The collaboration follows a successful Kickstarter campaign for RipCrypt in early December. Gritsilk Games and Modiphius Entertainment will work together to produce the RipCrypt Core Rulebook, a Premium Rulebook, and the RipCrypt Control Board. The game is expected to fulfill all backer rewards while also becoming available in retail and online stores in 2025.

Set in the Undergrade, a sprawling maze of aqueducts, catacombs, and crypts beneath ancient ruins, RipCrypt combines tactical mechanics with atmospheric storytelling. Players face hazards, traps, and creatures while scavenging for resources and seeking ancient knowledge to ascend to the Overgrade. The game aims to provide an accessible introduction to fantasy roleplaying while offering enough depth to engage veteran players.

Kýnan Antos, founder of Gritsilk Games, commented on the partnership, stating the following:

2025 is the year for modern roleplaying games. RipCrypt is well positioned to disrupt the landscape with its unique and streamlined approach. We partnered with Modiphius to help launch into a much wider market, and are incredibly excited to get this game into the hands of fans and new players internationally.

Chris Birch, co-founder of Modiphius Entertainment, also shared his thoughts.

I saw the Kickstarter for RipCrypt pop up and immediately noticed its appeal. As a personal fan of solo and cooperative roleplaying games saw the possibility for this game to realize its full potential through our ViaModiphius program.

In Hardwar, players can take on various roles, such as leading a private security company, commanding corporate forces, organizing a revolutionary group, or protecting farmsteads as a marshal. The game offers a range of factions, with options to use pre-built units or create custom forces using a straightforward construction system. Gameplay combines elements of traditional armored warfare with futuristic additions like cybernetics, sentient combat swarms, and electronic countermeasures (ECM).

Originally developed by Strato Minis Studio in Poland, Hardwar was acquired by Modiphius Entertainment in June 2024. Since the acquisition, the game has been updated and redesigned for an international release. The new edition includes a fully revised hardcover rulebook in a digest-size format, incorporating previously PDF-exclusive content such as Extended Hardware and No Heroes. The starter sets have also been re-mastered for improved detail, with miniatures painted by Modiphius’ in-house team, Callum France and Rosie Williams.

The Kickstarter campaign will offer the core rulebook, the first two factions—the Syndicate Taskforce and Consortium Security Squadron—and additional expansions. A preview of the game will be available at AdeptiCon next month.

Chris Birch, co-founder of Modiphius Entertainment, commented on the project, stating;

“With the huge love for mech combat in the community, I saw a great opportunity in Hardwar to tell a different story. One that lets you get more units on your gaming table for fast action battles. We’ve got exciting plans to explore this world and develop the storyline further.”

Halloween Horrors III introduces five new characters that can be used within the Containment Breach mission or integrated into other Achtung! Cthulhu campaigns. In this scenario, agents arrive at Cailleanach House, a secluded facility in Scotland, where a series of unexpected events, starting with a power outage triggered by a demon doll, plunge players into the Dreamlands and the shared nightmares of the facility’s patients.

John Houlihan, line editor at Modiphius, described the release as an addition that would enhance the Halloween season’s atmosphere in-game: “Halloween Horrors is back and this time it’s more terrifying than ever. It’s always immense fun to work on this collection of nasties and this time we’ve created some truly sanity-defying terrors to star in your games of Achtung! Cthulhu. Be afraid… be very afraid.”

In Echoes of an Ancient Enemy, players encounter the Thralls, a newly emerging threat from underground, as they work to uncover the reasons behind their rise. The campaign book guides players through locations from New Mossgrove to the megacity of Emerta, known as the City of Sighs, where hidden technologies and ancient secrets await discovery.

The 176-page hardcover offers 12 new adventures that can be played sequentially or added to existing campaigns, introducing new characters, creatures, and plotlines. For additional setting details, the Emerta Valo Setting Guide is available separately.

Echoes of an Ancient Enemy is available for pre-order on the Modiphius webstore and requires the Dreams and Machines Player’s Guide and Gamemaster’s Guide to play.

The game uses the “Narrativium” system, a polyhedral dice mechanic designed to capture the humor and fantastical elements of Pratchett’s world.

Modiphius secured the rights to create the game, offering six different reward tiers, ranging from the £40 Lance-Constable level, which includes PDFs of the core rulebook and supplementary materials, to the £300 Blackboard Monitor tier, which includes a signed limited-edition print and a Norse Foundry dice tray featuring Death on its lid.

