Indie TTRPG bundle for Trans Kids in Texas
March 4, 2022 8:24 PM Subscribe
The TTRPGs for Trans Rights in Texas bundle features nearly 500 different downloadable tabletop roleplaying games, for a minimum donation of $5, in response to the heinous policies recently announced by Texas's government. Donations are to be split between the Transgender Education Network of Texas and Organización Latina de Trans en Texas. A google spreadsheet provides an alternate way of browsing the titles on offer. Another huge itch.io bundle, for Ukraine, is just wrapping up submissions and hopes to release on Monday.
Bundle highlights include Wanderhome (one of Polygon's best indie tabletop RPGs of 2021) and Agon by John Harper (who previously put Blades in the Dark in the Bundle for Racial Justice and Equality, and I'm impressed that he's contributed a different flagship title here).
Please recommend me lesser-known games in this bundle!
posted by icebergs at 9:03 PM on March 4, 2022 [6 favorites]
Please recommend me lesser-known games in this bundle!
posted by icebergs at 9:03 PM on March 4, 2022 [6 favorites]
Thank you so much for posting this. The last couple of weeks have really hammered my hope for... many different things, but things like this give me so much hope. I look forward to trying some of these out. I'm also glad to know to keep an eye out for the Ukraine bundle.
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 9:14 PM on March 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by BigHeartedGuy at 9:14 PM on March 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
To pick one out, Exceptionals is one a friend-of-a-friend put out that's in the bundle, and it looks super neat as a more-aware look at "X-Men" mythos.
Exceptionals is a game inspired by x-men about and for the spaces and communities marginalized peoples make for themselves. Play as a Geno, one of little less than 0.5% percent of the population that has gone through a mysterious process called Claremont-Simonson mutation, as you try to navigate a world that won’t make room for you. Exceptionals is a game about what the mutant metaphor means to you and the different lenses through which we view it. Punch back and build something of worth together in this narrative tag-driven tabletop role playing game.
posted by CrystalDave at 9:31 PM on March 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
Exceptionals is a game inspired by x-men about and for the spaces and communities marginalized peoples make for themselves. Play as a Geno, one of little less than 0.5% percent of the population that has gone through a mysterious process called Claremont-Simonson mutation, as you try to navigate a world that won’t make room for you. Exceptionals is a game about what the mutant metaphor means to you and the different lenses through which we view it. Punch back and build something of worth together in this narrative tag-driven tabletop role playing game.
posted by CrystalDave at 9:31 PM on March 4, 2022 [4 favorites]
tag-driven might need explanation for people reading this.
posted by hippybear at 9:35 PM on March 4, 2022
posted by hippybear at 9:35 PM on March 4, 2022
I think "Jonathan Frakes Wants Your Attention, And You Must Not Give It To Him" is worth a big fat donation by itself.
posted by charred husk at 10:06 PM on March 4, 2022 [13 favorites]
posted by charred husk at 10:06 PM on March 4, 2022 [13 favorites]
I bought this in part to try some solo RPGs, which I'm interested in but never tried. Any recommendations of these from this bundle would be appreciated!
posted by underwater at 10:14 PM on March 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by underwater at 10:14 PM on March 4, 2022 [2 favorites]
tag-driven might need explanation for people reading this.
Absent any context, tag-driven sounds maybe kind of like aspects in Fate?
posted by juv3nal at 2:27 AM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Absent any context, tag-driven sounds maybe kind of like aspects in Fate?
posted by juv3nal at 2:27 AM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Clicked the link before the end of the first sentence. Take my money!
