Ludo Labo’s RPG Magnifico award has gone to the indie TTRPG Oceania 2084 – Surplus Edition. It’s a big deal in Europe.
Oceania 2084 is steeped in Orwell’s prophetic dystopia. In this oppressive future ruled by the Party and the ever-watchful eye of Big Brother, the characters are not compliant citizens – they are members of the resistance. Designed for 3-8 players, Oceania 2084 delivers an asymmetric, adversarial experience blending narrative-first storytelling with roguelike challenges. Each session tests PC’s will to survive, their ability to maintain human connection, and their courage to defy a regime built on lies. In a world where War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, and Ignorance is Strength, victory isn’t found in overthrowing the state but in the defiant acts of truth and hope shared against overwhelming odds.
Johan Eriksson, the game’s designer, told Geek Native;
This is the first ever award any of my games have received. It is huge for me. It means the world to me whenever anyone gives any kind of feedback, be it a comment on reddit or or a like on a post. This is that times a thousand. I am a tiny solo indie developer, and Oceania 2084 is my first ever big TTRPG product. It is my first book. It is also in many ways a very personal game and I have spent the better part of the last six years refining it. For a jury to not only acknowledge it but deem it the best out of the six finalists is, as I said, huge. I also want to mention that I did not know that the game was even under consideration until I noticed an uptick in visits from Italy and started digging around online, only to realize that my game was one of 6 finalists. That was last week. And now, I find myself in a state of disbelief and euphoria.
Oceania 2084 is published as a PDF through Itch.io where Johan Eriksson maintains Jocher Games, and the hardback is sold on BigCartel.
What next from Johan? Geek Native understands the designer is working on a solo journaling game about reconciliation with a deceased parent.
Oceania 2084 is still being supported, and Johan plans to publish supplements for the game.
