The tabletop games publishing arm of Rebellion, Rebellion Unplugged, has bought Tunnels and Trolls.
Tunnels and Trolls is the world’s second-oldest RPG and was first published by Flying Buffalo in 1975. Rebellion publishes Judge Dredd and other 2000 AD comic books.
Rebellion CEO and Creative Director Jason Kingsley OBE told the press;
“When I first discovered Tunnels & Trolls in the mid-1970s, I didn’t realize I was unlocking a life-long interest in fantasy roleplaying games, books, movies, and all things genre-based. The game has remained with me throughout my life, and I can’t wait to see what the team have in store for it!”
Tunnels and Trolls was designed by Ken St Andre, but after Rick Loomis, the founder of Flying Buffalo, passed away two years ago, Webbed Sphere bought the company. Webbed Sphere does e-commerce, the software that powers shops, and buys other companies in the industry such as Troll and Toad, Six Hogs, Auldhome Designs and others.
Jon Huston, president of Webbed Sphere, said;
We are very excited to see Rebellion expand this rich property. As a long-time fan, I always felt that the Flying Buffalo roleplaying lines had such incredible potential.”
Duncan Molloy, head of Rebellion Unplugged, who’ll be running the show now, added;
Tunnels & Trolls is an unrecognised trailblazer in the games industry. The team at Flying Buffalo responded to an entirely new medium by focussing on how roleplaying could be more approachable, more accessible, and more fun. So much of the modern era of roleplaying from old school hacks, to streamlined systems, to solo play, can directly trace its roots directly back to this series. We’re very excited to channel that spirit in bringing Tunnels & Trolls into the modern era.”
Geek Native can confirm that Rebellion has bought Flying Buffalo’s entire range of RPGs, including Citybook, Grimtooth and Merchant Spies and Private Eyes.
The entire Flying Buffalo PDF lineup will remain online for purchase, but future releases will come from Rebellion Unplugged. Therefore it’s not clear whether the Flying Buffalo brand will be used.
This blogger suggests a brand styled The Buffalo Rebellion wouldn’t be terribly, nor would Flying Unplugged or Flying Rebellion!
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