“City of Skull” offers a vivid exploration of a fantasy world reeling from a cataclysmic war. It features a city dominated by an intricate guild system and haunted by the lore of a slumbering deity. The campaign setting aims to expand the traditional gameplay of Mazes by incorporating new rules for hex-crawling and enhancing the social and narrative aspects of gaming. These enhancements are designed to foster deeper character development and more immersive campaign stories.

In conjunction with the primary campaign setting, 9th Level Games is also launching “Beyond the City of Skull,” an adventure path that takes players beyond the city into a desert shrouded in perpetual eclipse, introducing new challenges and environments.

The crowdfunding campaign provides backers with several rewards, including the core campaign setting, an additional adventure path book, a solo adventure book, a deluxe Maze Controller Screen with a dial, a custom coin set, a Roll20 VTT module for digital play, and an original soundtrack themed around “City of Skull.”

First launched in 2019 as part of Zinequest, Mazes Fantasy Roleplaying is recognized for its elegantly simple rules that allow players to dive directly into the action.

As part of the acquisition, game designer Alessio Cavatore will join Mantic Games. Cavatore has previously collaborated with both companies on several projects, and his expertise in game design is expected to contribute significantly to future product developments.

The acquisition follows a history of cooperative ventures between Mantic Games and Cavatore, including titles like Kings of War, Warpath, Loka, Umbrella Academy, Worms, and the forthcoming Epic Warpath. This new arrangement promises to foster further innovation and the development of high-quality gaming experiences.

To celebrate this significant development, Mantic Games has also announced their first new project together—a special collection marking the 40th Anniversary of Jim Henson’s Labyrinth. This collection is scheduled for launch on Gamefound this summer and will feature new miniatures and game content that pay tribute to the movie’s rich storytelling and magical world.

Fans of Mantic Games and River Horse are encouraged to follow the campaign page for updates on this project and more news from the “Summer of Sci-Fi” series.

Until Proven Guilty: A Narrative Legal Game

Developed by Enrico Procacci with artwork by Andrea Guerrieri and Idea Xu, “Until Proven Guilty” is priced at $16.99 and supports 1-6 players ages 10 and up. The game, with a playing time of approximately 90 minutes, revolves around a rookie lawyer involved in challenging criminal trials. Players are tasked with examining charges and presenting evidence to sway a jury. “Until Proven Guilty” will be previewed at GenCon 2024 ahead of its release.

BANG! Dice Explosion: A Deluxe Compilation

“BANG! Dice Explosion” bundles the original “BANG! The Dice Game” with its expansions “Old Saloon” and “Undead or Alive,” along with 10 new game modules and additional characters. This game, designed by Michael Palm and Lukas Zach with art by Riccardo Pieruccini, retails for $44.99. It caters to 3-8 players and offers a brief playing duration of 15 minutes. The comprehensive set promises dynamic and memorable gameplay experiences and is also scheduled for a preview at GenCon 2024.

Lost In Adventure – The Labyrinth: An Exploratory Mythical Game

“Lost In Adventure – The Labyrinth,” created by Marco Pranzo with artwork by Guillaume Tavernier, is also priced at $16.99 and accommodates 1-6 players. This game invites players to navigate a card-based labyrinth, where each decision impacts the unfolding narrative, potentially leading to various endings. With a gameplay duration of 90 minutes, the game combines strategic planning with storytelling, drawing inspiration from the legend of the Minotaur.

These releases highlight DV Games’ commitment to diversifying its portfolio and enhancing the board game market with innovative and engaging products. DV Games, known as dV Giochi in Italy, continues to collaborate with a broad network of international partners, distributing games globally under the DV Games brand. The company aims to maintain its presence in both the Italian and international markets following its acquisition of Ghenos Games, expanding its catalog to over 300 titles since its establishment in 2001.

“Mutant Year Zero: Zone Wars” aims to offer a fast-paced gameplay experience, emphasizing tactical battles intertwined with a narrative that evolves with each session. Players lead groups of mutants, animals, and robots in a quest to transform a Rot-infested wasteland into a new land of opportunity. They face challenges including scavenging for artifacts and confronting new, formidable enemies.

The core set of the game includes ten 32 mm miniatures split between two factions: the Ark Mutants and the Genlab Tribe. The Ark Mutants are human mutants on a quest to find their origins, while the Genlab Tribe comprises intelligent animal mutants who have recently gained freedom. The set also features 83 playing cards, 105 tokens, 10 custom dice, a 36″ x 36″ game mat, three full sheets of cardboard terrain, a measuring ruler, and a rulebook that includes rules for character generation, solo play, and campaign scenarios.

Additionally, Free League Publishing has released the “Robots & Psionics” expansion alongside the core game. This expansion introduces ten new miniatures—five each from the Mechatron Hive, a group of newly self-aware robots, and the Nova Cult, a secretive group of human mutants with psionic powers. The expansion adds new playing cards, tokens, dice, and terrain, along with a scenario booklet that outlines five new gameplay scenarios.

Both the core game and its expansion come with miniatures that are pre-assembled and pre-painted, designed to be used directly out of the box, facilitating immediate gameplay.

