Tag: Hasbro

The Weekly LIVE 281 – Sigil DOA, Wildsea Bundle of Holding, Black Powder and Brimstone and RipCrypt Dungeon Sprint

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Wizards of the Coast’s virtual tabletop project, Sigil, appears to be in trouble after mass layoffs eliminated 90% of its development team shortly after launch. Originally announced as part of the One D&D initiative in 2022, Sigil was intended to integrate with D&D Beyond and provide a high-end 3D alternative to existing VTTs like Roll20. However, the platform struggled with performance issues, unclear monetization plans, and a lack of a distinct purpose. Despite high-profile showcases, its reception was lukewarm, with a rushed release in February 2025 requiring a paid D&D Beyond subscription for full access. The layoffs suggest Wizards may be abandoning the project, leaving questions about future updates and support. With only a small team remaining, Sigil risks becoming another failed digital experiment by Wizards of the Coast.

The Wildsea, a narrative-driven weird-fantasy TTRPG by Mythworks, is set in a world overrun by rampant greenery, where chainsaw-powered ships navigate a vast, toxic forest canopy. Players take on roles as wildsailors—descendants of humanity and other strange beings—exploring ruins, hunting creatures, and trading rare goods. The complete Wildsea game line is now available for $19.95 in a Bundle of Holding, including the 368-page core rulebook, two sourcebooks (Storm & Root and Ship Gardens), and two full-length adventures (One-Armed Scissor and Red Right Hand). While the game offers deep immersion and unique mechanics, some rules may require careful interpretation. This limited-time bundle provides everything needed to dive into the richly detailed world of the Verdancy.

Blackpowder & Brimstone is a grimdark fantasy RPG by Benjamin Tobitt, published under Free League’s Workshop label and powered by the MÖRK BORG ruleset. Set in a world of religious schism and war, players take on the roles of desperate adventurers navigating a conflict between the Orthodox and Puritans of the Church of the Sacred Blood. The game blends swashbuckling action with gothic folk horror, featuring black powder weapons, demonic threats, and forbidden magic with dangerous consequences. It offers a rules-light, art-heavy experience with unique weapons, deadly combat, and rich lore. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Blackpowder & Brimstone is now available through Free League’s store and DriveThruRPG, promising intense, fast-paced gameplay where survival and profit go hand in hand.

RipCrypt, a fast-paced “dungeon sprint” TTRPG, is set to launch in 2025 through a partnership between indie studio Gritsilk Games and major publisher Modiphius Entertainment. Following a successful Kickstarter campaign, the game will be released in both retail and online stores, featuring a core rulebook, premium edition, and a control board. Set in the Undergrade, a maze of crypts and catacombs, RipCrypt blends tactical gameplay with immersive storytelling, catering to both newcomers and veteran RPG players. The game emphasizes quick character creation, fast combat resolution, and streamlined mechanics, with a roll-high d8 dice pool and unique progression system. With its lo-fi analog aesthetics, concise 148-page rulebook, and a wealth of illustrated content, RipCrypt aims to offer an engaging, accessible RPG experience that redefines the dungeon-crawling genre.

#sigil #wildsea #freeleague #ripcrypt

D&D Beyond Sigil:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sigil

Wildsea Bundle of Holding:

https://bundleofholding.com/presents/Wildsea

Black Powder and Brimstone (affiliate link):

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/515145/black-powder-and-brimstone-core-book

RipCrypt:

https://gritsilk.com/

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The Weekly LIVE 280 – Sigil Released,The Western Reaches, Rising POD Costs and AI Bull Cocks

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Dungeons & Dragons’ new virtual tabletop platform, Sigil, has launched with high expectations but demonstrates significant shortcomings, feeling incomplete and more akin to a pre-alpha version than a polished product. While it boasts aesthetically pleasing 3D graphics and ties to D&D Beyond for character integration, the app struggles with functionality, lacking essential features for game management and customization, which detracts from the user experience. Many users report frustrating bugs and inconsistencies with character imports and game mechanics, suggesting the need for manual oversight. Critics note that despite its visual appeal, Sigil does not adequately compete with established virtual tabletops, and its current state casts doubt on its potential for future improvement. Additionally, feedback from the community reflects skepticism about its overall viability as a go-to platform for D&D sessions, particularly given the limitations on customization and gameplay integration.

