Dirt City Blues is a tabletop RPG about Badasses dragged back for one last job. Set in a washed-out ’80s city of grudges, regret, and neon, it’s about punching through ghosts of the past, saving what’s left—and going out hard, loud, and maybe not whole.
A playable NPC that doubles as Art Print. Comes printed with every physical pledge, and in PDF for digital pledges
Play the past of your Badass and discover what led to their Trauma!
Imagine Sin City if Tarantino got blackout drunk on Tab and cheap bourbon, rewound the tape to ’89, and forgot to hit play. That’s Dirt City: a sleazy, neon-lit purgatory where grudges age like milk, bullets talk louder than therapy, and even the has-beens get an encore they didn’t ask for.
If you’re in a rush, Dirt City Blues is basically “Traumatized Rugged Hero Comeback: The Game.”
But if you’ve got a minute, at its core, Dirt City Blues is about people who should know better: burned-out Badasses with hair-trigger tempers, messy pasts, and a real knack for making things worse before they get better.
It all unfolds in a world where the motel ice machines never work, the TV only gets static and reruns of Knight Rider, and everyone smells like despair and cologne from a gas station. Think busted payphones, cursed mullets, creaking leather jackets, and enemies who don’t understand the word “retired.” In Dirt City, peace and quiet are suspicious, and usually mean someone’s already dead.
But Dirt City Blues is also a game about redemption, about that one last heroic act that drags you out of hiding. Someone knocks. Someone bleeds. The quiet life ends. You hang the apron, kill the lights, and step back into the fight.
Because maybe there’s still one round left in the chamber.
Maybe there’s one good story left to tell.
One player takes the role of the Boss, presenting Problems, playing everyone else, and turning up the pressure.
The other players take on the role of the Badasses: people who thought their time was up. They left the guns, grudges, and glory behind… until the city came calling.
Each player chooses a Cliché (Veteran, Vigilante, Agent, Leader, Smartass, or Specialist), a Career, and a Combat Technique.
Every choice comes with a Gift, a signature skill that might just save your ass when things go sideways.
John “Coyote” Crockett is a Specialist, a former race driver now flipping burgers at a fast-food joint. But when trouble finds him, he remembers how to hit hard… and play dirty.
Then, you define your personal ties:
The White List—people you still care about
The Black List—people you want answers from… or revenge
And with that, you’re ready to hit the road.
Dirt City’s waiting. Try not to die on your first night back.
All rewards will be available in both English and Italian. You’ll choose your preferred language during the Pledge Manager after the campaign.
To keep the workload manageable, most updates during the campaign will be in English, with key announcements also provided in Italian when necessary.
🇮🇹Tutte le ricompense saranno disponibili sia in inglese che in italiano. Potrai scegliere la tua lingua preferita durante il Pledge Manager, al termine della campagna.
Per mantenere il carico di lavoro gestibile, la maggior parte degli aggiornamenti durante la campagna sarà in inglese, ma le comunicazioni più importanti verranno fornite anche in italiano, quando necessario.
The main goal of this campaign is to fund a deluxe edition of Dirt City Blues, which includes:
A 16.8 × 24 cm (6.6” × 9.4”) hardcover version of the Core Book
A collection of extras called The Folder
A slipcase featuring an alternate cover
The hardcover Core Book contains everything you need to dive into Dirt City Blues. The game ispowered by the Monad Echo system—the same engine behind Broken Tales, Dead Air: Seasons, and Valraven: The Chronicles of Blood and Iron, two of which are ENNIE nominees. It’s fast, flexible, and built to keep the action moving.
Inside the book you’ll find a full breakdown of what it means to be a Badass in this world. You’ll choose from six gritty Clichés (archetypes), each with their own unique Gifts, and define who your character was before retirement, what kind of Trauma took them out of the game, what they were known for when they were active, and who’s on their White List and Black List. It’s all about building complex, dangerous people with unfinished business.
You’ll also get a complete Problem (a scenario called Concrete), a full section on Feats (what brings the protagonists back into the spotlight) and Problems, tools for the Boss to bring the team together, give them a reason to care, and push them into a world that doesn’t wait for heroes. We show you how to create compelling Problems, layer in complications, and deliver the kind of twists that make a story worth the scars.
Example of layout taken from the Quickstart
Of course, we break down how to run the game as the Boss, including how to embody Dirt City itself. You’ll learn how to move contacts and enemies across the White and Black lists, decide when (and if) the cops show up, handle NPCs, and keep the pressure dialed in just right.
