The management of Twitter/X has made it clear they wish to not only platform transphobes, fascists, authoritarians, bigots, and abusers -- they are going to lend them active financial support. We refuse to promote our games alongside unbridled hate. Find us elsewhere👇
While developing Fate of Cthulhu, we were obligated to reflect on the problematic roots of the source material.
We tackle that on page 6.
The mythos is definitely worth exploring - it's also worth re-examining.
A reminder that in Indiana and other states where conservatives hold power, the games you play could literally put a librarian in jail.
Fascism spreads when you stay silent. Demand better from your representatives or kick them to the curb.
20/20 The Stop Book Banning sign from
@EvilHatOfficial
displayed atop Thirsty Sword Lesbians, Advanced Lovers and Lesbians, Apocalypse Keys and Court of Blades in
#Booth449
at
#GenCon2023
You can download your own copy at
Since the predictable edgelords and apologists have now shown up, a quick reminder:
If you don't like the politics included in our games, don't buy them.
We literally do not want your money.
We are committed to diverse and inclusive gaming.
We're not perfect, but we're trying.
There's no such thing as an "apolitical" game. This page from Thirsty Sword Lesbians sums up our stance quite nicely.
Reminder: if you don't like our politics, don't buy our games. We literally don't want (nor need) your money.
The "get woke, go broke" mantra is pure bullshit.
If you have enjoyed any RPG that's Powered By The Apocalypse - that includes Monster of the Week, Thirsty Sword Lesbians, and many, many other games - consider joining us in making a donation to help out the Baker family.
Since the mid-2010s, none of our commercial releases have invoked the OGL. And those few prior releases weren't d20 based.
There is no need to use the OGL when deriving Fate-based content. The Fate SRD is also made available via CC-BY licensing, which requires no payment. Period.
Today the creators of Kids on Brooms are donating 100% of their profits to charities supporting trans people.
If you want to play a wizard school game, play this one. It's great.
Support trans people. Support creators who know
#TransRightsAreHumanRights
Re: RPG Safety Tools. Some suggest "adults just talk it out at the table." This is demeaning & wrong. No adult is obligated to talk through their trauma - even with their close friends.
"Talking it out" only works until it doesn't, and when it does fail it can go really badly.
There are no sanity rules in Fate of Cthulhu. We don't require anyone to play or perform mental illness.
(If you choose to, we have guidance on how to do it respectfully.)
Instead your PC gains Corruption, a potent, alluring slice of the Elder Gods' power.
Our politics have always been explicit in our games, this election demands that we stand up - and ask you to show up - for them. A thread:
1/4: We've lost retailers, revenue, and production capability. Every employee and customer has been impacted.
It didn't have to be this way.
We had plans to launch the Agon 2E Kickstarter with
@john_harper
next week.
In light of some disturbing allegations of union-busting by
@kickstarter
management, we are postponing the launch to reassess how KS aligns with our company values:
In light of recent developments, we are terminating our business relationship with Broken Token and given notice that they are to stop selling their products designed for the Dresden Files Coop Card Game.
Ten days ago, in light of troubling allegations of union-busting, we put our crowdfunding on hold to re-examine our relationship with
@kickstarter
After internal deliberation and due diligence we have decided to go forward, with one important caveat.
In Fate of Cthulhu, you don't play a hapless investigator spiraling inevitably toward doom.
You're a kick-ass resistance fighter from the future, sent back in time to stave off the Elder Gods' Apocalypse.
What will you sacrifice to save the planet?
Yesterday we released the Fate Accessibility Toolkit, a guide to bringing characters with disabilities into your game and supporting players with disabilities at your table.
Here's a quick look at what's inside, and you can get the PDF here:
If you enjoy our games, note that they are:
Created by trans people, illustrated by trans artists, and produced by the parents and allies of trans people.
Please join us in supporting the Transgender Education Network of Texas
Also: Call. Your. Reps.
Blades in the Dark has gotten some buzz over the last week - so much so that we just added a batch of fresh inventory.
So check out this critically acclaimed RPG, and remember: when you buy on our site you instantly get the PDF.
We'd also like to point out that the text of award-winning Thirsty Sword Lesbians is offered CC BY SA 4.0 license:
Blades In The Dark is also offered under a CC-BY license
Go hack yourself some great new game material.
4/4: Reform must be intersectional.
This election is a beginning, not an end. The work is not done until justice and liberation arrives for everyone.
Get out and vote.
PS-If you're offended by our politics, don't buy our games.
Our values are more important than your money.