The newly launched crowdfunding campaign for the Western Reaches setting, designed for the Shadowdark roleplaying game by the Arcane Library, is rapidly gaining traction, having surpassed half a million dollars within hours of its start. With a goal to reach the million-dollar mark, this sandbox environment includes new classes, ancestries, and themed areas like the Gloaming Forest and Djurum Desert. The offering comes in two hardcover editions, priced at $129 and $149 for a premium version, with fulfillment anticipated by December 2025. As it stands, The Western Reaches already ranks as one of the highest first-day funded tabletop RPG projects, indicating significant interest from the gaming community.

DriveThruRPG has issued a warning to publishers about impending increases in Print on Demand (POD) costs, which could rise significantly—by 20-50%—starting April 1st due to escalating supply costs. This increase primarily affects black and white printing, including both hardcover and softcover formats, attributed to issues such as tariffs and supply chain disruptions. While DriveThruRPG has stated they won’t adjust selling prices immediately, the heightened publishing costs may lead to price increases for customers, particularly impacting smaller publishers who might face reduced profitability. Publishers are encouraged to consider purchasing POD products soon to avoid the upcoming price hikes.

Chris Cocks, Hasbro’s CEO, who has played Dungeons & Dragons for 40 years, emphasizes the importance of trust and collaboration in both gaming and corporate leadership. He has been focusing on a “pivot back to play” strategy at Hasbro, moving away from a previous emphasis on storytelling to enhance product design, innovation, and customer engagement. Cocks has reduced the company’s content spending significantly and shifted its approach toward capital-light licensing to maintain profitability, while also exploring new markets to address emerging challenges. He highlights the need for adaptability within the supply chain and aims to capture a broader customer base by creating affordable toys for emerging markets. Cocks is also an advocate for integrating artificial intelligence into gaming, arguing it can enhance creativity and engagement in Dungeons & Dragons. While he perceives AI as a tool that can democratize content creation, he acknowledges current platforms often fail to compensate creators adequately. He envisions future offerings that could enable parents to customize popular brands like Peppa Pig and enrich D&D campaigns, framing AI as a beneficial addition to the brand. Despite potential challenges related to tariffs and manufacturing costs, Cocks maintains a hopeful outlook for reaching more consumers and evolving Hasbro’s product lines to meet changing demographics and preferences.

D&D Beyond Sigil:
https://www.dndbeyond.com/sigil

The Western Reaches Kickstarter:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/shadowdarkrpg/western-reaches

Chris Cocks Interview’

https://www.semafor.com/article/03/06/2025/we-had-to-go-back-to-play-how-hasbros-dungeon-master-ceo-got-serious-about-games

#sigil #wshadowdark #dtrpg #chriscocks

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The Weekly LIVE 271 – D&D Gambling, Gundam Wargame, ToV Starter Set and Ultraviolet Grasslands 2E

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Hasbro has partnered with digital gambling firm Games Global to develop online slot games featuring the Dungeons & Dragons (DnD) brand. The first game in this collaboration, Dungeons and Dragons Tales of Riches, will be created by Neon Valley Studios and is set to release in the first quarter of 2025. The game aims to offer an immersive, story-driven slot experience, tapping into DnD’s global fanbase. While Hasbro has not officially commented on the project, the move is part of DnD’s 50th anniversary celebrations in 2024. This marks a new and unusual venture for Hasbro, as the company has previously licensed DnD for various non-gambling products but not for online casino games. Stern Pinball has also revealed a new Dungeons & Dragons-themed pinball table called The Tyrant’s Eye, created in collaboration with Wizards of the Coast. This game incorporates elements from the DnD universe, including character classes, dragons, and immersive storylines. Players battle Tiamat, the dragon queen, and other mythical creatures, while using pinball mechanics integrated with a fantasy adventure. Available in different editions, including a limited version with exclusive features, The Tyrant’s Eye offers a unique and collectible pinball experience. Both releases highlight the growing intersection of DnD with other forms of entertainment beyond traditional tabletop role-playing games.

The Tales of the Valiant Starter Set is designed for newcomers to tabletop role-playing games (TTRPGs), providing everything needed to start playing right away. Whether you want to take on the role of the Game Master, guiding adventures with dragons, goblins, and treasure, or play a heroic character battling evil, this set is accessible for all. Created by Steamforged in collaboration with Kobold Press, the Starter Set offers a comprehensive introduction to roleplaying, starting with the basics and progressing to your first adventure. The set includes 4 miniatures, a rules reference, two adventure books, battlemaps, polyhedral dice, character sheets, and color tokens, all for a retail price of $44.99. It is set to be available for pre-order in early 2025.