“Mutant Year Zero: Zone Wars” is compatible with the Mutant: Year Zero roleplaying game, allowing players to incorporate characters and scenarios from the tabletop RPG into the skirmish game.

The game and its expansion are now available for purchase through the Free League webshop and will soon be available at global retailers.

The expansion is anchored by the “Voidrunner’s Codex,” a hardcover volume that introduces new player options, equipment, and psionics. It is accompanied by the “Star Captain’s Manual,” which details the intricacies of starship operations, space travel, and combat, including a comprehensive guide on building custom starships.

Players start their space journey with “Escape from Death Planet,” an adventure set on the perilous jungle world of Ninemoon, challenging them to escape before its destruction. The boxed set enhances gameplay with over 200 tokens, 20 poster maps, and a magnetic narrator’s screen, all packaged in a sleek slipcase designed to facilitate both ground and starship battle scenarios.

Upon the campaign’s conclusion, digital rewards will be distributed immediately, with plans to order the physical sets promptly to minimize delivery times. This approach aims to satisfy backers’ eagerness to start their space-themed adventures as soon as possible.

“Voidrunner’s Codex” offers extensive customization through new heritages, cultures, and classes, including the Psion and Psyknight, which feature a variety of subclasses that provide diverse gameplay strategies. The lore surrounding these elements is rich, setting the stage for a broad range of story-driven encounters and explorations.

The campaign has successfully surpassed its initial funding goal of $6,404, currently standing at $35,860 with 322 backers. The Kickstarter will continue to accept pledges until July 5, giving potential backers plenty of time to contribute and participate in the launch of this ambitious expansion.

Anarchy at the Arena introduces several new gameplay features. Dead Wizard tokens ensure that no player is eliminated, allowing everyone to stay in the game even after suffering setbacks. Applause tokens and Rally cards add new strategic elements, enabling players to rally the crowd and unleash powerful spell effects. Champion cards bring in old-time Wizard Champions, providing opportunities for creating impressive spell combinations and dealing significant damage.

This game is designed to be both a standalone experience and compatible with previous games in the Epic Spell Wars series. It includes over 150 new cards, eight oversized Wizards, and a signature standee. Each card and character has been crafted to enhance the overall gameplay, ensuring that every session is filled with excitement and strategic depth.

Preorders are now open for Epic Spell Wars: Anarchy at the Arena, with the game officially releasing in August.

Adam Bradford is best known for founding D&D Beyond, the digital toolset that redefined how players engage with Dungeons & Dragons. Under his leadership, D&D Beyond grew exponentially, ultimately catching the eye of Hasbro, which acquired the platform. After his success with D&D Beyond, Bradford took on a pivotal role at Demiplane, where he spearheaded the development of a comprehensive digital tools platform for various tabletop games, further establishing his reputation as a forward-thinker in the industry.

In his new role at SmiteWorks, Bradford will leverage his extensive expertise to elevate Fantasy Grounds’ market presence, enhance user engagement, and improve the overall user experience. His responsibilities will span product development, business growth, marketing, community engagement, and user acquisition. Bradford’s innovative mindset and proven success make him an ideal fit for SmiteWorks, a company dedicated to advancing the digital tabletop gaming experience.

“We are thrilled to welcome Adam Bradford to the SmiteWorks team,” said Doug Davison, President of SmiteWorks USA, LLC. “Adam’s expertise and vision will be invaluable as we work to grow Fantasy Grounds and provide our users with the best possible tabletop gaming experience. We have a lot of great things in the works for Fantasy Grounds and we believe Adam is the perfect addition to help us achieve our goals.”

Expressing his enthusiasm for his new role, Adam Bradford said, “I am incredibly excited to be joining SmiteWorks and to have the opportunity to contribute to the ongoing success of Fantasy Grounds. The virtual tabletop space is evolving rapidly to make playing these games we love more convenient than ever, and I look forward to working with the outstanding team at SmiteWorks to continue driving innovation and growth in the tabletop roleplaying space.”

For the past two decades, the Iron Kingdoms titles, especially Warmachine, have been popular among players and hobbyists for their rich lore and immersive gameplay. Moving forward, Steamforged and Privateer Press will work together on the design and development of these lines.

Steamforged is positioned to further develop Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms. Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Steamforged has experienced continuous growth, with trading revenue increasing by 50% each year for the past three years.

“This project is a perfect, logical fit for us. Almost every aspect of Steamforged’s history can be traced back to Warmachine in some way or another,” said Rich Loxam, CEO and Founder of Steamforged. “Both Mat Hart and I are Warmachine players, and Warmachine was actually a key inspiration for us creating Guild Ball. We are excited to bring our experience and infrastructure to take Warmachine into its next era.”

Mat Hart, CCO and Founder of Steamforged, added: “There’s a real wealth of creative talent and passion for tabletop gaming in our team. We all share a special love for Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms. Our expertise in creating beloved games makes us well-suited to collaborate with Privateer Press in shaping the future of this important franchise. We look forward to what’s to come for the players in this world.”

