Games Workshop has unveiled a new teaser trailer for Astartes II, the much-anticipated follow-up to the acclaimed Astartes animation. While the teaser doesn’t showcase actual footage from the upcoming project, it hints at the backstories of key characters and sets the tone for a grimdark narrative deeply rooted in Warhammer 40,000 lore. Syama, the creator of the original Astartes, is collaborating closely with the Warhammer Studio to deliver another visually stunning and action-packed story. The animation is set to release in 2026, leaving fans with a long wait, but in the meantime, they can explore other Warhammer+ animations, including Return to Cadia from the Hammer and Bolter series.

Meanwhile, the Legacy of Kain franchise is making a return with a tabletop RPG, Scourge of the Sarafan, developed by Lost in Cult and published under the MÖRK BORG system. Set in Nosgoth, the game allows players to take on the role of vampire-hunting warrior-priests as they battle the growing undead menace. Alongside this, The Book of Nosgoth, an in-depth encyclopedia exploring the franchise’s history, lore, and development, is also in the works. Both projects are being crowdfunded and will be available individually or as part of a deluxe edition. With Legacy of Kain’s dark themes of fate, free will, and morality, this revival aims to immerse fans once again in the gothic world of Nosgoth.

The ENnie Awards, a prestigious tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) awards ceremony, has announced that from the 2025-2026 cycle onward, any product containing generative AI content will be ineligible. This decision follows criticism of their previous 2023 policy, which allowed AI-generated content in certain categories while restricting it in others. After receiving feedback from the TTRPG community, the ENnies determined that AI-generated content undermines creativity and originality, leading to this stricter policy. The new rule applies to AI-assisted writing, visual content, and editing, ensuring that all submitted works are entirely human-made. While the policy does not retroactively affect the 2024-2025 awards, it marks a significant shift in response to industry concerns over AI’s role in creative endeavors. The TTRPG community has largely welcomed this decision, seeing it as a victory for human creators in an industry increasingly wary of AI’s influence. Many companies, including Wizards of the Coast, have taken a stance against AI-generated content on ethical grounds, citing issues of originality and fairness. The ENnie Awards, a volunteer-run organization, emphasized their commitment to fostering human-driven creativity and innovation within the community. As the landscape of game development continues to evolve, this policy ensures that the ENnies remain a platform for celebrating genuine artistic and narrative efforts.

Dirtbags! is a fast-paced, rules-lite sci-fi shooter RPG by The Dungeon’s Key, launching on Kickstarter for #ZineQuest on January 28th. Set in a dystopian, corporate-run future, players take on the role of convicts forced into the Military Foundation’s Rehabilitation Incentive Program (R.I.P.), battling alien infestations, pirates, and undertaking dangerous missions in the hope of freedom. The game features three core ability scores, a unique two D6 dice pool system for actions and ammo, and five character roles, emphasizing tactical and cinematic combat. Inspired by Starship Troopers, Tank Girl, and Aliens, Dirtbags! critiques corporate greed and explores mature themes while maintaining an action-packed experience. A free Quickstart Guide will be available at launch.

#astartes2 #legacyofkain #ennies #dirtbags!

Astartes II Trailer:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sbgYaeerXhg

Legacy of Kain TTRPG on Backerlit:

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/lost-in-cult/legacy-of-kain-ttrpg-and-official-encyclopaedia

ENnies Awards Policy:

https://ennie-awards.com/revised-policy-on-generative-ai-usage/

Dirtbags!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thedungeonskey/dirtbags-a-sci-fi-shooter-ttrpg

Zinequest on Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/zinequest

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PAX Unplugged has solidified its position as the second-largest tabletop gaming convention in the U.S., boasting its largest post-pandemic event at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia. Its prime location near major metropolitan areas like New York City and Washington, D.C., gives it a significant advantage, drawing attendees and exhibitors alike. While specific attendance numbers weren’t disclosed, experts estimate that its turnout exceeds the 17,706 reported by Origins Game Fair by 50-100%. With nearly 400 exhibitors, compared to Origins’ 326, PAX Unplugged provides a robust showcase for board and card games, often serving as an alternative to the oversaturated Gen Con.

Games Workshop has taken a bold step by granting Amazon exclusive rights to adapt Warhammer 40,000 into film and TV. This move has fans both excited and wary, given the mixed history of geek franchises transitioning to mainstream media. While licensing promises a lucrative revenue stream with minimal costs, mishandling the beloved Warhammer IP could alienate the loyal fanbase that has sustained Games Workshop since 1983. Amazon’s track record—ranging from the success of Fallout to the controversial Rings of Power—underscores the risks and rewards of this partnership. If successful, it could position Games Workshop as a leading player in media licensing while drawing new fans to its tabletop universe.

Free League has unveiled two elven expansions, Realms of the Three Rings for The One Ring RPG and Keepers of the Elven-rings for its 5E counterpart, deepening players’ exploration of Tolkien’s Middle-earth. These expansions focus on the realms of Lórien, Rivendell, and Lindon, highlighting their lore, landmarks, and the enduring power of the Three Rings. Players can also delve into Sauron’s dark schemes and take on the roles of High Elves or Elf-lords. Available for pre-order with immediate PDF access, the expansions continue Free League’s tradition of blending rich storytelling with accessible game design, appealing to both Tolkien enthusiasts and tabletop RPG fans.