Ultraviolet Grasslands 2E is a highly anticipated, expanded edition of a tabletop role-playing game known for its psychedelic and otherworldly theme. Now enhanced with 252 pages, this new version offers streamlined character rules, expanded caravan options, and a brand-new bestiary. The game features a strange steppe landscape where players journey through time and space, combining elements of heavy metal, the Dying Earth genre, and the Oregon Trail. Notable updates include revamped spells, 50 new pet companions, and an expanded map. The book, presented in full color and hardcover, includes a PDF bundle, and the release comes with additional companion items like a referee screen and exclusive patch. It offers an exciting adventure through a fantastical world, enhanced by stunning artwork and design.

#UVG #gundam #ToV #wotc

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#magicmind #mentalwealth #mentalperformance

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The Weekly LIVE 267 – No More HasbroToy Movies, Lord of the Rings on D&D Beyond, Exodus TTRPG and Black Friday TTRPG Sales

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Hasbro has decided to step back from financing films based on its toys, following financial disappointments from movies like Dungeons & Dragons: Honor Among Thieves and Transformers One. While these films were critically appreciated, their box office returns fell short, prompting Hasbro to leave the movie-making business. The company is now open to licensing its brands for others to adapt into films but will no longer co-finance such projects. This decision is ironic given the massive success of 2023’s toy-based Barbie film, which became a global phenomenon. Under CEO Chris Cocks, a gaming-focused leader, Hasbro plans to shift its resources toward interactive entertainment, including a potential push into video game development. However, this pivot likely means fans won’t see sequels to movies like Honor Among Thieves, despite its creative take on classic D&D themes.

Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth can now access The Lord of the Rings Roleplaying sourcebook on D&D Beyond. Created by Swedish publisher Free League, this adaptation tailors the award-winning One Ring RPG for Dungeons & Dragons’ fifth edition ruleset. The 240-page guide features six classes, 12 subclasses, 14 species, and 42 unique feats designed to capture the essence of Tolkien’s world. It also includes adventure paths for levels 1–10, complemented by compatible maps for D&D Beyond’s virtual tabletop. While the physical book costs over $50 on Free League’s website, the D&D Beyond edition is available for $29.99, offering players a seamless way to explore Middle-earth using modern tools.

Wizards of the Coast’s Archetype Entertainment has announced Exodus: The Traveler’s Handbook, a tabletop RPG tied to its upcoming sci-fi video game Exodus. Created by James Ohlen, a veteran designer of classics like Baldur’s Gate and Knights of the Old Republic, this TTRPG invites players to lead “Travelers” on perilous missions involving alien artifacts and time-dilation consequences. The tabletop game is offered as a limited pre-order for “founders” who subscribe to the game’s email list before December 10. While details about gameplay mechanics remain scarce, speculation suggests a possible adaptation of D&D’s 5E rules. Both the game and TTRPG aim to expand the Exodus universe, blending space exploration with rich storytelling.

Tabletop role-playing game enthusiasts can find numerous Black Friday deals this season. Key highlights include discounts from Goodman Games (15–40% off), Paizo, and Exalted Funeral (25–50% off). Magpie Games is running month-long promotions, while Dungeon Alchemist offers 20% off its map-making software on Steam. Fans of smaller publishers can explore sales from Elf Lair Games and Arken Forge, among others, for a wide range of deals on adventures, supplements, and tools to enhance their gaming experience.

#lotr #dndbeyond #exodusrpg #blackfriday

BLACK FRIDAY SALES

Goodman Games:

https://goodman-games.com/store/ (15-40% off)
https://goodman-games.com/blog/2024/11/26/black-friday-is-early-save-up-to-40-on-5e-adventures/ (15-40% off)

Coupon codes goodhaul2024 and indiehaul2024 will be automatically applied to qualifying orders at checkout.

