‘Planet Of The Apes’ Role-Playing Game Coming To Kickstarter
by Brendan M. Allen
Graphic novel and games publisher Magnetic Press has announced the upcoming launch for their pre-order campaign for the official tabletop Role-Playing Game based on Planet of the Apes.
The creative team includes a bevy of award winning writers and game designers, led by Andrew E.C. Gaska. This roleplaying game will not only include material inspired by the canon established in the original five-film series, but also brand new lore and adventures added to the original sprawling science fiction universe.
I’ll admit that I’m not the foremost expert on TTRPG. We have a guy for that. His name is Anton. I am, however, a HUGE fan of the original PotA franchise. Over the last decade or so, I have used “Damn, dirty apes!” in easily half a dozen different titles for various PotA comics reviews, from Kong on the PotA to Beware the PotA. If there’s any property that would bring me into the TTRPG fandom, this is one. (Peanuts and Doctor Who would also be acceptable.)
Planet of the Apes: The Role-Playing Game will be available for pre-order on Kickstarter soon, with several pre-order incentives and exclusive items that will only be available through this campaign. Such exclusive offerings include additional gaming materials, new miniature gameplay piece sets, physical in-world artifacts to assist roleplay, and bonus gameplay enhancements that will not be available in retail.
The game itself consists of four primary components, starting with the hardcover Core Rulebook, which features cover artwork by Bill Sienkiewicz. This deluxe 300+ page volume contains all of the rules, statistics, and lore necessary to introduce new players to the world of Planet of the Apes, while a separate sourcebook, The Ansa Files, will provide references and resources specific to the classic films and novels. Two limited-edition Slipcase Sets containing both hardcovers will be available exclusively through the campaign, featuring unique textured casing in one of two collectible colors.
“Planet of the Apes is, without question, one of the greatest science fiction franchises ever,” says Mike Kennedy, Magnetic Press’s Founder and Publisher. “It is not only an exciting high concept, but it does what great sci-fi does best: holding a mirror up to society. The Planet of the Apes RPG will contain all of that political intrigue while also giving players a vast and dangerous world to explore full of brand-new mysteries and adventures to experience first-hand. Andrew E.C. Gaska has gathered an incredible team of brilliant artists and writers to expand upon this classic scenario, and we are thrilled to have creators involved who are passionate about the franchise. We have many plans for both humans and apes, and this launch is just the beginning.”
In addition to these hardcover books, the Forbidden Zone Campaign Adventure Box will contain an assortment of supplemental tools and content to help players explore this dangerous world. Contents will include a campaign adventure book, unique maps and player markers, a set of 12 thematic Alpha and Omega 6-sided dice, a 3-panel Lawgiver Reference Screen with handy tables, and a deck of game statistics cards.
To further immerse players into this adventurous world, the campaign will showcase the Ruins of Tomorrow Miniatures set of plastic playing pieces that will only be available directly from Magnetic Press. These detailed game pieces capture the various character types, both ape and human, for strategic tabletop gameplay. Additional sets of plastic playing pieces will be revealed throughout the campaign as unlockable “stretch goals.” Such unlockable additions include the ANSA astronaut spaceship, a Statue of Liberty dice tower, and many other character types and locations featured in the original films. Unlike the two core rulebooks, these plastic gameplay expansions will not be available at retail.
Game design is built on Magnetic’s D6MV System, a modern update of the classic D6 System of role-playing rules originally made popular by West End Games with the first official Star Wars RPG, Men In Black RPG, and Ghostbusters RPG.
Fans can pre-register for the campaign at this link to receive an exclusive linen cardstock art print of Bill Sienkiewicz’ cover if they pledge their support in the first 48 hours of the campaign.
