Routinely Itemised: RPGs #294

Here in the North, it’s finally getting brighter in the morning. The problem with going to work in the dark and getting back home in the dark is that it’s easy for vampires to tail you.

Here’s the summary of TTRPG news summaries;

Critical Role rose hundreds of thousands to help people caught in the LA fires.
Wizards of the Coast won’t bring out any campaign books this year.
The ENNIES changed their AI policy after a backlash
Evil Genius Games launched Sidekick
There are some mighty bundle deals this week

Tomorrow I’ll drag my arse out of bed, get a coffee from Irish Dude (a wee shop by Ocean Terminal), go get pancakes before a voucher deal I have expires and then, since it’s the first of the month, conclude the patron vote and, since it’s a Saturday, do the Audio EXP podcast.

The YouTube tech for Podcasts, which replaced Google’s Podcasts, seems to work, but no one listens to them on the video platform. Surely Google could do something clever with computers to make it more visual?

On tech, I still can’t get Google ads to appear on Geek Native. Why not? It’s because of the blog’s strict privacy policies about not passing data. Technically, it should still be possible to get Adsense running, and while I fight, I doubt anyone else cares :) However, it’s another chance to mention the Patron and kind sponsors like Bundle of Holding.

Spotlight: Sad Fishe Games.

RPG news from Geek Native

We told people about Critical Role’s Freaky Thursday – and they then rose more than $350K for charity.
Evil Genius Games released web3-free tech with their D&D Beyond-styled Sidekick.
Also, reacting to tech concerns, the ENNIES changed their AI policy.
Hebanon Games is running a year-long (and PWYW) Red Markets 2e playtest.
Bad Toad Games have a quick start out (and we have a mini interview for) Mercs, Mages & Monsters.
In the Bundle of Holding, there’s a Dusk Cty Outlaws deal and a quick sale on CBR+PNK.

Support: Patreon

RPG news from around the web

Wargamer’s Mollie Russell leads with DnD will produce no new campaigns in 2025, and that’s a very good thing.
On the same story, EN World’s Christian Hoffer has Why Dungeons & Dragons Isn’t Putting Out a Campaign Book in 2025.
Christian also notes that D&D Adds Two New Books to 2025 Slate, Including New Eberron Book.
At ComicBook, Amanda Kay Oaks explains What is Project Sigil? Dungeons & Dragons’ Latest Virtual Experiment.
Demiplane and Roll20 have an Integration Update – Intro & Roadmap.
Since we’ve slid into computer territory, let’s note that Dungeons & Dragons VR Game Re-Emerges With Official Name and Announcement Trailer.

RPG reviews and interviews from around the web

Beth Rimmels pens Monsters & More: An In-Depth Review of the 2025 D&D Monster Manual.
Scott Baird also has a Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual 2024 Review.
The Fandomentals’ Dan Arndt says In The New Dungeons & Dragons Monster Manual, More Is Unfortunately Less.
Reviews from R’lyeh has written up Old-School Essentials’ Hidden Hand of The Horla, Cyberpunk RED’s Hope Reborn and Cannon Otter Studio’s Teenage Oddyssey.
James Maliszewski has a review of Invasion Earth.
Flames Rising blogs a D&D 2024 Dungeon Master Screen Review.
At EN World, Charles Dunwoody interviews Humberto Tramujas about OldMoon.
For New GameMaster Month, Kobold’s Jef Quick has an interview with ZackTheBold on GMing inspiration.

RPG new releases

Through Sunken Lands - The Sorcerous and the Weird.

Flatland Games has a best seller already with Through Sunken Lands – The Sorcerous and the Weird.
Game Machinery has released a supplement for their adult TTRPG with Defiant Legacy.
Wendigo Workshop launched the 600+ page Arkelon Chronicles.
Stellar Forge has published their latest edition of Never Surrender Role-Playing Game Guide.
Arnamantle published BURNAWAY: An RPG About Grief and Hope from the Ashes.
Crows Perch Publishing released Observa Roleplaying System.
Red Raven Games has published the narrative-forward Arzium Roleplaying Game.
Renegade Game Studios published the Essence20 G.I. JOE Roleplaying Game Intercontinental Adventures: Factions in Action Vol. 2 Sourcebook.
Green Ronin Publishing has released Cthulhu Awakens: DREADCRAWLS Two, Events Under Sinister Stars.
ACE Games has released the core rules for the Inkforged RPG.
John Harford published a Call of Cthulhu game called Cryptid Investigators Guide.
TheNatOne has published RedHack2er and Troopers: All Out War (both as Pay What You Want).
Fantasy Grounds (the VTT) has the classic D&D setting World of Greyhawk.

