The Weekly LIVE 258 – Cyberpunk 2077 Boardgame, Faster Purple Worm the Book, Wharf Rat Games and AI Usage in D&D

Posted on September 14, 2024 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Cyberpunk 2077: The Board Game has smashed its crowdfunding goals on Gamefound, raising almost $4 million, having reached its funding target within 10 minutes of launch. Developed by Go On Board, the creators of previous Witcher board games, this cooperative, scenario-based tactical combat game offers a mix of RPG elements, deck building, crafting, and real-time turns. A companion app narrates the campaign and times each round, adding urgency and tension. Players can customize characters with cybernetic enhancements and make narrative decisions that impact future missions. The game’s dynamic gameplay and narrative flexibility promise replayability, appealing to fans of the Cyberpunk franchise.

Actor and director Matthew Lillard’s company, Beadle & Grimm’s, is releasing a Dungeons & Dragons book based on his comedy TV show Faster, Purple Worm, Kill! Kill! titled Faster Purple Worm: Everybody Dies. The book features 15 one-shot adventures, all of which end in a Total Party Kill (TPK), designed for improvisational play. While most RPG players avoid TPKs, Lillard’s book aims to make death fun, with tips for spontaneous gameplay and adaptation for ongoing campaigns. The Kickstarter campaign has already hit its funding goals, unlocking extra adventures, and hinting at a future second volume.

Wharf Rat Games, founded by designers Wes Crawford and Ryan Heilman, aims to streamline the board game publishing process. The company plans to focus on one game at a time, cutting down the time between signing a game and its release. With a mission to produce medium-difficulty games with engaging themes, Wharf Rat Games is actively seeking submissions with historical, sci-fi, or fantasy themes. Their first project is The Pursuit of John Wilkes Booth, a game about the hunt for Lincoln’s assassin. By prioritizing communication and collaboration with designers, the company seeks to support unique, polished games.

Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks spoke about the role of AI in the future of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) during a Goldman Sachs event. While Wizards of the Coast has banned AI-generated artwork from D&D and Magic: The Gathering, Cocks acknowledged the potential of AI to enhance user-generated content and assist with campaign development. Though controversial, Cocks emphasized the need for careful, responsible use of AI, ensuring creators are compensated and distinguishing AI-generated work. This statement comes amid broader discussions about AI’s role in the creative process across Hasbro’s vast portfolio of brands.

#cyberpunk2077 #DnD #wharfratgames #AI

Submit to Wharf Rat Games:

https://wharfratgames.com/submissions

Cyberpunk 2077 on Backerkit

https://gamefound.com/en/projects/go-on-board/cyberpunk-2077-the-board-game

Barbarians of Lemuria Mythic+ Edition

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ludospherik/barbarians-of-lemuria-mythic-edition-0

StarTrek Adventures First Edition Bundle:

https://www.humblebundle.com/books/star-trek-adventure-rpg-first-edition-collection-modiphius-books?partner=upturnedtable

Deadzone Frontier:

https://www.myminifactory.com/frontier/deadzone-2774

Immersive RPG Bundle for Alchemy VTT (affiliate link):

https://www.humblebundle.com/software/free-league-immersive-rpg-bundle-for-alchemy-vtt-software?partner=upturnedtable

Alien 2E Kickstarter Campaign URL: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1192053011/alien-rpg-second-edition-and-rapture-protocol

4-Hour Dune RPG Review:

https://www.patreon.com/posts/review-dune-in-106781242

Humble Bundle (affiliate link):

https://www.humblebundle.com/?partner=upturnedtable

Check out our new shirts on Red Bubble:
https://www.redbubble.com/shop/ap/161648028?ref=studio-promote

Try Fantasy Grounds VTT (affiliate link):

http://affiliates.fantasygrounds.com/360148/15958

Outgunned RPG – Action Hero Pledge UNBOXING:
https://youtu.be/IYDyzNvQQKo

Shop at Noble Knight Games (affiliate link)
https://www.nobleknight.com/affiliate/aw.asp?B=3&A=1312&Task=Click

Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jC9u841QuXM

Dragonbane Core Set:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/418106/Dragonbane-Core-Set

Dragonbane Free Quickstart:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/409397/Dragonbane-Quickstart

Support Us by Shopping on DTRPG (afilliate link):
https://www.drivethrurpg.com?affiliate_id=2081746

Matt’s DriveThruRPG Publications:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse.php?author=Matthew%20Robinson

https://substack.com/@matthewrobinson3

Chris on social media:
https://hyvemynd.itch.io/

Abusecartoons Weekly Cartoons:
http://www.abusecartoons.com/
https://www.twitch.tv/abusecartoons
https://twitter.com/abusecartoons

Support Us on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/upturnedtable

Give us a tip on our livestream:
https://streamlabs.com/upturnedtabletop/tip

Intro song is “Chips” by KokoroNoMe
https://kokoronome.bandcamp.com/

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 42:22 — 42.4MB) | Embed

Subscribe to Upturned Table RSS | More

The Weekly LIVE 205 – Asmodee Loses Billions, D&D Whiskey, Dolmenwood Kickstarter and Night Vale RPG

Posted on August 27, 2023 by upturnedtable_sx8obi

Asmodee, the tabletop publishing company known for games like Catan, Ticket to Ride, and Pandemic, faced a setback as its corporate owner, Embracer Group, lost a $2 billion investment deal with Saudi Arabian partner Savvy Gaming Group. This deal was reportedly tied to a Saudi government investment fund. Asmodee’s parent company Embracer Group had previously been purchased by Sweden-based Embracer group. The failed deal led to stock price drops and cost-cutting measures. Despite this, Asmodee performed well in the first fiscal quarter of 2023, with increased sales and organic growth. The company also mentioned various upcoming releases and highlighted its successful performance despite the parent company’s challenges.

Matthew Lillard, known for his roles in movies like “Scream” and his involvement in Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), launched a new line of game-inspired spirits called Quest’s End through his company Find Familiar Spirits. Lillard also discussed his passion for D&D and his involvement in TTRPG-related ventures like Beadle & Grimm’s. He’s also part of an improv and live gameplay series called “Faster, Purple Worm! Kill Kill!” that blends D&D and improv comedy. He highlighted the joy of playing with family and friends and emphasized the positive impact of tabletop role-playing games in his life.

The Dolmenwood Tabletop Roleplaying Game by Gavin Norman, after 10 years of development, offers an immersive fantasy adventure set in a richly crafted world inspired by British Isles folklore. Seamlessly blending the eerie and whimsical aspects of fairy tales, players embark on journeys through enchanting woods and mystical landscapes. The game provides streamlined rules suitable for both beginners and experienced role-players, introducing novel magic and creatures. The setting, available on Kickstarter since August 9th, 2023, includes three core books: the Player’s Book with comprehensive rules, the Campaign Book detailing the expansive campaign world, and the Monster Book featuring an array of creatures. Characters can be diverse, from goat-headed breggles to capricious woodgrues, each with nine unique classes. The open sandbox world encourages exploration across a detailed map, while the intuitive Old-School Essentials rules system ensures easy adaptation. Modern formatting enhances gameplay, and a range of extras such as adventures, miniatures, maps, and a soundtrack album further enrich the experience. A 76-page preview PDF offers insights into the game’s core content, promising an extensive world with engaging features across its three books.

Finally, the popular fiction podcast “Welcome to Night Vale” is set to be adapted into a tabletop RPG by Renegade Game Studios. The RPG will allow fans to explore the strange and eerie town of Night Vale in a tabletop setting. The game is expected to use Renegade’s Essence20 system, which incorporates a 20-sided die and skill dice for resolving challenges and obstacles.

#dolmenwood #nightvale #questsend #asmodee

Dolmenwood Tabletop RPG Kickstarter:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/exaltedfuneral/dolmenwood-tabletop-rpg