Paizo https://paizo.com/store/sale/blackFriday2024

Exalted Funeral https://www.exaltedfuneral.com (25-50% off)

Magpie Games https://magpiegames.com/ (month long sale)

City of Mists https://cityofmist.co/pages/shop

Elf Lair Games https://www.elflair.com https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/publisher/3869/Elf-Lair-Games

Arken Forge https://arkenforge.com

US$17.50 $35.00

Dungeon Alchemist -20% on Steam

https://store.steampowered.com/app/1588530/Dungeon_Alchemist/

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The Weekly LIVE 252 – Alchemy VTT Bundle, D&D VTT This Year, Pirate Borg Expansions and WotC Removes Credits

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Free League Publishing, known for RPGs such as Tales from the Loop, Symbaroum, and Coriolis, has launched an extensive Immersive RPG Bundle for the Alchemy virtual tabletop (VTT). This bundle includes 50 items from Free League’s catalog, covering various rulebooks, adventures, and supplemental materials. Normally valued at over $1,000, the bundle is available for $30. Additionally, purchasing the bundle supports Direct Relief, a nonprofit providing global medical aid. The bundle features games like Tales from the Loop, Vaesen – Nordic Horror Roleplaying, Dragonbane, and Mutant Year Zero, among others. It offers core rulebooks, expansion books, pre-made adventures, and campaign books, excluding the ALIEN RPG due to licensing constraints. This special offer runs for 19 more days.

During Hasbro’s Q2 earnings call, CEO Chris Cocks announced that the D&D virtual tabletop is set to be available later this year. Described as a “3D roleplaying sandbox experience,” the VTT will be previewed at GenCon and promises to enhance the digital D&D experience with its build on Unreal Engine 5. Pre-orders for the new Player’s Handbook include a virtual miniature of a gold dragon, indicating the platform’s readiness for use. The earnings call highlighted that Wizards of the Coast, part of Hasbro, continues to drive significant revenue growth, notably through digital products like Baldur’s Gate 3 and D&D Beyond. The new VTT aims to integrate D&D’s digital and physical gameplay, offering backward compatibility with fifth edition adventures and supplements, though third parties are already referring to the new rules as “5.5.”

Limithron has announced two new expansions for the Pirate Borg tabletop RPG, to be funded through a Kickstarter campaign launching on September 17. The expansions, titled Cabin Fever and Down Among the Dead, will be released as hardcover editions along with collectible items like GM screens, dice sets, custom coins, and ship combat tokens.Cabin Fever, created through the Known Conspirators community on itch.io, features over 144 pages of content from various creators. Down Among the Dead includes three new adventures, modular rulesets, and other GM resources across 120 pages. These expansions promise to add significant new content and options for Pirate Borg players.

Faith Elisabeth Lilley, a former member of the digital content team at Wizards of the Coast (WOTC), revealed that the team’s credits have been removed from D&D Beyond. The team was responsible for integrating book content into the online platform and contributing to the book development process. Although initially agreed that the team would be credited on D&D Beyond due to space limitations in physical books, their names have recently been removed without notice.The removal of credits has sparked disappointment and criticism within the community, as it undermines the contributions of those who significantly improved the quality and success of D&D’s digital and physical products.Also, Dark Horse Comics has announced a licensing deal with Wizards of the Coast to produce new comics and graphic novels based on Dungeons & Dragons and Magic: The Gathering, starting in 2025. This collaboration will feature original stories expanding the lore and universes of these popular games. Dark Horse has a history of publishing licensed gaming comics and aims to bring fresh, high-stakes stories to fans and newcomers alike.The partnership will include comic series, graphic novels, art books, and more, with a focus on engaging storytelling and captivating artwork. Fans can look forward to the first releases in the summer of 2025.

 

#alchemyvtt #pirateborg #onednd #dndbeyond

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:

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

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

Outgunned Adventure on Backerkit

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/two-little-mice/outgunned-2

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Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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The Weekly LIVE 240 – CMON Buys Japon Brand, Miku: The Gathering, Hasbro Videogames, Goblinko Videogame and Star Trek Adventures 2E

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CMON Limited has acquired Japon Brand, known for representing Japanese game designers and licensing their games internationally. Japon Brand’s president, Akio Nomura, aims to continue supporting Japanese game designers with CMON’s backing. Kadokawa Group has acquired Arclight, a major board game publisher in Japan, to expand its analog game development business. 

Wizards of the Coast has announced a collaboration with Hatsune Miku, the Vocaloid virtual idol for a Secret Lair drop. The set will initially be published in English and Japanese. When will this licensing madness end?

Hasbro is investing over $1 billion in internal game development, focusing on original IP like the upcoming game Exodus. This is motivated by the licensing deals of Baldur’s Gate 3 and Monopoly GO that have proven very lucrative. Just like their Haslab crowdfunding platform, their greed has motivated them to bring it all in-house thinking they will have the same success. 

GOBLINKO! has introduced Dungeon Degenerates: The Battle For Brüttelburg, a dark fantasy RPG. This 8-bit retro inspired action RPG will include mini games and a digital card game all set in the Dungeon Degenerates world setting.

