The Manifesto: 20 August 2024
The Simple Approach: What’s Changing at Lightspress
If you’ve been following Lightspress for a while, you’ve probably noticed some shifts in our branding and overall approach. From the revised logo to the emphasis on The Simple Approach, there’s a lot happening behind the scenes. A few folks have reached out, curious about what all these changes mean, why I’m revising existing books, and what this means for Lightspress moving forward. I wanted to take a moment to address these questions and give you a peek at what’s coming next.
Why the Change?
Let’s start with the why. Over time, it’s become clear that having too many product lines not only confuses consumers but also makes things more difficult to manage on my end. I’ve heard from many of you that it’s hard to keep track of all the different systems and books, and I get it. It’s a lot. That’s why I’ve decided to pull everything under one unified system—The Simple Approach. This shift simplifies things across the board. It streamlines our offerings, makes it easier for you to find what you’re looking for, and lets me focus on creating quality content without getting bogged down in the complexities of multiple systems.
The Lightspress Handbook
To make this transition smoother, I’m putting together the Lightspress Handbook. This will be a free book that covers everything you need to know about the unified game system, the Lightspress philosophy of roleplaying, and notes on converting our material into popular roleplaying systems. It’ll also include answers to frequently asked questions and more. The Handbook is designed to be your go-to resource for understanding what Lightspress is all about and how the changes will affect the content you’ve come to enjoy.
What’s Next?
Once the Handbook is out, hopefully in the next couple of weeks, I’ll be incorporating its content into the website and expanding on it with blog posts. Until then, I know this transition might be a little confusing, so here’s the short version.
Bringing everything under The Simple Approach banner helps eliminate the confusion caused by having too many product lines. It also allows me to create larger, more comprehensive books—a request I’ve heard from many of you. You’ve probably noticed this shift already in recent releases, and there’s more to come. As for print versions, they’ve always been a popular request. While sales haven’t justified the cost in the past, I’ve finally worked out a way to make it happen. This is something I’m really excited about and can’t wait to share with you.
Behind the Scenes
This overhaul has required a lot of work behind the scenes, which I’ve been quietly managing during the #RPGaDay challenge. It’s been a busy time, but I’m confident that the changes will make Lightspress stronger and more accessible for everyone. The Handbook is a big part of that, and I’m eager for you to see it.
Looking Forward
The Lightspress Handbook will be available for free and will hopefully answer all your questions while giving you a clear picture of what the future holds. I’m looking forward to this new chapter for Lightspress and to continuing to provide you with the content you’ve come to expect—just in a more streamlined, user-friendly format. Thanks for sticking with me through these changes, and as always, your support and feedback are invaluable.
Stay tuned for the Handbook, and here’s to a simplified, more cohesive Lightspress experience.
I hope you’re doing well today.
New Releases
Here’s what’s new in the Lightspress shop this week!
The Simple Approach to Horror in Fantasy
Explore the chilling depths of The Simple Approach to Horror in Fantasy, a haunting book that seamlessly integrates horror into your favorite fantasy settings. This atmosphere-heavy, tension-filled resource draws you into a world where dark rituals, ancient curses, and unspeakable horrors lurk in the shadows. Engage with eerie scenarios inspired by The Witcher, The Shadow of the Wind, and The Dark Tower series. Whether you're an experienced roleplayer or stepping into this dark genre for the first time, uncover the fearsome creatures and sinister plots of horror fantasy. Welcome to a place where every heartbeat is a die roll away from dread! Read More
This Month’s Discount Code
This week’s code is RPGADAY
It will save you 20% off your entire purchase until 31 August 2024.
Daylight
In case you missed them, new and notable posts on the blog!
Memorable Moment of Play (#RPGaDay2024.18)
When it comes to tabletop roleplaying, a “memorable moment of play” is that instant when everything clicks. It’s the scene you and your group will be talking about for years, the kind of moment that makes all the rules-lawyering, scheduling conflicts, and pizza grease on character sheets worth it. But these moments don’t just happen by accident—or at least, they don’t have to. With a little planning and a willingness to embrace the chaos of a random moment, you can create experiences that stick with your group long after the dice have cooled. Read More
An Engaging Roleplaying Game Community (#RPGaDay2024.17)
When we talk about an engaging roleplaying game community, the focus often drifts toward conventions, online forums, or the latest Kickstarter campaigns. But today, I want to shine a spotlight on a different kind of community—the home group. You know the one. The friends who’ve been gathering around the same table (or, let’s be honest, the same living room) for years, maybe decades. These are the folks with jobs, families, and other interests, who still carve out time to roll dice and tell stories together. They might not be the most visible or vocal part of the RPG scene, but they’re every bit as much a community as anyone else. Read More
Quick to Learn (#RPGaDay2024.16)
When it comes to tabletop roleplaying, one phrase that gets tossed around a lot is “quick to learn.” It sounds great on the surface—after all, who doesn’t want to dive right into a game without spending hours studying rules? But here’s the thing: whether or not a game is quick to learn shouldn’t be the deciding factor in whether it’s worth your time. If you’re passionate about a game, you’ll figure it out, no matter how complex it might be. Read More
Thank You
The 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.