RPG bundle deals

Save $266.80 (30%) in Chaosium’s Ultimate Call of Cthulhu 7th Edition bundle.
Save $72.77 (35%) with Free League Publishing’s Ultimate Symbaroum bundle.
Save $61.40 (25%) in Onyx Path Publishing’s Ultimate Scarred Lands bundle.
Save $54.94 (25%) and $46.24 (25%) with Independence Games’ Clement Sector RPG Core Hardcover and the Clement Sector RPG Core Softcover Bundle.
Save $40.60 (20%) with R. Talsorian Games’ Ultimate Cyberpunk Red bundle.
Save $8.16 (16%) in Cabal of Enchantment’s Cabal Collection.
Save $5.97 (50%) in Gabrilo Despint’s Exploration Expanded bundle.

RPG ideas, tips and discoveries

Valentine’s ‘advent’ calendars are a thing.
I wondered if this tech was how I turn my physical TTRPG collection into PDFs?
Sirius Entertainment has released their D&D Acererak’s Treasure Pack: Gold Edition dice packets.
At New Gamemaster Month, Charles Ryan pens It’s Game Time! (and a bit about characters).

RPG Crowdfunding

You can find the Kickstarter campaigns that have caught Geek Native’s attention at Kickstarter watch. Here are some noteworthy industry projects to mention:

