the Glory Hole of the Giant Ass,” is what one of my favorite YouTubers has called the upcoming release for D&D in reaction to the painful price increase. Many are calling the new, higher prices on D&D products unnecessary and a major sign of corporate greed. Like other WotC failures this past year, the fans will get a chance to vote with their dollars. Personally, I’m done buying official D&D merchandise until WotC gets their sh🦆t together.
The final movie theater box office take is in for D&D Honor Among Thieves are in. In short, the movie did not make as much as expected. The box office gross was $208 million. The movie was said to have cost $150 million to make. With these saggy numbers, a sequel is highly unlikely. It’s a shame because I was hoping Damodar was going to make another comeback. (Kidding!)
My 51^st birthday is coming on the 29^th. Not gonna lie, family- I’m tired. This planet, these humans wear me out. We need to be better to one another. We just do.
Candela Obscura. Here is the link to the Quickstart Guide on DriveThruRPG. I haven’t seen the first episode yet, but I have heard a lot of good things. It sounds as if the Critical Role folx are going to give Call of Cthulhu a run for their money. Also, with it not being based on D&D 5E, I’m guessing some WotC execs are probably a bit concerned. One of their biggest advertisers just bailed on them. I wish Darrington Press all of the luck in the world with this new game. Can’t wait to get my hands on Illuminated Worlds (used for Candela Obscura) and Daggerheart.
Kobold Press’ Tales of the Valiant RPG launched on Kickstarter on May 23rd. It’s already headed for $1 Million. It was fully funded in 27 minutes. This game was originally titled “Project Black Flag” and was yet another reaction to the D&D OGL crisis. I find the $100 asking price for the slipcase of the Player’s Guide and Monster Vault books to be a little out of my price range at the moment. The game also uses the 5E rules, and subsequent SRD 5.1. I still don’t trust WotC enough not to make a total mockery out of the Open License or the Creative Commons. That battle is not fully over yet.
I’m doing reviews about every other day right now. I’m trying to give myself a chance to breathe and do some reading between reviews. Scum & Villains Expansion by Jess Levine for Galactic 2E is next up on my list. Galactic 2E by Riley Rethal is a Star Wars -esque game with some unique cyberpunk twists. I’m looking forward to spending more time with it. Jess is very talented from what I have seen so far, and Scum and Villains should be a treat.
There are a lot of reviews coming in June. Shadowdark, the two Essence 20 books I mentioned earlier, two Cypher System books, and Everyday Heroes are just some of the games on my reading list. A novel called Springtide Harvest is on my reading list as well. I’m also planning to discuss Apocalypse Keys, Blades in the Dark as well as Scum & Villainy soon, too. There are so many good games out there right now. And more on the way. There are more reviews lurking in the wings even after all that.
Just noticed I was blocked on Twitter by a Content Creator who I thought was pretty cool. I would love to know what the heck I said (this time.) Oh well. If you’re seeing this, my Direct Messages are always open. Please talk before you block. Thank you!
My plan is to eventually get back to talking about magic items, adventures, spells, and writing encounters. I have three fairly cool sourcebooks in the works that I think people will really enjoy once I’m finished writing them.
I have this neat idea for a Star Wars campaign, but I need a system. I’m sorta hoping someone will get around to finally releasing a new Star Wars TTRPG. Otherwise, I might have to fake it using FATE or some such. It’s so much fun writing Star Wars adventures.
Hats off to anyone still doing #Dungeon23. I admire the stick-to-it-iveness if you made it to June. With all of the new dungeon related games coming between now and next year, we’re all going to want plenty of dungeons to explore. Keep up the good work!
The RPG Superstar deadline was pushed back to June 7^th. My entries were in under the wire the first time. Like, what the heck? What I would call the popularity phase of the contest starts June 7. Please look for my entries on social media and my blog. Links and voting instructions will be posted there as well.