To coincide with Origins Game Fair 2018 (June 13 to 17, 2018), I wrote articles spotlighting some of the games and personalities that were at Origins. Below is a collection of those articles as well as a shout out to Esper Genesis for 5e and Christopher Negelein (I didn’t get over to see the game but I still wanted to share it here because it looks amazing and easy to pick up for all D&D 5e players).
- During the convention, I posted a look at 6 D&D 5e Kickstarters – Spectacular Settlements, The Curse of Roslof Keep, The Runewild, The Steel Road, The Bespoken Bestiary, and Carcosa
- Dream Askew // Dream Apart – During the con, this Kickstarter ended with 1,705 backers pledging CA$62,355. While Avery Alder’s prior game, MonsterHearts 2, did not win an Origins Award, it appeared among some amazing games and it speaks volumes to the game.
- Cold Steel Wardens: Roleplaying in the Iron Age of Comics – I got to play a session of this on the first day of the con and I appreciated its mechanics and how they conformed to the setting.
- Survive This!! Zombies! – I got to play a session of this OSR with creator, Eric Bloat. It was inspiring and I’m looking forward to the upcoming SURVIVE THIS!! Vigilante City (check out the free preview on DriveThruRPG).
- Starship Infernum: a tabletop RPG of Interstellar Survival – I did not make it over to their table during the con (lots going on at the con), but this Kickstarter runs until July 4 2018 8:00 PM EDT.
- Baker Street – I got to talk to Bryce Whitacre, discuss the con, Baker Street: Roleplaying in the world of Sherlock Holmes, and what’s coming next for Fearlight Games.
- Ankur: Kingdom of the Gods – Chris Miller is from Atlanta (as am I) so we’ve talked at several conventions. It was good to catch up.
- Fates of Madness, an RPG Card Game – Due to bad timing on my part, I only got to say hi to Jimmy Sanders, but his demos were running back-to-back and his Kickstarter is going strong.
- Art of War – I missed Greg LaRose at Origins, but I still await the return of his Art of War Kickstarter.
- PunVerse – I got to talk to Justin Ryan Isaac! Here’s Justin’s review of Origins Game Fair 2018. He rocks! 😉
Esper Genesis for 5e from Alligator Alley Entertainment
“Esper Genesis is a versatile science fiction RPG and setting that uses the 5th edition rules of the world’s greatest roleplaying game.
Galaxies at war, high-tech gadgets and weapons, robots, aliens, starfighters, space cruisers, and ancient machines with the power to shape reality – All of these and more make up the core of Esper Genesis. Brace yourself for high adventure in hyperspace as you strive to make your mark within the great expanse!
Esper Genesis is a science-fiction tabletop roleplaying game powered by the 5th Edition rules engine and inspired by sci-fi greats such as Star Wars, Mass Effect, Phantasy Star, and Ghost in the Shell. Taking on the role of a galactic hero, you can forge your destiny within a universe of advanced technologies and hidden mysteries. Beyond just a bunch of mechanics, Esper Genesis is a powerhouse of awesome sci-fi that’s fully compatible and interchangeable with any official 5E product.
“Heroic Sci-fi Roleplaying“ is the heart of this game. Like the core of 5E, Esper Genesis is just as focused on amazing adventures as it is with fast and easy mechanics. Exotic personalities, alien cultures, and galactic lore are woven together into the setting’s rich history. With a universe that’s immersive from beginning to end, every one of your characters is already part of a fantastic setting you can use to build your own cool sci-fi legend.
Create extraordinary personas from soldiers and spies with high-powered gadgets, to engineers wielding specialized rigs and robotics. Though there is no magic, gifted adepts known as “Espers” channel their cosmic energies through powerful devices, producing spectacular feats of gravity control, psychic ability, and the power to shape the very fabric of space-time.
And that’s only the beginning! Esper Genesis has a unique, adaptable rules system for starship combat. Strap in and blast through the stars in a ship of your own or as part of an ace crew in your party-owned and operated vessel. We’ve also developed an extended list of new weapons, armor, gear, and enhancements, all tailored to provide you with a full scale sci-fi experience.”
Egg’s Thoughts:
I missed this Kickstarter when it was going on, but 336 backers that pledged $24,313 did not. The short pitch – D&D 5e rules used for an epic sci-fi/space opera. If you know 5e, this is an option to take the rules from the dungeon and up into the heavens. If you don’t know 5e, the advertisements assure that “[y]ou do not need the D&D rulebooks or any other 5E product in order to play.” The core rulebook is available now as well as four free samples over at DriveThruRPG and they’re worth looking into.
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Want your RPG Kickstarter reviewed? Have some RPG wanna-lancer thoughts to share? Contact me here or on Facebook (Egg Embry) or on Google Plus (+Egg Embry).
Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links to DriveThruRPG.com and Amazon.com.
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Egg Embry, Wanna-lancer™
Wanna-lancer™ Checklist T-shirt available at Cafepress
Interested in being a wanna-lancer? Start with the official Wanna-lancer Checklist t-shirt or wall clock or ice tea glass!
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Egg Embry wrote comic book short stories, edited comic book series, wrote and drew a webcomic, and contributed to comic book journalism across the 2000s. Now, he buys the opportunity to write for a variety of tabletop role-playing games in the tradition of vanity press. His purchases have been published by a variety of companies:
- Sasquatch Game Studio’s Primeval Thule for 5e available at DriveThruRPG.com – Writer
- Ember Design Studios’ Yrisa’s Nightmare for 5e and Pathfinderavailable at DriveThurRPG.com – Writer
- Ember Design Studios’ Rats in the Street for 5e and Pathfinder available at DriveThurRPG.com – Writer & Artist
- Kobold Press’ Tome of Beasts for 5eavailable at KoboldPress.com – Playtester
- Kobold Press’ Deep Magic 9: Ring Magic (5e) available at KoboldPress.com – Playtester
- EN World’ Gaming at the Kids’ Table Column – Journalist
- Total Party Kill Games’ Slaughter at Splinterfang Gorge – Writer
- Total Party Kill Games’ Fifth Edition Fighter Folio – Writer
- Codex The Gauntlet’s Monthly RPG Zine – Writer
- MidCity Comics’ Soon-to-be-Announced Comic Book Mini-Series – Writer
Want your RPG Kickstarter reviewed? Have some RPG wanna-lancer thoughts to share? Contact me here or onFacebook (Egg Embry) or on Google Plus (+Egg Embry).
