Hey everyone, Slick Dungeon here. There has been a lot of activity in the TTRPG space this year. We’ve had everything from the OGL debacle at the beginning of the year to the launch of Candela Obscura by the people over at Critical Role and the launch of the new Marvel TTRPG. But, if I had to choose the one single thing I am most excited about in the TTRPG space right now, it’s the upcoming RPG from MCDM productions. And just today they have launched their fundraiser for the game on Backerkit. I just wanted to share with you all why I think this one is worth backing.
Let me start by saying, I almost never recommend backing a game that isn’t already released. There are so many problems with it from both the consumer and game developer side. But with MCDM I am making an exception. Why? Because they have a proven track record of delivering extremely high quality products reliably. And they are honest about their communication when things go wrong. On top of that, Matt Colville who runs MCDM has made a significant point of treating his people ethically and paying them a living wage. If any independent creator in TTRPG’s deserves to be funded, it’s them.
One might assume I am being paid to say this but I am not. I gladly recommend everything MCDM makes in the TTRPG space with confidence, no need for anyone to pay me to say that. Okay, maybe I don’t recommend the t-shirts and stuff like that but if you want ’em buy ’em. I have purchased their books, the Arcadia magazines and watched a lot of the MCDM videos. All of them have been fantastic at making the game I love to play better.
So, when it was announced MCDM would be making their own game I was intrigued. Of course, I could end up wrong and this whole thing might not be a good game but the first four words they came up with for the game seem to have just about everything I want in a TTRPG. Tactical heroic cinematic fantasy ticks all my boxes for a D&D like game which is not D&D. I’ll stick to other games for horror but for fantasy, I could see myself switching to this one on a regular basis.
I could go off on a huge blog post here about why this game is a good idea but I’m going to keep it short and give you a link where you can see Matt Colville give the long pitch. For me, there are three reasons to back this game.
- It’s an alternate to D&D that is going through a vigorous testing process and I think it will only improve because of that.
- The creators of the game are being treated fairly and ethically, not just as profit machines who can be replaced by AI.
- It sounds as fun as hell and MCDM is going to have an open license for the game which will allow people to make stuff for it which will make it even better.
But, here’s the thing. We’ll only get the game if it gets backed. If you can’t afford it, I implore you not to spend any money on it because that helps no one. If, on the other hand, you are thinking about buying yet another supplemental D&D book, maybe back this game instead. You can get in for as low as $40 if you just want the game rules. You get more stuff the higher up you go on the tier levels so obviously spend what you think is right for you.
If this is backed, I’m certain we’ll be playing it by the end of the year in 2024. (albeit with playtest packets and not the full game)
If I have sold you on it, click this link to check it out and back it. If you still aren’t sold on it, maybe check out the video that goes with it and decide if it’s right for you.
Excitedly yours,
Slick Dungeon
