The Shadowdark tabletop role-playing recreation received the top prize on this yr’s Ennie Awards. And that’s not all! A panel of experts gave the old-school-inspired RPG three different gold medals as effectively, together with Finest Recreation, Finest Format and Design, and even Finest Guidelines. That provides creator Kelsey Dionne and her staff at The Arcane Library about as clear a sweep you will get in Gen Con’s largest awards program.
Shadowdark was a little bit of a sluggish burn amongst devoted followers of the TTRPG style, the place it made a reputation for itself largely through phrase of mouth within the years following the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. But it surely took a high-profile Kickstarter campaign in 2023 to actually carry the sport into the general public consciousness. There it raised almost $1.4 million — a hefty sum for a TTRPG of any form, not to mention a throwback like this one. Its a rules-light system that interprets effectively for gamers who reduce their tooth on fifth version Dungeons & Dragons. It’s excellent for Recreation Masters and teams in search of extra open-ended, much less linear experiences.
Whereas bodily copies of Shadowdark are presently bought out, you may pre-order one from the subsequent printing for $59. In the event you do, you’ll additionally get entry to a PDF model of that content material instantly. There’s additionally a free quickstart, that includes slim booklets for each gamers and recreation masters alike. It comes with a starting dungeon crawl titled Misplaced Citadel of the Scarlet Minotaur.
Picture: Charlie Corridor/Polygon
Rowan, Rook and Decard’s ultraviolent Eat The Reich additionally received a number of awards this yr, bringing house gold medals for Finest Artwork, Cowl and Finest Artwork, Inside in addition to Finest Journey – Brief Type. It’s straightforward to see why: The TTRPG places gamers within the function of a strong vampires who get “coffin dropped” into occupied Paris with the singular objective of “drinking all of Adolf Hitler’s blood.” It’s written by Grant Howitt, of Honey Heist fame, and illustrated by Will Kirkby, who has labored with Important Position in addition to Picture Comics, Darkish Horse Comics, and Increase! Studios.
Right here at Polygon we love the Ennie Awards due to their distinctive format. Judges are volunteers from the EN World group who observe a useful set of ethical guidelines, and are requested to vow to not have an expert relationship with an RPG writer within the lead-up to the awards. Tips reminiscent of these assist make sure that the Ennies aren’t only a recognition contest however a extra grassroots survey of the very best the TTRPG business has to supply. Yow will discover the whole checklist of nominees and winners in each class at the Ennie Awards website.