Star Trek Adventures – Second Edition is available for pre-order, featuring streamlined rules, eliminating d6 challenge dice and adding expanded content. Additionally, First Edition products are on sale at a 50% discount. The first edition content will be “broadly compatible” with the new edition.

#CMON  #hatsunemiku #goblinko #startrekrpg

DUNGEON DEGENERATES: THE BATTLE FOR BRÜTTELBURG:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/seanaaberg/dungeon-degenerates-the-battle-for-bruttelburg

GOBLINKO WEBSITE:
https://goblinkomegamall.com/

Star Trek Adventures 2E Quickstart:

https://www.modiphius.net/products/star-trek-adventures-the-roleplaying-game-second-edition-quickstart-guide-pdf

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Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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The Weekly LIVE 227 – Tencent Buying DnD, CMON Dungeon Rescue, Rogue Trooper Movie and Tabletop Kickstarter Down

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Hasbro, the owner of Dungeons & Dragons, is reportedly in talks with Tencent for various rights, including electronic game adaptations. The report suggests a potential sale of the Dungeons & Dragons IP, but there are conflicting details. The success of Larian’s Baldur’s Gate 3 might have influenced Tencent’s interest in investing in similar projects.

Mythic Games, a crowdfunding-focused board game publisher, faced financial woes and outsourced its remaining projects to CMON. HEL: The Last Saga and Anastyr were sold to CMON due to challenges in completing the projects without additional funding from backers. The backlash from Kickstarter backers, the death threats received by Mythic Games’ co-founders, and the future of the company are all part of the difficulty.

Duncan Jones is working on an animated Rogue Trooper film based on the 2000AD comic strip, using Unreal Engine 5 for animation. The film has finished principal photography, and it is a collaboration between Rebellion, Liberty Films, and Treehouse Digital. A star-studded cast includes Aneurin Barnard, Hayley Atwell, Daryl McCormack, Matt Berry, Sean Bean, and Diane Morgan.

A report from Tabletop Analytics indicates a decline in Kickstarter funding for tabletop games in 2023 for the second consecutive year. The data suggests a 30% decrease in earnings for individual tabletop creators compared to the pre-COVID year of 2019. Kickstarter has not publicly disclosed its data for the first time in almost a decade, and the decline is attributed to factors like crowdfunding fatigue and increased competition. The importance of community management tools and concerns about Kickstarter’s permissive stance on AI generative art are highlighted.

#tencentl #CMON #roguetrooper #kickstarter

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

Dragonbane Core Set:
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The Weekly LIVE 222 – The Fellowship of the King, Don’t Look Back New Edition, Amazon Signs Warhammer and AI Art Accusations

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Demetrious Polychron, author of “The Fellowship of the King,” lost a lawsuit against Amazon and JRR Tolkien’s estate, claiming infringement on his Lord of the Rings fanfic. Polychron demanded $250 million but now owes $134,000 in legal fees to the Tolkien Estate. The court ruled that Polychron’s book infringed upon Amazon’s Rings of Power series. The judge described Polychron’s lawsuit as “frivolous and unreasonably filed.”

Black Site Studios released a new edition of the Horror miniatures game, Don’t Look Back, featuring updates, revamped mechanics, and new characters. The edition includes bonus rules for Vehicles and Companions, incorporating previous expansions. The set includes 32mm resin miniatures and a new Core Rulebook.

Amazon Studios secured global rights to Warhammer 40,000, with Henry Cavill set to star and executive produce multiple projects. The deal covers series, films, and more. Cavill, a high-profile Warhammer fan, expressed excitement, and Amazon plans to work with Games Workshop and Vertigo Entertainment. The announcement follows Cavill’s involvement in various upcoming projects. Games Workshop announced a £2,500 end-of-year bonus for all employees as part of its 2023 profit share scheme. This comes after the release of Warhammer 40,000’s 10th Edition ruleset and the Leviathan box set. Additionally, Warhammer: The Old World is set to receive a robust reboot in 2024.

Wizards of the Coast denied claims that generative AI was used in artwork teasing the 2024 core rulebooks. Responding to social media allegations, the company stated that no generative AI was used, consistent with their artist guidelines. The artist, Nestor Ossandón, defended the process, sharing early sketches and work-in-progress versions. Concerns over AI-created artwork in the industry were raised following recent layoffs at Hasbro.

