I know the primary thing you want to know is when you can expect the finished game, so I’m going to give you an estimate. If everything goes well, we will release the PDF in October and then send it to print. While we had considered printing the game in China, we will not be doing that so we can save time. Chinese printers have the best prices on hardbacks, but it can take up to four months. We’re going to spend a little more money printing elsewhere so it will only take two months. With the disruptions of the holiday season in December, this means a ship date of January.

Now let me explain why this is an estimate. Once everything is finished, we need to send the completed game to N.K. Jemisin for final approval. She’s already seen and given feedback on much of the material, but we need her sign off before we release the PDF to you. We’ve done a lot of licensed games in our 24 years in business and there is no standard answer for how long this takes. Really, it will depend on how busy she is when she gets the files. It could take 2 days, 2 weeks, or one month but final approval is a necessary step. In a month I will have a substantial update to share about the game. We will have both new art and a more refined layout to share.

Today, we are off to Gen Con, which is always our biggest show of the year. Come see us at Booth 101 in the exhibit hall! We will be debuting the Sol System sourcebook for The Expanse RPG. We’ll also be offering Condition Decks for Fantasy AGE and Cthulhu Awakens at a convention for the first time (they are also available print on demand through DriveThru RPG). Condition decks are super handy at the table. If your character becomes fatigued or stunned, for example, the GM hands you the appropriate card. That gives you the rules you need and serves as a visual reminder that you have the condition. 

Let us know in the comments if you’d like to see a Condition Deck for the Fifth Season RPG.

Until next time.
Chris Pramas