Absolutely floored that Thirsty Sword Lesbians won the Gold ENnie for Best Game and Product of the Year!
Congrats to
@GaySpaceshipGms
and all the writers, artists, and editors, who worked so hard to bring this game celebrating the queer experience to our tables.
Thank you fans!!!
20+ years after the OGL there are now, quite simply, better open license options available. TSL, Fate, and Blades In The Dark all use CC-BY to share their core mechanics.
It's a win for us when new designers make their own games based on the games we publish.
That's the true lesson here: if you want a commons, you're not alone. You've got company, like Kit Walsh herself, who happens to be a brilliant game-designer who won a
#NebulaAward
for her game "Thirsty Sword Lesbians":
53/
A successful horror game doesn't just shock.
It defines boundaries, safety methods, and ensures explicit, enthusiastic consent.
In the Fate Horror Toolkit we not only dissect the different genres of horror, we also give you the tools so *everyone* has fun.
"The biggest gift I can give to players is the ability to see yourself in the universe you play in."-
@snarkbat
The Fate Accessibility Toolkit is here to bring characters with disabilities into your game and support players with disabilities at your table.
Transcend your day-to-day life and embrace your true self.
Girl By Moonlight from
@CommutingCrow
An RPG of magical girls caught up in tragic struggles and defiant triumphs.
Coming next month to BackerKit.
Proud to offer this system-agnostic set of RPG Safety Tools for
@roll20app
.
Includes decks and macros for the X-Card, Script Change, a game Palette page with lines and veils and a handout explaining how to use them.
More importantly: it's absolutely free.
Escape the oppressive grind of your daily life, transcend into your true self, and defy the world!
Magical Girls clasp their struggles tight in Girl By Moonlight from
@CommutingCrow
Now live on Backerkit!
Since this site continues to platform and prioritize hateful, transphobic trash: You can receive all our major announcements in our monthly email newsletter. Sign up on our website and get 20% off your next purchase.
3/4: The rot runs deep.
This election is not about one man. In order to confront the pervasive issues in our society, we must categorically reject the immoral politicians who enable him. To truly achieve sweeping small-d democratic reform we need to VOTE THEM OUT.
If you're just finding this post and wondering what the vitriol is all about, mostly it's a brigade of 46-follower accounts run by people who are mad we called out HP Lovecraft for the racist and anti-semite he was.
If that's where you get your gaming advice, this ain't for you.
COVER REVEAL
Defy the burden of everyday life and claim the power of your true self in Girl By Moonlight!
@CommutingCrow
brings you this transcendent RPG of magical girls and tragic struggles.
Cover art by
@CowboyPunkColt
Launching May 23rd on BackerKit:
Very pleased to share the news that designer
@john_harper
has signed a deal with
@warpfilms
to develop a television adaptation of the critically-acclaimed RPG Blades in the Dark:
It's Trans Day of Visibility.
Pick up the TTRPG Bundle for Trans Rights In Florida and get over 500 games from 250 creators - including Nebula award winner Thirsty Sword Lesbians!
Donations start at just $5
@JohnMcD10284875
That sort of research is not feasible but here are some related, hard numbers:
Each day this week we have tweeted about Fate of Cthulhu.
This Content & Consent tweet had 6x more RTs, 3x more impressions, and 10x the engagement of any of the other tweets.
The market is there.
Take your game in a new direction next year.
Whether that's down the long, bloody roads of Aldermark, the haunted streets of Doskvol, or the cold void of the Procyon Sector, the critically-acclaimed Forged In The Dark engine will open up a new frontier for you and your players.
Proud to announce we're publishing Stewpot: Tales from a Fantasy Tavern by
@takuma_okada_
You and your fellow adventurers finally retire to a simpler life, running your own tavern. What could go wrong?
More details here, plus a link to join the playtest:
Respectfully bring PCs with disabilities into your game and support players with disabilities at your table with the Fate Accessibility Toolkit.
Written by a team from disabled communities to ensure that this book speaks to you from their real, lived experiences.
Coming Oct. 5th.
Hey friends, we know the holidays can be tough on your pocketbook. If you need a gift for yourself or a friend, Fate and over 60 Fate worlds are Pay What You Want.
And that means if you're situation where you can only afford zero dollars, pay zero dollars.
Draw your blade and move in close... Thirsty Sword Lesbians is now LIVE on Kickstarter!
Pledge now, and get immediate access to the current, rules-complete version of the game!
It's time to get smitten:
We are proud to support the TTRPG Trans Rights for Texas bundle. Pay as little as $5 for nearly 500 games, including Thirsty Sword Lesbians and AGON.
