A podcast from Japan about games and gamers.
Osaka, Japan
CMON, already facing financial difficulties exacerbated by import tariffs, has sold its flagship Zombicide IP to Asmodee under the Guillotine Games label. This follows CMON's earlier sale of three other prominent board game lines (Blood Rage, Rising Sun, and ANKH: Gods of Egypt) to Tabletop Tycoon in May, along with staff layoffs and frozen […]
Free League Publishing has launched a successful Kickstarter campaign for two new supplements to their award-winning Dragonbane fantasy RPG. The campaign features “Arkand: City of Waves and Flames,” which introduces players to a seaside city setting with over a dozen adventure sites, complete with a full-color map. The second supplement, “Book of Magic,” adds […]
Catalyst Game Labs announced $5 increases on Forcepacks and Box Sets, and $1 increases on Salvage Box products due to tariffs. They paid $240,000 in unexpected import taxes in March, with a 30% tariff requiring 10% MSRP increases. RPG sourcebooks remain unaffected due to a 2024 U.S. Customs ruling classifying RPG books as “books” […]
Wizkids recently released pre-painted miniatures of the Baldur's Gate 3 characters in partnership with Wizards of the Coast, and the results were catastrophically poor. The miniatures featured severely distorted faces, misplaced features, and in some cases missing parts entirely (one customer reportedly received a headless Shadowheart). The quality was so abysmal that Wizkids issued […]
Audio from all sessions of our Outgunned: Indy Heat 1985 actual play Matt is the Director and Jeremy, Will and Terry are the players. The setting is an 80s buddy cop movie set in Indianapolis circa 1985. #outgunnedrpg #actualplay #80smovies #buddycop From the website: Outgunned is a cinematic action rpg inspired by the classics […]
The United States and China have reached an agreement to reduce their additional tariffs on each other's imports. China will cut its extra levies on American goods from 125% to 10%, while the US will reduce its additional tariffs on Chinese products from 145% to 30%. Some of these reduced tariffs will be suspended […]
Denver-based game creator Luke Stratton, a former concert lighting designer, developed a pirate-themed tabletop RPG called “Pirate Borg” during the pandemic. However, his business is now facing significant challenges due to new import tariffs that have more than doubled the cost of manufacturing game components in China from $50,000 to $125,000. With limited alternatives, […]
The Pacific Legal Foundation has filed a lawsuit on behalf of Stonemaier Games and other small business plaintiffs challenging the legality of recently applied tariffs on Chinese imports. The lawsuit, detailed in an April 30, 2025 article, argues that President Biden's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to impose these tariffs […]
Stonemaier Games, a major US-based tabletop game publisher known for hits like Wingspan and Scythe, has joined a lawsuit against former President Donald Trump in response to new US tariffs on Chinese imports. These tariffs, which have soared to 145%, are dramatically impacting the board game industry, which heavily relies on Chinese manufacturing. Stonemaier's […]
Jeremy Crawford, long-time Game Director for Dungeons & Dragons, is officially stepping down from Wizards of the Coast later this month, joining fellow veteran Chris Perkins, who recently departed as Creative Director. Both Crawford and Perkins have been instrumental in shaping the game's highly successful Fifth Edition and have served as the public faces […]
Wizards of the Coast has officially shut down its long-anticipated Sigil Virtual Tabletop (VTT), a project that consumed years of development and significant funding. With the closure came massive layoffs, and Sigil has now been relegated to a minor feature for D&D Beyond subscribers. Despite this, Wizards released the “Unclaimed Treasure Pack” containing two […]
Paul Sawyer, a co-founder of Warlord Games and a prominent figure in the wargaming community, passed away on March 27, 2025, after a long battle with brain cancer. His passing was announced by both his family and Warlord Games, who expressed their deep sorrow and appreciation for his contributions. Sawyer was described as a […]
Catalyst Game Labs has announced BattleTech: Gothic, a standalone, themed-box expansion for the long-running BattleTech tabletop game. Departing from its traditional sci-fi roots, this new installment introduces a grimdark setting reminiscent of Warhammer 40,000, featuring biomechanical monsters known as “Abominations” and heavily ornamented mechs. This release is the first in the BattleTech Continuum, an […]
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 […]
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 […]
Ernie Gygax Jr., son of Dungeons & Dragons co-creator Gary Gygax, passed away recently after struggling with health issues, as confirmed by his brother Luke. He played a pivotal role in shaping early D&D by participating in its playtesting and contributing to the game's mechanics. Notably, he introduced the character Tenser, a wizard whose […]
