A Year in Review
So, this year has been rather busy! To the point that I haven’t done any updates to this blog (if anyone noticed.) So, here is a short(ish) list of what I have been up to:
Releases:
Medieval Mercenaries was released, which is a Zine version of my Blog Post. It’s essentially another appendix of Demesnes & Domination.
OSR Solo Role-playing Guide was released. This started as a personal guide for solo gaming and exploring solo-domain level play but then spiraled into a general guide for solo gaming with existing OSR games.
Heavy Metal: Mechs for Traveller. This is a passion project of mine that I am still updating and revising. This is also my second most successful release, which was very unexpected! Heavy Metal was originally being written for Mothership RPG, so I made the jump to Traveller while waiting for my boxset. Which, by the way, is truly one of the coolest games I’ve ever read and have played. There are so many DIY RPGs that have a simple game mechanic, but Traveller is one of the first. The only thing traveller has going against it is how wordy it can be when the mechanic is just a 2d6, roll 8+ to succeed (with various degrees of success or failure.)
Downlink just dropped, my attempt to make Traveller accessible to everyone who has the Mothership box set. This was driven by the perception that Mothership has been drifting away from its horror game roots and has been adding content you’d find in a traveller game. However, Mothership is still designed to be a horror game so some of this added content feels like it is at odds with the wealth of quality content designed to expand Mothership beyond its Alien inspiration. Regardless, my intention is to let people try Traveller mechanics using Mothership and the Downlink pamphlet
Personal Projects:
ArcaneCon 2024 was my first attempt at a gaming convention and it went extremely smoothly. It was a lot of work for one person, but was absolutely worth it. My goal was to bring together the different gaming communities and creators in the region and celebrate the hobby together! I am absolutely elated with how it went, and thanks to everyone who helped out and ran a game! Organizing this definitely put a damper on my free time to focus on other projects so now I will do my best to make up for lost time!
I did a number of cover illustrations for the adventure modules put out by YouCanBreatheNowGames
I also made some interior artwork for the upcoming Flames of Orion tabletop game written by Steve and published by his Under The Dice label. It's extremely cool, think Battletech but faster and more bleak (i.e. more fun!)
Speaking of, I did my first podcast with the Hive Scrum crew! Check it out!
Eon and I developed the concept of doing a public ‘west marches” campaign. Eon pulled in our friend Tom to help with the creative help and being a co-GM! The game is hosted at Tunic Coffee in Northampton, MA once a month who we are extremely thankful for! We had our first session in November and it was fantastic! It was a fantastic reminder that gaming can foster a community of wonderful people who share creative passions!
I did a few gaming conventions including Under The Dice Fest/NEMO 2024 in January, TotalCon 38 in February, and ShireCon in September! I also was a vendor at both Big Skeleton Comic shows (Spring and Fall) and Flywheel Zine Fest 2024.
Heading into 2025:
Cogs & Crabmen Playtest wrapped up in the Spring of 2024, with more over the Summer. The book is written, I just have to finish the layout!!!! I’m extremely proud of this book, and it was a lot of fun diving into researching the maritime side of late medieval history. I’ve really been dragging my feet on this one, but I swear it’s coming soon! I’m hoping to crush the layout by the end of the year.
Untitled Year Zero Engine Game: I learned that the YZE by Free League is open license, so I am currently writing a game using it. Stay Tuned!
More Traveller Content: Traveller is incredible, and I find myself constantly coming up with ideas for it. Currently I'm working on a small zine of companion rules for traveller. I'm also starting to work out domain rules using the traveller mechanics (i just can’t help myself!)
DaD part III: The third installment of the Demesnes & Domination/Cogs & Crabmen line of companion rules for OSR retro clones is slowly being developed. Here's a hint: The Medieval Underworld and medieval machines!
More Conventions: I’m currently scheduled at TotalCon 39 and Under The Dice Fest 2025, so if you're in New England in February and May, come on down and hang out! I’m planning on doing ArcaneCon again in the fall, with the goal to make it a two-day event this year! I’m hoping to attend a few more conventions this year, including a bigger one hopefully!
Happy Holidays everyone!