Nightfall Games discovered that artwork for Terminator 2 and RESIST on Kickstarter had AI-generated elements, identified as resembling the ‘Midjourney’ AI art generator. The company expressed disappointment, stating AI art is theft, and vowed to fix the issue. They are working with external artists to ensure AI-free art and implementing checks before payment and acceptance. The team thanked backers for their support.

#blacksitestudios #henrycavill #jrrtolkien #nightfallgames

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Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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The Weekly LIVE 195 – NuTSR Bankrupt, Heroscapes Returns, Embracer Layoffs and Privateer Press Legacy Ends

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It appears that NuTSR, a company owned by Justin LaNasa, has filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy, which involves the liquidation of the company’s assets. According to documents filed in North Carolina, NuTSR’s gross revenue for 2023 is $621.93, while its total liabilities amount to over $384,000. The company gained attention in 2020 when Justin LaNasa and Stephen Dinehart registered the defunct TSR trademarks and launched a new venture involving Ernie Gygax, son of D&D co-creator Gary Gygax. However, NuTSR faced various controversies, including an attempted lawsuit against D&D publishers Wizards of the Coast, and in March 2022, they were sued by Wizards of the Coast.

On a different note, the game Heroscape, a wargaming classic, is set to return despite a failed crowdfunding campaign in the past. Renegade Game Studios has taken up the reboot of the miniatures game after the project called “Age of Annihilation” did not reach its funding goal. Heroscape is known for its accessible hex-based terrain, Lego-like fantasy miniatures, and beginner-friendly rules.

Additionally, Embracer Group, a major gaming publisher that owns studios such as Gearbox (known for Borderlands), Crystal Dynamics (known for Tomb Raider), and the rights to The Lord of the Rings, has announced a restructuring program. This program aims to make the company leaner, stronger, more focused, and self-sufficient. As part of this restructuring, layoffs, studio closures, and game cancellations are expected.

In a separate announcement, Privateer Press, a company known for its WARMACHINE, HORDES, and Riot Quest models, has stated that it will halt manufacturing for its Legacy models. This decision is in preparation for an upcoming facility move. Manufacturing of models cast in metal and resin will cease at the end of the week, and afterward, the company will fulfill online store orders only with remaining stock. Privateer Press has assured customers that the online store will be promptly updated to reflect available and out-of-stock items.

#NuTSR #privateerpress #heroscape #embracer

Full Glorious History of NuTSR:
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Dragonbane Actual Play Episode One:
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The Weekly LIVE 188 – Open Letter to D&D, Hasbro Hires Pinkertons, Hobgoblin Kickstarter and Pathfinder 2E Remaster

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D&D historian Ben Riggs offers an open letter to the game’s current publishers with advice for not making the same mistakes twice. Ben Riggs is a D&D historian and author of the book Slaying the Dragon: A Secret History of Dungeons & Dragons.

When Magic: The Gathering cards turned up on YouTube last week, publisher Wizards of the Coast sent private investigators from Pinkerton to retrieve them. The resulting confrontation reportedly frightened one woman to tears, and resulted in the confiscation of nearly two dozen boxes of cards by private investigators. Wizards confirmed the incident to Polygon. Meanwhile, the presenter denies anything illegal occurred.

Mike Hutchinson’s Hobgoblin is a fast-paced and thrilling rank and flank tabletop miniatures wargame set in the fantastical underground world of The Rotvärlden. With simple and adaptable rules, players can collect and field any fantasy army they can imagine and engage in brutal battles that last under two hours. The game features original artwork from graphic artist CROM and encourages players to let their wild imaginations run free as they battle alongside cavern fortresses and underground oceans. Whether you’re a seasoned player of fantasy army wargames or new to the genre, Hobgoblin offers a fresh and exciting take on the fantasy mass battle experience. 

Paizo announced an all-new effort this morning with the reveal of the Pathfinder Second Edition Remaster Project happening this year. The company will release four new hardcover rulebooks designed to provide a new entry point for Second Edition, with the first two books being revitalized versions of the Player Core and GM Core books, set to be released this November. Followed by the Monster Core (March 2024) and  Player Core 2 (July 2024), completing the remastered presentation of the core rules. The new rulebooks are compatible with existing Second Edition items with improvements, incorporating comprehensive errata and rules updates, as well as being easier-to-access volumes with some of the latest content.

#hasbro #pathfinder2E #hobgoblin #dnd5e

Ben Riggs Open Letter to D&D:
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