Proceeds benefit
@oltt_org
and
@TransTexas
Please donate more than the minimum if you are able:
Time are tough, we understand that.
Our game engine, plus a ton of settings and adventures in a wide array of genres, are Pay What You Want.
If circumstances find you with zero dollars to spare for games, please: pay zero dollars.
It's a simple addition which, frankly, we should've made a while back but the Fate, Fate Accelerated, and Fate Condensed character sheets now have a box for your PC's pronouns.
Also gave us an opportunity to brush up the form-fillable versions.
Download:
You may have already noticed her name popping up in our books and on our crowdfunding pages but here's the official announcement: We are very proud to announce that
@Crislv
has joined us as Lead Graphic Designer!
Coming this year...
From
@strasa
&
@worldnamer
the same team that brought you Scum & Villainy
Based on critically-acclaimed Blades In The Dark by
@john_harper
It's Band of Blades.
The bonds of blood and battle are forged in the dark.
Just a reminder: We like to encourage our fans to shop local.
If you buy the hardcopy of one of our games new at your FLGS, we'll send you the electronic version for free.
It's our PDF guarantee.
Larger-than-life mysteries require larger-than-life heroes.
The world needs you. Society scorns you.
Find the Keys and reveal your heart or become the Doom That Consumes All.
Apocalypse Keys by
@temporalhiccup
Launching 9/13! Sign up here to get notified:
This recent VICE article about content & consent warnings includes more insight into how we have attempted to handle the problematic aspects of Mythos roots and material while at the same time creating a game that's welcoming and inclusive.
Now LIVE on Kickstarter:
Advanced Lovers & Lesbians
A massive 272-page expansion in gorgeous hardcover for Thirsty Sword Lesbians.
Fresh new ways to explore the themes of found family and deep emotional drama in this innovative RPG powered by queer love!
We believe in a thriving indie scene and itch has become a great venue for new TTRPG talent.
Today, itch is giving 100% of all sales directly to creators.
If you're a designer yourself or you've found a TTRPG gem on itch, give a shoutout & link in the replies and share the love!
We know the holidays can be tough. This year they are especially hard for many of us.
If you're looking for a last-minute gift, we have over 50 titles that are Pay What You Want.
If you're in the situation where your needs are dire, please: pay nothing.
The Fate Horror Toolkit examines what makes a horror game effective and enjoyable - knowing that 'enjoyable' varies from table to table.
It covers the main genres of horror, safety tools & consent, and more.
Full of advice for any horror game, Fate or not.
You've asked for it, it's happening:
Fate Condensed, our streamlined Fate rules reference is coming out in print November 2nd!
Just $8 a copy, grab one for yourself and one for every player at your table.
Ask your FLGS to preorder it today: Product EHP0055
Ready to cross blades, trade zingers, and do more than just a little bit of flirting?
Thirsty Sword Lesbians by
@GaySpaceshipGms
launches next week!
Sign up for our newsletter to get notified:
One of our core values is transparency. The tabletop gaming industry is a roller-coaster ride, and one that's often opaque to fans and customers. We strive to shed some light on what it takes to run this business, and in that vein, we share this news.
The entire system stripped down to 60 pages.
Completely compatible with everything we've published.
And Pay What You Want.
Pick up Fate Condensed in PDF
@DriveThruRPG
or browse the rules for free at the Fate SRD
Fate of Cthulhu. An action-packed RPG of time travelers trying to prevent a total apocalypse at the hands, errrrr tentacles of the Elder Gods.
Plus we took out the underlying racism and mental health stigma of the source material, so you don't have to.
Available now at your FLGS.
And if you think Fate of Cthulhu doesn't sound like "traditional Lovecraftian horror" you're right. That territory is well-trodden and amply covered by other games.
The advantage of a shared universe is: you can play in your corner of the sandbox and we can play in ours.
Explore the heartbreak of denying who you really are, fight for what you believe in, and embrace the transcendent power of relationships and community with Girl By Moonlight by
@CommutingCrow
Sign up here to get notified when the game launches next month:
Coming next week to
@roll20app
: no matter what game system you play, we're helping make sure everyone in your session knows that there's pauses, rewinds, and fast-forwards available if the game goes astray.
Relevant to recent events, fuck fascists and anyone who platforms them can also fuck right off. This account will be minimally monitored starting immediately. We had a great run here but it's now time to log the fuck off.
Find us elsewhere 👇
Hi, recently you may have found this site to be unusable.
Here are some other ways you can get the latest news and deals from us.