Pip and Pawn – For D&D, Pathfinder, and Savage Worlds from Matthew J. Hanson is working on “A short ebook about in-fiction games in table top RPGs. Includes history, magic, monsters, and more!”
This World Summons Too Many Heroes!! from Duffo submits “An isekai power fantasy TTRPG where new heroes and demon lords get reincarnated every day!”
Japanese Horror Battle Maps: Haunted Places from Agnieszka Polanowska pitches “High Quality 400+ Horror Battle Maps,Digital Rpg maps with Commercial Use”
Sentience – The 2d20 Robot Role-Playing Game from The Yellow Hand nominates “The RPG dubbed “Modiphius’most promising Worldbuilders Project”, now in a revised and expanded edition, in print for the first time!”
100 Inns, Taverns, & Hideouts: A DM’s Guide from Greg pitches “Transform your 5e adventures with a collection of 100 unique & unforgettable taverns, inns, and hideouts for any campaign setting.”
D100+ Pirate Rumors for TTRPGs from Narrative Ninjas suggests “Discover 100+ Rumors for your adventures, with more to unlock via stretch goals. Compatible with any system (D&D 5e, Pathfinder, etc.)”
Sinless Character Creator from Marshall Scott pitches “We are making a digital character creator for the cyber-sorcery TTRPG Sinless!”
The Oracle RPG App – Less Prep. More Play. from Nord Games crowdfunds “Content Generators, RPG Tools, and a Campaign Builder. D&D, Pathfinder, and System Neutral. Available on iOS, Android, Steam, and Web.”
Tavern’s Tales, D&D Short Adventures from Black Cube Games kickstarts “20+ Sessions of Short Adventures for Taverns with NPCs, Monsters, Maps, and a lot more!”
Dungeon Nexus: Launching a new way to enjoy TTRPGs online from Walker submits “A new hosting service to connect professional Game Masters and players in a transparent and fun community environment!”
The Shadow King Trilogy from Dren Productions Games submits “A new set of connected one-shot adventures that begin with a party member’s shadow being stolen.”
Towers of Fate – 3D Printable Dice Towers from Fantasy3DTabletop is working on “3D Printable Fantasy Dice Towers for Board Games & Tabletop RPGs. Expertly Optimized for Support-Free 3D Printing on FDM Printers.”
The Frozen Lights: A Chilling Mystery from Truda’s Trove introduces “A 5e Adventure including new Magic Items, Monsters, NPCs, Spells, and a Wizard Subclass!!”
Organizations of Maksur: NPCs for Any Fantasy TTRPG! from Cave Gaming is working on “10 Organizations with more that 100 NPCs that can be put into ANY Fantasy TTRPG!!”
The Secret World-North America TTRPG Savage Worlds and 5E from Star Anvil Studios offers “”Everything is true!””
Dirtbags! A sci-fi shooter TTRPG from The Dungeon’s Key offers “Tired of breaking your back dirtside? Join the countless other convicts on their path towards reintegration by applying for the R.I.P.”
PRINT & ROLE, Modular Buildings – The Medieval Citadel from Mariano Eliceche Miniatures offers “3D FDM Supportless Printable Modular Wargaming terrain for tabletop, Role Playing Games, Wargames and RPG, 32mm,28mm, STL files”
Grand Odyssey TTRPG System from Sacredfire Games raises funds for “A stand-alone TTRPG that seamlessly integrates with your D&D 5e and Pathfinder 1e and 2e experience. Thanks to its modular design.”
Make 100 – Crit Craft Class Notebooks from Crit Craft proposes “A5 D&D 5e class notebooks in 8 colour combinations + 3 new Kickstarter colour combinations”
My Late Father’s Correspondence – An Epistolary RPG from Storybrewers Roleplaying is working on “Unfold a bittersweet family drama one letter at a time in this solo or duet story game set in 1832. Read, reply and make your mark.”
Forgotten Lore: The Celtic Grimoire from Forgotten Lore crowdfunds “Ancient Magic, Mythic Power, and Celtic Spellcraft Rooted in Legend – Dungeons and Dragons 5th Edition.”
Crafting Worlds for GMs – Vol 3 for D&D from Adventurica offers “A supplement with world and battle maps, adventure hooks, new enemies, unique magic items, and more! Fully compatible with DnD 5e.”
Skull Dice Pendant – Wearable DND Dice from Magic Games pitches “A Compact and Stylish Accessory with Hidden Dice Storage for Your DnD Sessions”
Metal Goat Head Dice from Motion Games pitches “The hollow dice with bold exquisite goat heads add thrill to every roll.”
Fate of the Stormwailer: 5e Adventure from John Non submits “Explore the stormy region of Wildwinds. Rescue Stormwailer imprisoned in a flying keep.”
Guild Wars: 100 Guilds and Factions Ready to Play from Luke Jones introduces “100 Unique Guilds and Factions to Elevate Your Campaign World—Immerse Players in Intrigue, Power Struggles, and Rich Lore!”
Strange Tales of the Painted Wastelands from Christopher Willett kickstarts “Get the Painted Wastelands Zine and The Player’s Guide to the Painted Wastelands”
Sennzia from ironetic crowdfunds “The Queendom of Sennzia is a brand-new fairytale campaign setting suitable for use with your favorite tabletop role-playing games.”
Dungeon Map Maker & Map Pack from Doopy Games nominates “Draw your dungeon. Crawl your dungeon.”
Teen Noir TTRPG 2e #Zinequest from Epistolary Richard crowdfunds “Innovative tabletop rpg emulating the teen noir genre & telling stories of guilt, innocence, exclusion and betrayal.”
Warren Magazine #4: Horizons from WereRabbit Press raises funds for “Explore the Boundless Wilds of an Untamed 5E Frontier”
100 Unique Outer Planes for D&D 5e! from Igor Antunes submits “A DnD 5E Tome packed with: Epic Outer Worlds, Planes, Denizens & Hooks; 100+ pages of content for any Campaign! (Make 100)”
Sharky from Diel Cartulary offers “A fantasy roleplaying adventure module”
DarkEnergy 1.5e Adventure & Monster Bundle from Entanglement Interactive LLC introduces “A DarkEnergy Introductory Adventure for levels 1-5 and the Creature Reference Guide with over 250 monsters.”
I. The Land of Darnascus – The Sudden Awakening from flamigos miniatures nominates “Discover the beginning of our 28-32mm series, compatible with 5E and featuring playable TTRPG buildings along with functional props.”