THOSE DARK PLACES: THE GAMMA-SIGMA 12 REPORT

 

'A FUTURE HISTORY OF THOSE DARK PLACES' in development

One thing I'm excited about as I write this sourcebook and supplement for Those Dark Places (10k words and counting!) is that I finally get to share my ideas and rules for extended campaign play, so that your PCs can improve over time and longer stories can be told.

TDP is great for one-shots but the more I design adventures the more I want to try and create an extended campaign that players can experience. I hope the new campaign and experience rules help with that, without compromising the simplicity of the core rules.

Happy New Year!

So, let's talk about what I've got planned for Those Dark Places in 2022.

Now that my commissioned work is all but done I can spend more time focusing on TDP. There are three projects on the go right now:

- 'The Gamma-Sigma 12 Report' is finished and pretty much fully laid out. I'm missing a single piece of art but still deciding as to whether I need it. That will be out later this month.

- 'Darker Places' (working title) is the 15mm skirmish game and is still in design/playtest, though the basics are designed and just need to be put through the paces. I have no idea when this will be available; I don't want to release it myself and would rather it be a physical rulebook. I might be opening it up to public playtesting, but that's a work in progress.

- 'A Future History of Those Dark Places' is a sourcebook I have just begun work on that will detail a timeline leading up to the game's present time, details of the major corporations and prominent personalities, life on Earth, new rules for vehicles and starships, and a guide on character development and experience, so that you can improve your TDP PC over a campaign. TDP is designed with the one-shot in mind so this will help gaming groups enjoy a full campaign, or a 'tour'.

I've got lots of other ideas and plans but these are the three main projects I have. I won't be commiting to a timeline or a release schedule but I will be giving plenty of notice before release.

Have a great 2022!

Art by Nathan Anderson

15mm miniatures skirmish game for Those Dark Places

 I've done it. I've designed the 15mm miniatures skirmish game for Those Dark Places. You can use RPG characters at a push but the basics are the same.

I didn't realise I'd already designed so much of it. I just need to playtest it to hell and then write it up properly.

It won't be released any time soon - there's other stuff for me to finish - but that's another project that's on its way!

The Gamma-Sigma 12 Report

Coming in early 2022...

“Is anyone out there? This is Resource Station Gamma-Sigma 12, we are under attack from a life form…  

(static)

Our escape ships have launched only half-filled – cowards! - and there are no vessels left here to get us off the station – there are about twenty of us here and we’re scattered all over, requesting… 

(static, crashing sounds, an inhuman screech)

Ben! Ben, they’re through! Get the gun! Patricia, take this and get ready! They’re through!

(screech)

Just shoot! Fire! Fire!

(gunshots, screeching, a cry of pain)

Dan, no! Keep firing! Keep…

(static, transmission ends)”

'Adventure Presents' from Rebellion Unplugged

I've been reading the rules for 'Adventure Presents', a new RPG game from Rebellion Unplugged. I'm really enjoying it and the rules, though light, has some real meat so it can be picked up and played with no fuss, as well as having depth to the system.

'Adventure Presents is an anthology series of stand-alone RPGs from some of the most exciting designers and artists in the industry. Each issue of the magazine offers a complete story, and contains everything you need to get playing in a matter of minutes – pull-out character sheets, maps, a Game Master’s reference booklet, and more.'

The basic rules are free on the RU website.

I'm also going to be ordering the Tartarus Gate issue. Sci-fi horror? Well, of course.

Runescape

Runescape is a fun game - its quick and easy to get into and you can be downloaded and ready to go in no time. I find it great for casual gaming but there's plenty of scope for serious MMOers too, with loads of content to keep you going for an age.

Its listed as free but is it play to win? I don't think so. At least, my character got quite far and I didn't feel limited and I'm having a great time with my new character. I'm sure there's benefits to paying a subscription, and to be honest I'm really tempted. I want to delve a little more into the world to see if I can create a tabletop roleplaying campaign world out of it!

I'd love to see the setting of Fighting Fantasy adapted to an MMO like this. As much as I'd love a FF game to be like 'Baldur's Gate Dark Alliance', a game I spent countless hours playing on the PS2, I'd love to see Allansia and the rest of Titan given the MMO treatment, and be able to travel the world and partake in dungeons and adventures based on the books. I think the popularity of the FF franchise would suit a game like Runescape, as well as give the exisitng Runescape fans - and new gamers - a whole new world to explore.

'Tis a dream I have.

The One Ring from Free League Publishing

I'm reading the new 'The One Ring' from Free League Publishing and enjoying it immensley; the artwork and design, as ever, is excellent and it really helps with immersion. I'm a huge fan of atmosphere and theme in RPG books as I feel it helps with getting emotionally involved with the game, and this has flavour in spades.

I'm making my way throught the starter set, core rules and the Rivendell supplement so I'll report back with more details soon, but rest assured that this is another instance of Free League knocking it out of the Park.

MiniSix from Antipaladin Games

 Before you go to a popular game engine for your next campaign and you spend an age tearing the system up to make it work for what you have in mind, can I just point out that there is a system with which you don't have to do that to a huge extent.

The MiniSix system is a cut-down version of the D6 system that covers all genres, is modular so that you can make it as light or crunchy as you want, is easy to hack and really easy to learn. Its basically the WEG Star Wars D6 game (I've always said that the first edition rulebook worked well as a generic system) trimmed right down for general play.

The D6 System is well worth your time and a lot of fun. Before you hack into your usual system, give this a look.

My Fighting Fantasy adventure translated into French

 My first Advanced Fighting Fantasy scenario 'The Floating Dungeon of Varrak Aslur' has been translated into French and is being included in a book of 10 scenarios with some amazing writers I admire and look up to. It'll be available from Scriptarium.

Check out the awesome cover!