Thanks for the link.
posted by howfar at 6:15 AM on March 5, 2022
Thanks for the link.
posted by howfar at 6:15 AM on March 5, 2022
Not really a gamer, but...I have SO many games from doing charity bundles like these
If you ever want to give one of your horde a try, I'd be happy to run it. I love a new system.
posted by howfar at 6:37 AM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
If you ever want to give one of your horde a try, I'd be happy to run it. I love a new system.
posted by howfar at 6:37 AM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
Unfortunately, itch.io's interface for this isn't very good. You have to download the files one at a time. Also, it's completely disorganized. It took me quite a while to find Thirsty Sword Lesbians, and one adventure. (I think I saw some more TSL stuff while looking for TSL, but I'm nowhere near finishing my first pass through everything, after a couple of hours.) So far, I've seen some Pathfinder races, a couple of adventures for Pathfinder and 5e, a lot of quick and dirty games, and a couple of solo games.
RPG.net is doing a WWR (where we read) of the collection, because it's way too much for one person. It's here.
There are also a couple of twitter threads on the games here and here.
posted by Spike Glee at 7:44 AM on March 5, 2022 [3 favorites]
RPG.net is doing a WWR (where we read) of the collection, because it's way too much for one person. It's here.
There are also a couple of twitter threads on the games here and here.
posted by Spike Glee at 7:44 AM on March 5, 2022 [3 favorites]
Agon is a great game, and Pigsmoke is fun (magical university, where you are new faculty). I mean, even if you only download a few of the games, it's still a great deal for a good cause.
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:05 AM on March 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
posted by GenjiandProust at 10:05 AM on March 5, 2022 [2 favorites]
Metafilter: It took me quite a while to find Thirsty Sword Lesbians
I would also like recommendations or names of the cool designers from within this massive collection.
posted by mecran01 at 10:29 AM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
I would also like recommendations or names of the cool designers from within this massive collection.
posted by mecran01 at 10:29 AM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
My husband's band recently played a show to raise money for the Trans Education Network of Texas, they're an excellent charity. Thanks for passing this along.
posted by subdee at 7:24 PM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by subdee at 7:24 PM on March 5, 2022 [1 favorite]
I spent a few hours going through this bundle and here is a list of games that caught my eye or that I think are noteworthy. I've not included anything already mentioned upthread nor anything that isn't a standalone game. Underwater, I've noted which ones are solo for you.
An Altogether Different River - A game about returning home and grappling with what has and hasn't changed. For 2-4. An expansion for this game is also in the bundle: Branching Streams.
Athanor (Solo) - A short journaling game about leaving on a sea voyage. Uses actual fire in the game mechanics.
Courier (Solo) - Exploration/mapmaking game about delivering mail in a post-apocalyptic setting. Has a multiplayer variant in the download package.
A Dirty World - This is probably the best film noir themed tabletop RPG. I actually own this one in print. One Roll Engine.
Dreampunk - Travel through and manipulate the dreamworld. Uses a special deck of cards which is NOT included in the bundle. I considered not including this one for that reason, but it looks too interesting to leave out.
Dueling Fops of Vindamere - "Bridgerton, only extremely violent" or "extra-horny Cobra Kai, with swords." Very little graphic design or layout on this one, but looks like a really solid game for a one-shot.
Evergreen Wilds (Solo) - Spend a season a season as a park ranger. Reminded me of the video game Firewatch since you explore a map and make radio calls. Also, I think it could be adapted to be a 2 player epistolary game with minor effort.
A Fistful of Darkness - Weird/Supernatural Western RPG based on Blades in the Dark.
High Magic Lowlives - Post-Dungeon Fantasy Tabletop RPG about wizard school dropouts who get into trouble with the Immortal Aristocracy to make coin and build their #brand.
Humans - A parlour LARP about not-humans pretending to be humans at a social gathering.
Inspirisles - Inclusive fantasy RPG designed around American and British Sign Language. Made by educators in the deaf community. Includes video tutorials on signing.
Mud (Solo) - Solo game about a judaic golem. Looks to be a hybrid between a comic and a game.
Nighthawks - Based on the Edward Hopper painting. About lonely people hanging out in a diner. I know that is a hard sell, but it looks surprisingly great.
Of That Colossal Wreck - Post apocalyptic exploration game. Says that it is 1-4 players, so could be played solo. Has a mechanic where you build houses of cards.
Paranormal - Two player competitive storytelling game where a ghost and ghost hunter are pitted against each other.