Free League and Skybound have announced Invincible – Superhero Roleplaying, a tabletop RPG based on Robert Kirkman's Invincible comic series, which has been adapted into a Prime Video animated show. The game, set to launch on Kickstarter later this year, will feature a Core Rulebook and Starter Set with illustrations by original artists Cory […]
Fallen London: The Roleplaying Game is an officially licensed tabletop RPG set in the eerie, gothic world of Fallen London, a subterranean Victorian city filled with intrigue, immortality, and eldritch horrors. Developed by Magpie Games using the Ædana System, the game allows players to create unique characters and form a “concern”—a group bound by […]
Blades '68 is an official supplement for Blades in the Dark by Tim Denee and Evil Hat Productions, moving the setting forward 100 years into the turbulent 1960s. Set in Doskvol after the end of Unity War III, the world is now shaped by electroplasmic fusion and the so-called Age of Consensus, marked by […]
Green Ronin Publishing is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2025 with a yearlong series of special events, sales, and reflections on its history. Founder Chris Pramas entered the RPG industry as a freelancer in 1993 and worked on various RPGs before joining Wizards of the Coast in 1998. After spending time writing for Advanced […]
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 […]
The upcoming release of “The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship”, a cooperative tabletop game by Matt Leacock and Z-Man Games, brings the world of Middle-earth to life this June. Players will work together as heroes to protect Middle-earth's havens from advancing enemies while helping Frodo evade the Nazgûl on his journey […]
The Batman: Gotham City Chronicles – The Roleplaying Game has launched a crowdfunding campaign on Gamefound, featuring 127 miniatures, books, tile maps, dice, and other materials to immerse players in the Batman universe. Following Monolith Boardgames' earlier successful campaigns, this new project includes the “Skyline Edition” pledge for RPG content and a “Sidekick” option […]
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 […]
Matt and Jeremy talk about their best and worst of 2024! ACTUAL PLAY GAMES OF 2024 ALIEN RPG Destroyer of Worlds ALIEN RPG Chariot of the Gods Outgunned: Indy Heat 1985 Ironsworn by Shawn Tomkins Outgunned Adventure RPG (Dune break) Dune 2d20 RPG (16 sessions) Blade Runner RPG – Case File 02 Fiery Angels […]
The UK government's proposal to reform copyright laws to accommodate artificial intelligence companies has sparked significant controversy. The suggested opt-out system allows AI firms to use copyrighted material for training unless creators explicitly request otherwise, raising concerns about undermining intellectual property rights. Critics, including creators and industry leaders, argue that this system unfairly burdens […]
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 […]
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 […]
Sony is reportedly in talks to acquire Kadokawa, a Japanese media conglomerate with interests in publishing, anime, gaming, and more. If successful, this deal could have far-reaching implications, particularly in the tabletop gaming and anime industries. Kadokawa owns FromSoftware, the acclaimed studio behind Dark Souls, Elden Ring, and Bloodborne, but its portfolio extends far […]
The “Household Bundle” offers English-language PDFs of the tabletop RPG “Household” by Riccardo Sirignano and Simone Formicola from Two Little Mice. Set in a wainscot fantasy world reminiscent of 19th-century Europe, players, as littlings (miniature folk), navigate political and social upheavals in a large abandoned house over five years following the First Household War. […]
“Stay Frosty REMASTERED” is a revamped old-school sci-fi tabletop RPG where players embody future marines facing off against cosmic threats, reminiscent of classic military sci-fi movies and games. Built upon Black Hack TTRPG rules, it offers strategic, dice-driven gameplay with four core attributes, eight unique classes, and mechanics for rank, supply management, and escalating […]
Trench Crusade is a new, dark sci-fi miniatures game that brings a unique spin to the wargaming genre, designed by former Diablo concept artist Mike Franchina and Mordheim co-creator Tuomas Pirinen. Inspired by World War I with an alternate history twist, the game reimagines the First Crusade, where Templar forces accidentally open a portal […]
“Lone Wolf – Adventures in Magnamund” is an upcoming tabletop role-playing game (TTRPG) set in the world of Magnamund, utilizing the Dragonbane system by Free League. The original Lone Wolf series, a popular line of gamebooks from the 1980s, allowed players to engage in role-playing elements with a combat system, skills, and equipment. This […]
Marvel and DC Comics have lost their joint trademark for the term “super hero” after decades of holding it. Initially, the trademark was obtained in collaboration with Ben Cooper, Inc., a costume maker who had licensed Marvel and DC characters in the 1960s. After a series of legal disputes involving companies like Mego Corporation, […]