The campaign, launched during the “Year of Discworld,” comes on the heels of the 40th anniversary of The Colour of Magic and is a significant addition to the Discworld legacy. It will be localized in multiple languages, including Spanish, French, German, and Polish.

Just a few hours into the campaign, Modiphius has already raised $797,038 from 4,661 backers, surpassing its initial goal of $130,549 with 22 days remaining.

The Kickstarter runs until November 7th.

The broadcast introduced a group of Watchmen played by a talented cast: Abubakar Salim as Constable Cliff, Liv Kennedy as Constable Igorina, and Josephine McAdam as Constable Misbegot & Ampersands, all led by Gamesmaster Quinns.

This first look delved into the chaos that inevitably arises when the Watch are involved, full of humor, unexpected challenges, and the delightful absurdity fans have come to expect from Discworld.

The gameplay featured a narrative-focused mechanic called the “Narrativium Dice.” The GM rolled a d8, and players had to roll against that number using different dice (from d4 to d12), depending on the difficulty of the task for their character.

Character traits also played a significant role in shaping the narrative. Players were encouraged to be honest about their characters’ strengths and weaknesses, which sometimes helped and sometimes hindered their progress.

One particularly memorable element of the playthrough involved a player portraying a gargoyle, who described their character’s movements as resembling an “old stop-motion movie,” which humorously scared people in-game.

The session also highlighted the comedic and chaotic style of gameplay. Players found themselves dealing with scenarios like dragons belching hot whiskey, dice hidden in books, and trying to solve a dragon heist at Lady Sybil Ramkin’s sanctuary.

Fans who wish to explore the game themselves can already get their hands on the free Quickstart guide available on the Modiphius website. The campaign is set to launch on October 15.

Mass Effect: The Board Game – Priority: Hagalaz is a cooperative, story-driven game for 1-4 players, designed by Eric M. Lang and Calvin Wong Tze Loon. The game is set during the events of Mass Effect 3 and follows Commander Shepard and their squad on a mission to prevent Cerberus from recovering dangerous technology on the planet Hagalaz.

The game features six 32mm pre-assembled plastic miniatures of characters including Shepard, Liara, Tali, Wrex, and Garrus. Players navigate through a branching narrative campaign with multiple missions, each influenced by player choices. The game allows for squad customization and upgrading through experience gained during play.

In addition to the board game, Modiphius is offering a series of resin miniatures available for early pre-order. These miniatures, designed to complement the board game, feature alternate poses of key characters and include Cerberus and Reaper forces. The miniatures will be available for general release on N7 Day.

The board game will retail for £40 / $50 and is expected to be available through Asmodee and local gaming stores starting in October.

This marks the first time in over two decades that a new Discworld RPG will be published, following the release of a Discworld sourcebook for GURPS by Steve Jackson Games in 1998. Securing the rights through an agreement with the estate of Sir Terry Pratchett, Modiphius aims to capture the satire and unique fantasy world that has delighted fans for years.

The release coincides with the 40th anniversary of The Colour of Magic, the first book in the Discworld series. Fans who sign up to Modiphius’ mailing list will gain early access to a Quickstart preview of the rules 24 hours ahead of the public release, later this month.

The Kickstarter for Discworld: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork launches on October 15.

Publisher: Modiphius Entertainment

Release Date: September 19th, 2024

Links: Modiphius, DriveThruRPG

At a glance

• The setting is richly detailed, capturing Shanghai in January 1943 under Imperial Japanese control.
• Blends espionage, mythos horror, and political intrigue
• Strong focus on infiltration, investigation, and high-stakes action, keeping players engaged throughout.
• The balance of rich historical detail, mythos horror, and action creates a memorable experience.

Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20: Operation Oberon takes players to the bustling streets of Shanghai in January 1943. With Imperial Japanese forces controlling the city and the sinister Black Sun faction seeking occult treasures, this 26-page adventure captures an enticing blend of espionage, mythos horror, and political intrigue.

Introduction to the Mission

Players assume the roles of agents of Section M, tasked with investigating Operation Oberon—a covert smuggling scheme through which the Germans are systematically plundering occult treasures from across Southeast Asia. The mission starts in Shanghai’s infamous Wagnerian nightclub, located in the notorious Badlands. Agents must infiltrate and uncover connections between the Black Sun and the Feilong Triad, who control the nightclub. The mission is not a simple smash-and-grab—espionage, deception, and negotiation are key tools at the players’ disposal.