Patchwork World - Kind of an Alice in Wonderland x Fairy Tales sort of thing. Built on PBTA, but doesn't use playbooks.
Quietus - One-shot RPG for 2-3 about melancholic horror. Forged in the Dark system.
The Reaper's Almanac - Epistolary game where grim reapers write letters to each other about the souls they've guided to the afterlife.
Sentinel (Solo) - Journaling game about the guardian of a sanctuary or similar place. Pretty barebones, but looks very playable.
Tavern at the End of the World (Solo) - Keep your tavern afloat in a dangerous city. Requires a tarot deck.
Village Witch (Solo) - Cozy journaling game about a witch settling into a new home.
A Visit to San Sibilia (Solo) - Journaling game about visiting a fictional city.
Wandering Dreams (Solo) - Dark Fantasy/Lovecraftian solo game where you explore a weird and hostile world.
My Body is a Cage - Dream of a dungeon. Your loot comes back to waking life, but the dangers are real too. Seems like a riff on the Persona JRPGs. Time management, school setting with a surreal alternate reality.
Wight Wedding - LARP in a box dramedy for up to 25 about attending a wedding between a living person and a ghost.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 11:22 AM on March 6, 2022 [11 favorites]
An Altogether Different River - A game about returning home and grappling with what has and hasn't changed. For 2-4. An expansion for this game is also in the bundle: Branching Streams.
Athanor (Solo) - A short journaling game about leaving on a sea voyage. Uses actual fire in the game mechanics.
Courier (Solo) - Exploration/mapmaking game about delivering mail in a post-apocalyptic setting. Has a multiplayer variant in the download package.
A Dirty World - This is probably the best film noir themed tabletop RPG. I actually own this one in print. One Roll Engine.
Dreampunk - Travel through and manipulate the dreamworld. Uses a special deck of cards which is NOT included in the bundle. I considered not including this one for that reason, but it looks too interesting to leave out.
Dueling Fops of Vindamere - "Bridgerton, only extremely violent" or "extra-horny Cobra Kai, with swords." Very little graphic design or layout on this one, but looks like a really solid game for a one-shot.
Evergreen Wilds (Solo) - Spend a season a season as a park ranger. Reminded me of the video game Firewatch since you explore a map and make radio calls. Also, I think it could be adapted to be a 2 player epistolary game with minor effort.
A Fistful of Darkness - Weird/Supernatural Western RPG based on Blades in the Dark.
High Magic Lowlives - Post-Dungeon Fantasy Tabletop RPG about wizard school dropouts who get into trouble with the Immortal Aristocracy to make coin and build their #brand.
Humans - A parlour LARP about not-humans pretending to be humans at a social gathering.
Inspirisles - Inclusive fantasy RPG designed around American and British Sign Language. Made by educators in the deaf community. Includes video tutorials on signing.
Mud (Solo) - Solo game about a judaic golem. Looks to be a hybrid between a comic and a game.
Nighthawks - Based on the Edward Hopper painting. About lonely people hanging out in a diner. I know that is a hard sell, but it looks surprisingly great.
Of That Colossal Wreck - Post apocalyptic exploration game. Says that it is 1-4 players, so could be played solo. Has a mechanic where you build houses of cards.
Paranormal - Two player competitive storytelling game where a ghost and ghost hunter are pitted against each other.
Patchwork World - Kind of an Alice in Wonderland x Fairy Tales sort of thing. Built on PBTA, but doesn't use playbooks.
Quietus - One-shot RPG for 2-3 about melancholic horror. Forged in the Dark system.
The Reaper's Almanac - Epistolary game where grim reapers write letters to each other about the souls they've guided to the afterlife.
Sentinel (Solo) - Journaling game about the guardian of a sanctuary or similar place. Pretty barebones, but looks very playable.
Tavern at the End of the World (Solo) - Keep your tavern afloat in a dangerous city. Requires a tarot deck.
Village Witch (Solo) - Cozy journaling game about a witch settling into a new home.
