Over the coming weeks, you might see some blog posts and product descriptions containing a bit of… let’s call it forced… language. While we’re doing our best to avoid making it cringeworthily obvious and allow the text to flow as organically as possible we are, as any other business, subject to the whims of soulless algorithms. By strategically  injecting keywords, we hope to maximize our search engine optimization and draw in more readers and customers. It’s an ugly truth, and one want to be transparent about. We’re a small publisher in a relatively small niche. We have to make that coin somehow, and this is, sadly, how the world works now. 

I hope you’re doing well today.

New Releases

Here’s what’s new in the Lightspress shop this week!

Understanding Modern Roleplaying

In Understanding Modern Roleplaying, I aim to shed light on a fascinating facet of roleplaying games. While we're accustomed to the familiar tropes of fantasy, science fiction, horror, and superheroes, there exists another domain that deserves our attention: the modern era.

Understanding Crime Roleplaying

In Understanding Crime Roleplaying, I'll guide you through the process of adapting crime literature into engaging roleplaying games. By understanding and applying the tropes and conventions of the crime genre, you can create adventures that capture the essence of classic and modern crime stories. Genre analysis is critical in this endeavor, as it helps us identify the core elements that make crime fiction so captivating. Whether it's the intricate plots, morally complex characters, or the tension-filled atmosphere, these components need to be carefully integrated into your games to ensure an authentic experience for players.

Understanding Espionage Roleplaying

In Understanding Espionage, I explore how you can bring the thrilling world of spy fiction into your tabletop roleplaying games. Understanding the tropes and conventions of the espionage genre is critical because it helps you create engaging and believable adventures. By analyzing the genre, we can identify the key elements that make these adventures captivating, like tension, intrigue, and complex characters. This knowledge allows us to adapt these elements to our games, ensuring that our sessions are as exciting as the best spy novels.

Understanding Horror Roleplaying

In Understanding Horror, I'll guide you through the intricate world of non-supernatural horror and how to adapt its unique tropes and conventions to your tabletop roleplaying games. Genre analysis is critical for this endeavor because it helps us break down the elements that make this style of horror compelling and terrifying. By understanding these elements, we can create experiences that are both authentic to the genre and deeply engaging for players. Whether you're a seasoned gamemaster or new to the world of roleplaying games, this book will provide you with the tools and insights needed to bring the eerie, unsettling atmosphere of horror to life in your campaigns

Understanding Mystery Roleplaying

In Understanding Mystery, I aim to explore how the timeless appeal of mystery literature can enrich your tabletop roleplaying games. By analyzing the key elements that make mystery stories so captivating, like intricate plots, compelling characters, and suspenseful twists, we can adapt these techniques to create immersive and engaging game experiences. Understanding the genre's nuances helps us craft scenarios that challenge players' deductive skills and keep them on the edge of their seats. Whether you're a gamemaster or a player, diving into the essence of mystery will elevate your roleplaying.

Understanding Space Opera Roleplaying

In Understanding Space Opera, I'll guide you through the expansive world of space opera literature and show you how to adapt its unique elements to your roleplaying games. Analyzing the genre's core tropes and conventions is important for capturing its essence, from epic interstellar adventures to complex characters and grand conflicts. By understanding these key elements, you'll be better equipped to create engaging experiences that resonate with players and bring the grandeur of space opera to life at your table.

Understanding Romance Roleplaying

In Understanding Romance, I'll guide you through the process of adapting the rich and emotive world of romance literature to your tabletop roleplaying games. Understanding the intricacies of romance is important because it allows us to create compelling and emotionally engaging stories that resonate with players. By analyzing the key tropes and conventions of the romance genre, we can build narratives that are not only captivating but also deeply satisfying. Whether you're new to roleplaying games or an experienced gamemaster, this book will help you bring the magic of romance to your game table.

This Week’s Discount Code

This week’s code is ASYOULIKEIT

It will save you 20% off your entire purchase for one week after the date of this newsletter.

The Day-to-Day

In case you missed them, new and notable posts on the blog!

The Odyssey: Lessons Learned

Even though there was minimal hype surrounding the release of The Odyssey, it's clear that it's underperforming. Sales are dismal. While my primary goal was to use it as a tool for developing the journaling game and navigating through Amazon's print process, and those purposes were served, it has also reaffirmed some of my preexisting notions. Read More

Philosophy Statement

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 narratives 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 boundless creativity. Read More

Finding Adventure

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. Read More

The Suspicion Engine: An Introduction

The Suspicion Engine: An Introduction gives you a taste of the system, allowing you to investigative how it works and what it's about before committing to the full experience. We’re planning a full lineup of complete modern games utilizing the same system and compatible settings. Accompanying each game will a series of system-neutral essays and articles. These examine the deeper traits of roleplaying, offering insights, tips, and creative prompts to enhance your experiences and roleplaying sessions Read More

In an Age of Technology, Nature and Connection are Counterculture

So, TLDR, I’m only doing games that explore cooperation, interaction, and investigation going forward. I’m not saying there will be zero violence. I’m saying that when it does exist, it’s to make a point, and it should be shocking, and it should be a terrible, tragic thing. But I’m also saying that meeting supporting characters and having romantic adventures in the classical sense and solving problems and making discoveries are fun, and escapist, and uplifting, and a balm for the soul. And that’s what I want to put out into the world. Read More

In an Era of Ignorance, Education is Counterculture

What I want to talk about today is dark academia. Both the aesthetic and the genre. I have an opinion, a conjecture, not a fact, about why it’s popular. While I cannot speak for everyone, and am not an expert, I can speak to why it appeals to me, and why it’s going to be a running thread through a lot of the modern roleplaying games I have planned over the coming months, possibly the next couple of years. Read More

In a Complicated World, Simplicity is Counterculture

So I’ve talked a bit about cottagecore, I’ve discussed dark academia, and at some point I’ll write about magical realism. The throughline for me is escapism. They’re all ways of looking at the world in, if not an entirely positive and hopeful way, then at least a comforting one. One can see the tropes of each genre as coping mechanisms, literally for the characters in these stories and vicariously for those of us in this real world. There is a simplicity in these genres; they may be difficulty to explain, sure, and different people will have a wide range of definitions about what fits within each category, but you know it when it feels right. If nothing else, characters can be seen to be living under a code of ethics, or a personal philosophy, uncomplicated principles that guide their lives. Read More

Thank You

The Lightspress Manifesto is our official weekly newsletter, delivering information on new and upcoming releases, sales and events, and sources of creative inspiration directly to your email inbox. It's your essential guide to all things Lightspress, and the best part? It's completely free. Stay connected and subscribe to The Lightspress Manifesto now!

Lightspress promotes a simple approach to roleplaying, focusing on the utility and value of the content rather than flashy production. We strategically employ visual elements to amplify the message conveyed by the text, allowing us to create powerful and affordable toolkits. Remember, the true essence of the roleplaying experience lies not within the pages of a book, but in the creativity and collaboration fostered around your tabletop.