Atmosphere and Setting

From the elegant, smoky atmosphere of the Wagnerian to underground locations dedicated to dark secrets, Operation Oberon offers a series of intriguing settings and scenarios. Players will find themselves immersed in the midst of Shanghai’s high society, rubbing shoulders with powerful criminals, Japanese officers, and Nazi agents. The historical accuracy combined with mythos horror elements adds depth to the setting, making it immersive and unpredictable.

The Badlands of Shanghai, known for its lawlessness and chaotic mix of crime and political intrigue, provides a rich backdrop for the mission. The tension builds as the agents navigate a complex web of hidden alliances and dangerous foes. The vivid detail of locations like the Wagnerian gives Game Masters plenty to work with, allowing players to explore Shanghai’s elite and its criminal underworld.

The scenario features excellent maps, immersive descriptions of historical locations, and enough occult elements to keep players on edge. Shanghai is brought to life through detailed environments, from the opulent Wagnerian nightclub to the gritty alleys of the Badlands. The maps are a valuable resource, allowing players to visualize the complex urban environment they must navigate.

The historical context of Shanghai under Japanese occupation is interwoven with the story, providing a sense of authenticity and urgency. The tension between occupying forces, local triads, and international spies adds layers of intrigue to the narrative. The occult elements, from dark rituals to monstrous entities, are well-integrated, ensuring the mythos presence is always felt without overshadowing the espionage aspects of the story.

The Story

Operation Oberon takes players on a thrilling journey through Shanghai as they gather crucial intelligence, evade enemies, and face a climactic confrontation. The adventure begins with agents infiltrating the Wagnerian nightclub, a hub for Shanghai’s criminal elite and a front for Black Sun’s activities. Players need to blend in at a high-profile party where they have the opportunity to gather information, make allies, or hinder enemy plans. Espionage, careful observation, and clever use of social skills are emphasized, with players needing to balance subtlety with the ever-present threat of exposure.

The adventure then shifts gears into a thrilling chase through Shanghai’s maze-like streets. After uncovering leads, the agents must act quickly to intercept smuggled goods and disrupt the Oberon operation. Players face various challenges, including turf conflicts and unexpected roadblocks, as they navigate chaotic streets and evade the forces intent on stopping them. The chase scenes are dynamic, with multiple obstacles and surprises that keep players on their toes. The blend of close calls, evasive maneuvers, and improvised tactics gives players a sense of urgency and danger, with the environment of Shanghai coming alive through detailed encounters.

The final part of the adventure features a tense confrontation at a secret location where agents must put everything they’ve learned to the test. Whether players prefer sneaking, sabotaging, or taking direct action, the climax offers intense challenges as they work to disrupt the enemy’s plans. The presence of formidable foes and supernatural threats adds a layer of danger, ensuring the climax is both challenging and cinematic. Agents must rely on their skills, allies, and quick thinking to succeed in their mission, making the ending both satisfying and thrilling.

For Game Masters

The adventure skillfully balances espionage, action, and the mythos horror that Achtung! Cthulhu is known for. The players’ choices are crucial, and there is enough flexibility for Game Masters to adapt the story based on how events unfold. While there is a strong emphasis on deception and subterfuge, combat is inevitable—especially when dealing with fanatical cultists, Black Sun operatives, and otherworldly horrors.

Game Masters are provided with detailed descriptions of each location, character motivations, and potential player actions, making it easy to adapt to unexpected player choices. The flexibility of the adventure allows GMs to either dial up the tension with additional enemies or provide alternate routes for players who prefer stealth and negotiation over direct confrontation. The inclusion of optional encounters, such as faction conflicts or dangerous rituals, gives GMs the ability to tailor the pacing and intensity of the session.

Conclusion

Achtung! Cthulhu 2d20: Operation Oberon is a great addition for groups that enjoy stories filled with espionage, complicated factions, and mythos-inspired terror. The combination of historical setting, mythos horror, and player-driven choices makes for a gripping and memorable adventure.

Using Modiphius’ new Narrativium system, which is designed specifically for the Discworld universe, the game aims to capture the essence of Terry Pratchett’s iconic humor and storytelling style. The free Quickstart PDF offers a preview of the core mechanics, providing players and game masters with a taste of what’s to come.

The Quickstart adventure places players in the roles of members of the City Watch, tasked by Commander Vimes with solving a mystery involving stolen dragons from the Lady Sybil Ramkin Sunshine Sanctuary. The setting is, of course, the chaotic city of Ankh-Morpork, and players are challenged to solve the case without causing unnecessary trouble for the locals or getting bogged down in paperwork.