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This week’s TTRPG crowdfunding sampler looks at campaigns that close between April 16 to 23. This includes the latest million-dollar campaign, a strong showing from Goodman Games, a special double campaign for a video game adaptation, and more.
ALIEN RPG – Evolved Edition and Rapture Protocol from Free League Publishing
- END DATE: Thu, April 17 2025 3:00 PM EDT.
- SYSTEM(S): Year Zero Engine
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook, starter set, adventure set, and more
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: SEK 1,598 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the core rulebook, starter set, and adventure boxed set as well as the miniatures pack
- ADDITIONAL REPORTING: Morrus reports on the campaign (here), my 2019 interview with Tomas Härenstam about the first iteration of ALIEN (here), or Rob Wieland’s great reviews of the ALIEN products (ALIEN Colonial Marines Operations Manual and Building Better Worlds)
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This tabletop roleplaying is my favorite adaptation of a movie, TV series, or novel to tabletop. Every element of Free League’s ALIEN RPG tells the best-realized ALIEN stories you’ll find outside of the first and second movies. From my first play of the game, it never disappointed as an immersive RPG that makes you feel like you’re locked into the universe. Free League’s ALIEN RPG unifies all of the movies and comics through player and GM decisions. Looking for horror? This game’s rules deliver ALIEN. Want the characters-will-die level of action from ALIENS? These rules will result in a quick body count. Want a longer form narrative like the comic series? There’s a campaign mode. Have a GM that’s telling an overly epic tale to a bunch of semi-engaged min-maxed players? Your sessions will feel like Prometheus, for better or worse. Are the players space truckers making bad decisions or panicking on every botched die roll like ALIEN: Covenant? No matter your taste in ALIEN stories, this game has you covered. The first edition presents the right artwork, writing, and system to make your game feel like the movies. With this campaign, fans can jump onboard with a new core rulebook featuring improved rules for stealth mode, panic rolls, ammo, armor, grenades, zero gravity play, plus updates from ALIEN: Romulus. Between that, two boxed sets (a new starter and an adventure scenario), and miniatures, this campaign offers a lot of great content. If you’re a fan of the franchise, or the first edition of the game, check out this Kickstarter to see if the new Evolved Edition speaks to you.
Dungeon Denizens 2, How To Write Even Better Adventures, & More GM Tools! from Goodman Games
- END DATE: Apr 16, 2025 at 2:00pm EDT.
- CROWDFUNDING ON: Backerkit
- SYSTEM(S): Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) and Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $59.49 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book plus a PDF of the DCC core rulebook
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? How about a book of adventure writing advice, a book with over 350 DCC or 5e monsters from Goodman Games in a hardcover with an Erol Otus cover, a chance to design your own monster for publishing, and enough optional extras to make your head spin? As with all Goodman Games’ campaigns, this one offers so much material it’s bound to inspire GMs. We love monsters for our games, and this book offers many which, when combined with their How To Write Even Better Adventures, make for textured, original encounters. If you’re a fan of fights, this Backerkit campaign is worth a review.
The Art of Jeff Easley from Jeff Easley
- END DATE: Fri, April 18 2025 1:08 PM EDT.
- PROJECT TYPE: Artbook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $150 + S/H for the autographed hardcover
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Famed Dungeons & Dragons artist Jeff Easley is offering a 9” by 12” book with over 200 pages and over 200 paintings showcasing his amazing artwork. The book promises great images on each page. With cover artwork and illustrations from AD&D 1st and 2nd editions as anchors, you’ll get additional paintings, inks, and pencils including commentaries from throughout Easley’s career. This book is a retrospective as well as a touch of TSR history since Easley was on the art staff of that notable company. If you love Jeff Easley’s artwork as much as I do, this book is a must have.
Frostpunk: The Roleplaying Game from Catalyst Game Labs
- END DATE: Sat, April 19 2025 12:00 PM EDT.
- SYSTEM(S): Dice Core system
- PROJECT TYPE: Core rulebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $110 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the two books, GM screen, and more
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? In 1886, the world fell to ice and an endless winter, save for a city built around heat generators. In this game, you play as characters that have to keep the generators running to survive. Based on a video game, this RPG will have you choose between morality and survival, making this a tale of right and wrong amid absolutely difficult choices. If you enjoy this concept, there’s an interesting companion to this project, running until the 18th, there’s a sister Kickstarter to this one, The World of Frostpunk: Artbook & Anthology, if you’re looking for more icy adventures.
Myths & Tales: Yokai And Cyber Beings In Hinokai from Cyber Sheep Film
- END DATE: Thu, April 17 2025 11:59 AM EDT.
- SYSTEM(S): System neutral
- PROJECT TYPE: Sourcebook
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $35 for the PDF of the book
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This book is 200 pages of lore about Yokai and cyberpunk, literally ghosts in the machine. This project combines Japanese spirits and cyberpunk tropes to create a collection drawn by Phuri Wongsuk. The work brings together art, lore, cards, maps, hidden messages, and more to craft a setting for you to play in. System neutral, there are ideas to inspire any GM looking for cyber ghosts for their game.
Dragonbane: The Godwolf from the Crooked Mountains from Dunderdagar
- END DATE: Sun, April 13 2025 10:00 AM EDT.
- SYSTEM(S): Dragonbane
- PROJECT TYPE: Adventure
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: SEK 300 + S/H for the PDF and print versions of the book
- AI STATEMENT: “AI was not used in the production or design of this product”
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? This is a third-party adventure for Dragonbane. In a land of bitter cold, enjoy the festival, go to the village of the damned, and prepare for a gigantic beast. This 44-page adventure gives you some options and new monsters like the Grey Dwarf to add to your Dragonbane game.
- END DATE: Sun, April 20 2025 12:18 PM EDT.
- PROJECT TYPE: Tabletop gaming store
- LOCATION: Des Moines, Iowa
- MOST POPULAR PLEDGE: $50 for the t-shirt, sticker, and a PDF
- WHY SPOTLIGHT THIS CAMPAIGN? Are you in central Iowa? This campaign offers a place for gamers to come together and share their hobby. Locally, I lost one of my friendly local gaming stores, which is always a downer. However, in the grand scheme, one opening in another region gives balance to the world of retail gaming. If you’re near Des Moines, check out this campaign to learn more about the store.
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