Matt Wilson, CCO and Founder of Privateer Press, stated: “We couldn’t have asked for better custodians than Steamforged. Their track record, history with the games, and genuine excitement about the future make them the perfect fit to lead Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms into the future. We look forward to working with Steamforged in the years to come.”

As the games transition to their new home under the Steamforged banner, there will be a period of adjustment as the range moves from the Privateer Press website to Steamforged’s platform. For the latest updates, enthusiasts are encouraged to sign up for the Steamforged newsletter, join their Discord, and follow them on social media.

In this new chapter, Steamforged and Privateer Press are committed to making the gaming experience better than ever, with joint efforts in design and development. Steamforged’s 10-year track record of creating, developing, and delivering large-scale games is set to support Warmachine’s growth.

For those interested in staying informed, the Steamforged community channels, including a dedicated Iron Kingdoms section on Discord, will provide the latest news and updates. Additionally, Steamforged will manage the Warmachine Facebook group, ensuring continuous updates for the community.

As orders transition to the Steamforged website, the focus will initially be on Warmachine and the Iron Kingdoms RPG lines, with more information on Formula P3 Paint, Warcaster, Riot Quest, and other titles to follow. Existing orders placed with Privateer Press will be honored and dispatched as promised.

Steamforged’s plans for Guild Ball and Godtear remain unchanged, with ongoing support and updates for these titles. Warmachine joining the Steamforged family is expected to strengthen the miniature gaming community.

Scheduled Gen Con events for Warmachine and Warcaster will continue as planned. Additionally, the Iron Kingdoms RPG Kickstarter for Strangelight Workshop is set to launch at the end of the month.

The box set contains three books totaling 120 pages, pre-generated characters from the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners universe, themed dice, maps, standees, and more. The set is designed to integrate players directly into the storyline aftermath of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners finale.

Available for pre-order are the physical box set, a digital version accessible via DriveThruRPG, and a Roll20 module, all aimed at enhancing the tabletop experience of the Cyberpunk universe.

Features of the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Mission Kit

The kit includes new gameplay elements such as quickhacks and a variety of cyberware options like Gorilla Arms and Mantis Blades. It also features “The Jacket,” a mission that occurs after the Cyberpunk: Edgerunners series, offering multiple potential outcomes based on player decisions.

Additional content includes detailed backgrounds for characters such as David Martinez, Lucy, and Rebecca, enriching the game’s lore. The kit also provides a timeline that connects the “Red Decades” to the 2070s era, offering a comprehensive overview of the setting’s historical context.

Compatibility and Upcoming Releases

The Edgerunners Mission Kit is compatible with the Cyberpunk RED ruleset, functioning as a supplement to the existing game rather than a new version of the rules. This ensures that the kit can be integrated into both new and ongoing games.

R. Talsorian Games is also preparing for a busy release schedule with titles like “Shadow Scar” by Cody Pondsmith and “Fossilized Violence” by James Hutt on the horizon. Another upcoming release, “Tales of the Red: Forlorn Hope,” will feature six new gigs in a campaign centered around the iconic Forlorn Hope bar.

Ariadna Faction Receives Tactical Reinforcements

Two new packs will bolster the Ariadna faction. The “Reinforcements: Ariadna Pack Alpha” comprises six miniatures, including characters like the Loup-Garou with a Viral Rifle and a Moblot with Spitfire AP. This pack aims to provide strategic options for players facing challenging scenarios.

The “Reinforcements: Ariadna Pack Beta” features three miniatures, such as the Wardriver Hacker and the Chasseur with Rifle. These figures are intended for specialized operations, expanding the tactical playbook for Ariadna commanders.

New Daemonist Figures for the Nomads Faction

The “Daemonist Observant” release adds two new miniatures to the Nomads faction, enriching the game’s narrative with themes of conflict against the AI entity, ALEPH. The set includes an Observant Daemonist armed with a Vulkan Shotgun and his Guardian, offering new tactical possibilities for players.

ALEPH Enhances Its Forces

ALEPH’s offerings include the “Atalanta, Agêma’s NCO & Spotbot” set, which features a sniper and her assistant robot, enhancing long-range combat capabilities. This set is highlighted as a strategic asset for players requiring precision.

The “ALEPH Steel Phalanx Sectorial Pack” introduces 11 new miniatures, effectively serving as an entry point for newcomers or an expansion for existing players. This set represents the robust and aggressive nature of ALEPH’s Steel Phalanx, aiming to strengthen player armies with diverse unit options.

Additional Reinforcements for Varied Combat Scenarios

The game also introduces the “Warcors, War Correspondents” pack. This unique set features journalists equipped to navigate the battlefield, capturing critical moments while supporting their forces with tactical capabilities like the Flash Pulse. This addition provides an interesting dynamic to any army within the Human Sphere.

Furthermore, the “Reinf. Nightshades, Clandestine Action Unit” expands the O-12 faction’s capabilities. The pack includes a Nightshade miniature with a Boarding Shotgun, depicted as a shadowy figure who can play the role of a hero or a mysterious vigilante. This unit is tailored for players who value stealth and surprise in their tactical array.