Reminder, get 20% off your entire purchase when you head to our website and sign up for our mailing list. (enable popups)
The Fate of Chthulhu kickstarter launches TOMORROW!
Let's briefly talk about what's different, what you can expect, and what's exciting about our particular take on the Mythos.
It's not your traditional "read magic books, lose sanity" type of premise.
/1
Magical Girls as a lens for self-discovery and queer identity.
An innovative new take on the mechanics beneath Blades In The Dark.
Girl By Moonlight, from
@CommutingCrow
Launching ONE WEEK FROM TODAY on BackerKit.
A shoutout thread to some of the people of color who’ve helped create our games + links to follow/support their work.
Give them your dollars and follows.
It’s not a comprehensive list. Even if it was it would still be too short.
We can do better.
We will do better.
[thread]
The holiday grind can get you down, especially if you're already struggling for money.
We have over 50 games that are Pay What You Want
@DriveThruRPG
. If you're enduring financial hardship, please: feel free to pick some gifts and set the price to zero.
With influences ranging from Sailor Moon and Steven Universe to Vision of Escaflowne and Puella Magi Madoka Magica,
@CommutingCrow
spans styles and genres with custom Series Playsets.
Girl By Moonlight. Launching next month on BackerKit. Sign up here:
Blades In The Dark.
Heists, chases, occult mysteries, dangerous bargains, bloody skirmishes, and riches abound on the haunted streets of Doskvol.
Gather your crew.
The next score is right around the corner...
It's the final day for the TTRPG Bundle for Trans Rights Florida! Get over 500 games by donating as little as 5 bucks.
Includes Wanderhome, Visigoths vs Mall Goths, Gubat Banwa, Thirsty Sword Lesbians and more!
Less than 18 hours left, get in on it now:
Coming soon: A massive expansion for Monster of the Week!
Open the Codex of Worlds and explore new Team moves that unify your party of Hunters. Keepers, new settings await!
Coming exclusively to BackerKit Feb 14th.
Sign up here to get notified on launch:
Friends, we officially have zero copies of Dresden Files: Your Story left in our warehouse.
You may still find one out in the wild, but after 9 years and 3 months it's now out of print.
We will continue to offer it in PDF, but the hardcopy is retiring.
Hasta la fuego...
Regarding
@kickstarter
We firmly disagree that unions are "inherently adversarial."
We stand by our statement from last week:
We support labor organizers' efforts. A call to boycott is theirs alone to make.
We trust their judgment to navigate the process.
It's the digital launch of Thirsty Sword Lesbians!
Get the PDF (and pre-order the print copy!) on BackerKit:
Get the extensive
@roll20app
module complete with 200+ tokens and bevy of resources and be playing online tonight!
We believe in a thriving indie scene and itch has become a great venue for new TTRPG talent.
Today, itch is giving 100% of all sales directly to creators.
If you're a designer yourself or you've found a TTRPG gem on itch, give a shoutout & link in the replies and share the love!
Thirsty Sword Lesbians.
If you've ever found yourself yelling "MAKE IT GAY YOU COWARDS!" this is the game for you.
Available now, wherever you get your TTRPGs.
Monster of the Week sold out of its most recent print run and that means we're giving this bestselling game a facelift!
Preorder the new HARDCOVER edition of Monster of the Week featuring new cover art and 24 pages of material from Tome of Mysteries now:
It would be irresponsible of us to take on this project and NOT deal directly with the problematic aspects.
Similar reason we don't employ a sanity mechanic. In Fate of Cthulhu your PCs mental health is not a hindrance or numeric dial to turn.
We build drama around other themes.
Here, in two tweets, is our response about potential changes in the OGL.
Even shorter version:
1) Does not functionally affect us, and
2) This is why we use CC-BY
Since the mid-2010s, none of our commercial releases have invoked the OGL. And those few prior releases weren't d20 based.
There is no need to use the OGL when deriving Fate-based content. The Fate SRD is also made available via CC-BY licensing, which requires no payment. Period.
Start stalking the grimy streets of Doskvol quickly & easily with these official Blades in the Dark creation decks!
Featuring at-a-glance summaries of all relevant character, crew, and faction options plus page references.
Available in POD this fall.
We are still looking for disabled artists to complete the illustration work needed for the Fate Accessibility Toolkit. Ability to illustrate sign language a BIG plus. If you or someone you know fits the bill, have them contact
@MechanteAnemone
ASAP.
Humbled to share that the Fate Accessibility Toolkit has been nominated for a Nebula Award in the category of Game Writing. Big congrats to
@snarkbat
and the rest of the team.