Alien:The Roleplaying Game Second Edition reveals new content, including two detailed maps by Miska Fredman, depicting the USCSS Fidanza and the Jeremiah VI colony. These additions provide new visual tools for gameplay. The new edition features updated rules, new content, and expanded tools, all compatible with existing Alien RPG material. The “Rapture Protocol” scenario […]
Many fans of Dungeons and Dragons (DnD) who preordered the 2024 Player's Handbook recently had their orders canceled without a clear explanation. Customers reported receiving emails stating their payment didn't go through, even though some had been charged. The issue primarily affected those who paid via PayPal, particularly for the physical copies of the […]
We are creating characters and world-building in Ironsworn by Shawn Tomkins. This will be a Guided session zero and campaign run by Will. TRUTHS The OLD WORLD is the epicenter of Apocalypse. We have traveled to the fabled Ironlands to seek Hel's Iron Bell to send the forces of evil away. Most villages have […]
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 […]
Paul Sawyer, co-founder of Warlord Games, has been gravely ill for four months following a collapse at the Salute show in London earlier this year. While he remains in high spirits and surrounded by family, his health will prevent him from returning to work. John Stallard, Sawyer's business partner and friend, reminisced about their […]
The D&D Beyond digital toolset, a crucial platform for many Dungeons & Dragons players, is undergoing significant changes that may complicate its use before improvements are realized. Following Hasbro's acquisition of the toolset in April 2022, it has become a central hub for 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons, especially as more users transitioned to […]
Paizo, the publisher of Pathfinder, is hosting a giveaway of their Sketch Edition Player Core rulebook to fans who share stories of their characters' memorable in-game deaths. The Player Core rulebook, an essential guide for Pathfinder players, covers the game's basic rules, character creation, classes, and ancestries. Initially exclusive to partnered stores, the Sketch […]
We are playing John Carter of Mars: Adventures on the Dying World of Barsoom. I (Jeremy) will be running the campaign for Matt and Will. We are playing in the later Jeddak of Jeddaks era using the Phantoms of Mars campaign guide. This is the original unedited audio from our actual play sessions. 12 […]
We are playing John Carter of Mars: Adventures on the Dying World of Barsoom. I (Jeremy) will be running the campaign for Matt and Will. We are playing in the later Jeddak of Jeddaks era using the Phantoms of Mars campaign guide. This is the original unedited audio from our actual play sessions. 13 […]
Renegade Game Studios has announced the launch of the Welcome to Night Vale RPG, based on the popular podcast of the same name. The crowdfunding campaign will kick off on BackerKit on October 1, 2024. The game was first revealed at Gen Con 2023, offering fans the chance to immerse themselves in the strange […]
Brandon Sanderson's “Cosmere Roleplaying Game” has taken the tabletop community by surprise. Originally promoted as “The Stormlight Roleplaying Game,” it was revealed that this project would encompass not just the Stormlight Archive but also the Mistborn series, making it a comprehensive RPG for the entire Cosmere universe. Developed by Brotherwise Games and Dragonsteel Entertainment, […]
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 […]
Steve Jackson Games is set to release two new GURPS 4E Basic Sets on August 7, 2024. These sets aim to provide players with the essential tools to learn and adapt the game to various settings. The first set, Basic Set: Characters, focuses on character creation and combat basics, retailing for $59.95. The second, […]
Several board game publishers have been deceived by scammers impersonating a Facebook group with 80,000 members. Renegade Games Studios and CrowD Games were among the victims who sent review copies of their latest games to fraudsters pretending to be Thomas Covert, the real social media manager and marketing coordinator for Board Game Revolution (BGR). […]
On June 29, 2024, Roll20 detected unauthorized access to an administrative account, which was promptly blocked within an hour. An investigation revealed that personal information such as names, email addresses, last known IP addresses, and the last four digits of stored credit cards might have been exposed. However, full payment details and passwords were […]
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 […]
Missing one our players (Terry/Tars) on a previous week, we decided to record our thoughts on the current campaign and the Dune RPG itself. Matt and Will joined me for a long in-depth discussion of Dune: Adventures in the Imperium 2d20 RPG by Modiphius. We work our way through every chapter of the core […]
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