Lightspress Manifesto: 11 June 2024
This week brings another minor-but-significant change as the newsletter merges with the blog. From now on, you can access the Lightspress Manifesto freely on the blog, but won't receive it via email unless you’re subscribed. Originally, we planned to offer exclusive discounts in the newsletter to boost subscriptions and sales. However, the blog attracts more readers, and only a couple of people occasionally use the discount code.
So, the newsletter will maintain its format and continue via email. But it will now be the Tuesday blog post, saving us from writing an extra weekly post. The weekly discount will persist, and making it public may encourage more people to use it.
This week on the blog, we’ll discuss the ongoing behind-the-scenes changes, mostly concerning our philosophy and its implementation. Due to other commitments, we won't recap last week's posts in this issue, but that feature will return next week. For now, you can find them on the website's front page.
I hope you’re doing well today.
New Releases
Here’s what’s new in the shop this week!
Modern Characters
Modern Characters is a resource designed to help you create interesting characters for your roleplaying game settings. Whether you're exploring the gritty world of crime, navigating the high-stakes shadows of espionage, exploring the chilling atmosphere of horror, unraveling mysteries, or weaving tales of romance, this book offers a collection of traits to inspire and enhance your roleplaying.
Modern Adventures
Modern Adventures offers a comprehensive collection of beat charts tailored for crafting modern-era roleplaying game experiences. Whether examining the depths of urban exploration, navigating the complexities of taboo romance, or unraveling the mysteries of the internet, this book provides a versatile toolkit for gamemasters and players alike. System-neutral and easily adaptable to any setting, Modern Adventures seamlessly integrates with The Suspicion Engine, also published by Lightspress, offering a streamlined experience for those seeking thrilling and engaging narratives in the contemporary world. With its wide range of beats and scenarios, this book is the ultimate resource for creating memorable and captivating adventures in the modern age.
Finding Adventure
Fantasy roleplaying games have long captivated the imagination of players around the world, offering experiences where individuals can step into the shoes of heroes, wizards, and adventurers. These games transport players to worlds filled with magic, monsters, and mystery, allowing them to go on epic quests, solve ancient riddles, and forge alliances with allies and foes alike.
Assessing the core elements of fantasy roleplaying for their adventure potential is important for both gamemasters and players. Character classes, spell types, magic weapons, magic items, and creature types are the building blocks of adventure, shaping the stories that unfold within the setting. By understanding the story capabilities of these elements, gamemasters can craft more engaging experiences, while players can make informed choices that align with their roleplaying preferences.
This Week’s Discount Code
This week’s code is HAPPYPRIDE
It will save you 20% off your entire purchase for one week after the date of this newsletter.
Coming Soon Eventually
As we undergo some strategic realignment to facilitate our growth trajectory, there have been adjustments to our production schedule. Our revised approach prioritizes precision over speed, all while maintaining a keen eye on efficiency and profitability within a challenging economic landscape and niche publishing environment. As part of this strategy, Berin has transitioned from a public-facing role to a more focused position on content creation, while still overseeing operational aspects.
One notable change in our production process is Berin's adoption of exclusive long-hand writing in journals. While this method does entail a longer timeframe and necessitates transcription, it offers the benefit of fostering deeper consideration, providing an additional layer of scrutiny during the editing phase, and, as Berin notes, offers tangible evidence for those concerned about the authenticity of content in an era of AI-generated material.
Our primary objective remains the completion of The Suspicion Engine, a groundbreaking system set to drive all Lightspress games moving forward. This pivotal development will not only culminate in the realization of Ghostlight but also pave the way for a diverse array of new games across various popular yet underrepresented genres.
The Suspicion Engine
A roleplaying game system tailored for modern settings, drawing its inspiration from the pervasive themes of distrust, skepticism, and wariness found in genres like crime, espionage, horror, mystery, and romance. Our focus on realistic roleplaying grounds players, leaving behind fantastic elements for a more relatable approach found in novels, film, and television.
Ghostlight
A dark academia horror-romance roleplaying game, the first in a series of modern games powered by The Suspicion Engine.
Seven Valleys
A cottagecore fantasy variant of The Suspicion Engine, and the foundation of a new series of fantasy roleplaying games.
Hard Times
A Victorian magical realism variant of The Suspicion Engine, and the foundation of a new series of fantasy roleplaying games.
Thank You
Lightspress is committed to simplifying roleplaying, prioritizing substance over style. We understand that the true essence of roleplaying unfolds around the table, where creativity and collaboration flourish, not within the pages of a rulebook. We're passionate about crafting games that unite people and honor their individuality. Through a focus on cooperation, interaction, and investigation, our games offer experiences where players explore compelling adventures and forge meaningful connections. By releasing these games, we aspire to cultivate inclusive spaces where everyone can thrive and where every story can shine. We invite you to join us on this journey as we light the way toward creativity.