Free League has partnered with Italian studio Two Little Mice to publish the cinematic action RPG Outgunned. Drawing inspiration from classic action and heist films, Outgunned uses innovative “Director’s Cut” dice mechanics, emphasizing combinations over totals. Players take on the roles of heroes fighting against formidable villains in high-stakes missions. With the core rulebook, expansions, and a mini-campaign now available, Outgunned joins Free League’s portfolio of award-winning games like MÖRK BORG and ALIEN RPG. This new addition reflects Free League’s commitment to delivering immersive and genre-diverse gaming experiences.

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Modiphius Entertainment has acquired Strato Minis Studio, a Polish company known for its resin miniatures and games such as Hardwar, Retrobots, and Stratoyager. Modiphius will take over the development of these lines, starting with a re-launch of Hardwar, a 6mm scale miniatures game centered on sci-fi mech, armor, and aerial combat. Modiphius co-founder Chris Birch praised the Strato Minis team for their intricate world-building and expressed plans to expand the game’s audience. The new Hardwar line will be released in stages, including a reprint of the core rules and a free quickstart PDF to help new players.

The CRIT Awards, organized by Ivy, announced on June 24 that their in-person ceremony would not return to Gen Con due to safety concerns. This decision followed social media backlash after the nomination of a performer associated with WafflesMapleSyrup, a studio criticized for its Zionist stance. Omega Jones, the intended host, suggested that Gen Con forced the awards to withdraw due to their anti-Zionist stance. The CRIT Awards emphasized the difficulty of the decision and urged the community to avoid harassment or violence. No official comments were received from Gen Con or CRIT Awards at the time of publication.

The Caverns of Thracia, a legendary mega-dungeon adventure, has successfully raised $352,007, far exceeding its $10,000 goal. The campaign offers both 5E and Dungeon Crawl Classics (DCC) editions, featuring a rich narrative set in an ancient dungeon filled with formidable foes and numerous secrets. The project supports a full-year campaign with extensive content, including new monsters, magic items, and spells. Stretch goals have expanded the adventure’s scope, and new scenarios and add-ons have been introduced. Backers can choose between classic hardcover or special limited editions with unique cover art and custom dice sets inspired by the adventure’s theme.

Rascal News, an independent TTRPG and culture outlet, is running its first pledge drive to ensure sustainability and support freelance writers. Launched in February, Rascal has grown to 4,150 members, including 1,050 paying subscribers. The drive aims to enable the co-founders to write full-time and commission more freelance content. Subscriber goals range from increasing contributors to attending conventions and launching a podcast. The drive runs from July 1 to August 3, with various events planned to engage the community and attract new subscribers. Rascal remains committed to reader-funded, ad-free journalism and seeks support to continue its unique, voice-driven coverage of the TTRPG world.

#modiphius #critawards #cavernsofthracia #rascalnews

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Modiphius is holding a clearance sale before transferring the license for the Conan Roleplaying Game to Monolith. All physical and digital content from Modiphius will be discontinued on June 30th. While many physical books for the game have sold out, PDF copies of all the books are still available. The Conan Roleplaying Game has been well-received with various supplements and accessories released alongside the core rules. There is also a Quickstart Adventure available for those interested.

Modiphius, known for their official tabletop RPGs for Dune, Fallout, and Star Trek, is venturing into a new concept called Dreams and Machines. This post-apocalyptic sci-fi RPG aims to attract curious players with a starter set, making it more accessible. Pre-orders for Dreams and Machines are open on Modiphius’ website, and the game will be showcased at Gen Con 2023. The TRPG is set on a planet isolated from Earth due to a devastating robotic uprising, where society is slowly rebuilding while living in fear of dormant mecha known as Wakers.

Cephlofair Games has launched a significant crowdfunding campaign called the “Gloomhaven Grand Festival” to fund multiple Gloomhaven-related projects. This includes a new edition of Gloomhaven, a Gloomhaven Roleplaying Game, and a comprehensive miniatures set. The campaign has already raised over $1 million, surpassing half of its $2 million goal. Gloomhaven is a highly acclaimed campaign-style board game known for its dungeon-crawling gameplay. A Kickstarter campaign for its sequel, Frosthaven, previously held the record as the most-funded tabletop Kickstarter, raising nearly $13 million.

Renegade Game Studios, which produces licensed TTRPGs like Transformers, GI Joe, and Vampire: The Masquerade, has issued a cease and desist letter to a small creator using the word “renegade.” The Polyhedral Knights had a Kickstarter campaign for their game called ‘Renegade City,’ which is a tabletop RPG centered around playing criminals using dominoes instead of dice. Renegade Game Studios’ claim to the word ‘renegade’ has sparked controversy and may result in unintended negative consequences, known as the Streisand Effect. The Polyhedral Knights received a letter from Renegade Game Studios’ lawyers demanding the removal of the word ‘Renegade’ from their game’s title.

#modiphius #conan #gloomhaven #renegade

Modiphius End of the Line Clearance Sale:

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