The Weekly LIVE 273 - Fate of the Fellowship, McCullough 2025, Evil Genius Games and Bitter Chalice

The upcoming release of "The Lord of the Rings: Fate of the Fellowship", a cooperative tabletop game by Matt Leacock and Z-Man Games, brings the world of Middle-earth to life this June. Players will work together as heroes to protect Middle-earth’s havens from advancing enemies while helping Frodo evade the Nazgûl on his journey to destroy the One Ring. With gameplay designed for 1-5 players, the game features 13 characters, 14 event cards, and 24 objectives, alongside stunning artwork and a detailed 11-inch replica of Barad-dûr as the game’s centerpiece. Leacock adapts the system from his renowned Pandemic board game, which has already been reimagined in various settings, such as Star Wars and the Cthulhu mythos. This new game holds special significance for Leacock, as his cooperative game design journey began with Reiner Knizia’s "The Lord of the Rings" in 2000. Now, 25 years later, Leacock shares his personal take on Tolkien’s epic tale. He will be providing design insights leading up to the game’s release and signing early copies at the U.K. Games Expo in May.

Joseph McCullough’s 2025 releases from Osprey Games include a mix of fun, imaginative, and adventurous titles. "Hairfoot Jousting," a whimsical game about tournament competition, focuses on humor and sportsmanship. The "Stargrave: Death Vector" expansion introduces cyberpunk hacking mechanics and deadly cyborg enemies in a campaign set within the Outlaw Technology Sector. "Frostgrave: Advanced Spellcraft" adds critical spellcasting mechanics and a competitive campaign to celebrate the game’s 10th anniversary, while "The Silver Bayonet: Britain – Bones of Albion" expands its supernatural battles to the British Isles with a full campaign and undead enemies.

Evil Genius Games (EGG), publisher of the Everyday Heroes tabletop roleplaying game, has been under scrutiny for its business practices and leadership issues, as detailed in investigative articles published in 2024. These articles, based on court documents, internal communications, and interviews with former employees, revealed ethical concerns and alleged retaliation against staff who spoke out. Recently, EGG's CEO, Dave Scott, contacted a Reddit user, asking them to remove a link to one such article, claiming it was harming the company. This request backfired, reviving interest in the article and invoking the "Streisand Effect." Despite financial backing and recent product launches, including the digital platform "Sidekick," EGG has faced criticism for its previous use of controversial Web3 technologies and its treatment of employees. Critics argue the company's struggles stem from leadership decisions rather than external commentary.

Finally, "Bitter Chalice," a Soulslike fantasy TTRPG, offers players a dark and immersive journey through the cursed Blighted Lands. Inspired by games like Bloodborne and Elden Ring, the game is structured as a meticulously crafted campaign with unique classes, areas to explore, and a dynamic map. Aimed at delivering a challenging yet narrative-driven experience, it avoids the repetitive death mechanics typical of Soulslike video games. The game’s launch promises early bird bonuses and exclusive content for backers.

#pandemic #frostgrave #evilgeniusgames #bitterchalice

ENWorld’s reporting on Evil Genius Games:
https://www.enworld.org/threads/the-rise-and-fall-of-evil-genius-games.702617/

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BItter Chalice:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/theworldanvil/bitter-chalice

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