A Visit to San Sibilia (Solo) - Journaling game about visiting a fictional city.
Wandering Dreams (Solo) - Dark Fantasy/Lovecraftian solo game where you explore a weird and hostile world.
My Body is a Cage - Dream of a dungeon. Your loot comes back to waking life, but the dangers are real too. Seems like a riff on the Persona JRPGs. Time management, school setting with a surreal alternate reality.
Wight Wedding - LARP in a box dramedy for up to 25 about attending a wedding between a living person and a ghost.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 11:22 AM on March 6, 2022 [11 favorites]
I have no no way to ever play most of these but obviously I bought them anyway. Excited to try the solo ones.
posted by Vociva at 7:22 AM on March 7, 2022
posted by Vociva at 7:22 AM on March 7, 2022
How do these digital TTRPG games work? PDF's to print off?
posted by ShakeyJake at 11:16 AM on March 7, 2022
posted by ShakeyJake at 11:16 AM on March 7, 2022
You typically get a PDF copy of the rulebook. Some of them have multiple versions of the rules like a print optimized one, a plaintext one (for screenreaders, usually), and so on. Some of the packages also include extras like character sheets, maps, tokens, and that sort of thing. I'm pretty sure I even saw one that had a link to a github repo for adding the game mechanics to the Foundry Virtual Tabletop, although I can't remember which one that was. There were 17 pages of games so you'll have to excuse my fuzzy memory.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 7:53 PM on March 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
posted by forbiddencabinet at 7:53 PM on March 7, 2022 [1 favorite]
For those interested, Itch.io launched another charity bundle today called The TTRPG Community Stands with Ukraine with proceeds going to the Canadian Red Cross Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal. They picked the Canadian Red Cross because Canada is matching donations.
I haven't had time to go through the entire bundle yet, but there is some crossover between bundles. If bundle contents are the deciding factor for you to choose between bundles then go trans kids since it has roughly four times as much content at time of writing this, although maybe more games will be added over time. Some standouts in this bundle that are not in the Indie TTRPG Bundle for Trans Kids in Texas that I noticed are:
Sleepaway - Made by the same people as Wanderhome, which I think was the runaway favourite of the other bundle.
Ultraviolet Grasslands - Old school inspired RPG with inspired by psychedelic album covers.
Runners in the Shadows - This is Shadowrun with the numbers filed off using the Forged in the Dark system.
Grimoire (Solo) - This is a really cool solo game where you make a wizard's spellbook. I already owned this one and it is one of my favourites in the solo subgenre.
Into the Blue Midnight - 2 player game about going into the deep ocean. This looks super cool to me, but I've been obsessed with bathysphere exploration since I was a small child because of this museum exhibit. I am positively delighted to have an excuse to link this video on the blue.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 10:29 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
I haven't had time to go through the entire bundle yet, but there is some crossover between bundles. If bundle contents are the deciding factor for you to choose between bundles then go trans kids since it has roughly four times as much content at time of writing this, although maybe more games will be added over time. Some standouts in this bundle that are not in the Indie TTRPG Bundle for Trans Kids in Texas that I noticed are:
Sleepaway - Made by the same people as Wanderhome, which I think was the runaway favourite of the other bundle.
Ultraviolet Grasslands - Old school inspired RPG with inspired by psychedelic album covers.
Runners in the Shadows - This is Shadowrun with the numbers filed off using the Forged in the Dark system.
Grimoire (Solo) - This is a really cool solo game where you make a wizard's spellbook. I already owned this one and it is one of my favourites in the solo subgenre.
Into the Blue Midnight - 2 player game about going into the deep ocean. This looks super cool to me, but I've been obsessed with bathysphere exploration since I was a small child because of this museum exhibit. I am positively delighted to have an excuse to link this video on the blue.
posted by forbiddencabinet at 10:29 PM on March 7, 2022 [2 favorites]
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I have SO many games from doing charity bundles like these!
posted by hippybear at 8:38 PM on March 4, 2022 [5 favorites]