You’ll also get an overview of Dirt City and its Districts, complete with points of interest and a cast of shady, broken, or strangely helpful NPCs.
And finally, we’ll expand the book with unlocked Stretch Goals—provided it makes sense to include them in the core volume.
The Folder,designed to look like a real investigation file, is a collection of extras that will be primarily unlocked through Stretch Goals.
The printed version of the Folder, included in the Deluxe Slipcase, will have a single print run, funded through this campaign. Once it’s gone, it’s gone, and only the digital version will remain.
The Folder already includes:
2 bonusProblems (scenario), Living and dying in Fort Reagan, Trouble at the Silver Coyote
2 extraDistricts for Dirt City, Sparkling Hill, with NPCs and points of interest, Seaside
Solo Mode "One Against All"
UNLOCKED bonus Problem, Hall of Shame
UNLOCKED bonus Problem, Sins of the Fathers
UNLOCKED bonus District, Area 52
UNLOCKED hacks to play popular TV series (Knight Rider, Miami Vice, A-Team, X-Files)
If funding allows, we’ll pack it with more content as the campaign progresses—building a thick, juicy stack of extras day by day. This will include more Problems, more Districts, and other surprises.
There’s more. Alongside the Deluxe Slipcase, this campaign also offers:
If you'd like to stick to the basics, you can also pledge for the vanilla Core Book. No frills, all firepower.
Because regular d6s just don’t cut it*. This bundle includes:
6 acrylic Standard Dice
3 acrylic Advantage Dice
3 acrylic Drawback Dice
Everything you need to roll with style.
*Sure, regular d6s will do the job. You don’t need the Bullet Dice to play, but come on, style matters. And sometimes a little indulgence makes all the difference.
Roughly 420 x 594 mm (16.5" x 23.4"), this full-color dry-erase map showcases all the Dirt City Districts in glorious, grimy detail. Comes with:
Back-of-the-map summaries and campaign guidelines on how to link individual Problems into a full-blown campaign—perfect for building longer stories, connecting clues, and keeping the pressure on
A dry-erase marker so your group can draw connections, track leads, and scribble theories in real time
Note: If you paid 1€ during the Pre-Reservation phase before the campaign launched, the Dirt City Map will be automatically included in your pledge at no extra cost. You’ll see it listed during checkout—no need to add it manually.
The Dirt City Blues Quickstart features an exclusive Problem (Maldita Pasión) and is available for free in PDF. But for collectors and completionists, we’re offering it in print—a slick, soft-touch 16.8 × 24 cm (6.6” × 9.4”) booklet that pairs beautifully with the Core Book.
TL; DR:The short version is that Dirt City Blues keeps the crunch to a minimum while retaining valuable strategic options by requiring Players to choose a target outcome before Checks and allowing them to decide how much to risk to get there.
Long version: We released the full SRD of Monad Echo last year under CC BY 4.0. You can get a free copy of it here to get a better understanding of the system on which Dirt City Blues is based.
We also recommend that you read the Dirt City Blues Quickstart for a more detailed explanation of the game's rules, mood, and intended experience.
The system evaluates what a Badass can achieve and how difficult it will be using Attributes (Vigor, Readiness, Sagacity) and Descriptors, which are brief sentences that detail their strengths.
Player Characters are strong by default, but despite their abilities, they will need to be creative in order to solve the problems that the Boss will throw their way. The way actions are described has a significant impact on their outcomes, so if you enjoy telling stories, this is the game for you!
Compared to standard Monad Echo, Dirt City Blues introduces new thematic mechanics that sharpen the game’s focus on cost and consequence. Strain reflects the moral compromises a Badass is willing to make (or the pain they’re willing to endure) to get the job done. The Bond system has also been overhauled, now split between White List Bonds (family, friends, allies) and Black List Bonds (people with unfinished business, grudges, or blood debts).
These additions create fertile ground for memorable Scenes—moments where Badasses can catch their breath, heal old wounds, or, more often, watch new complications land on their plate at the worst possible time.
The art and layout of Dirt City Blues are in the expert hands of Daniel Comerci, whose work you may recognize from Broken Tales and many of our other titles. Daniel has also lent his distinctive style to international hits like Primal, Kult: Divinity Lost, Bushido, Aeon Trespass: Odyssey, Shadowrun, and more.
Dirt City Digital (19€) Get the Core Book and The Folder in PDF, including all relevant Stretch Goals. Plus, complimentary copies on DriveThruRPG.
Dirt City Core (37€) A copy of the hardcover Core Book + PDF version, all book-relatedStretch Goals, and DriveThruRPG access. No frills. All firepower.
Dirt City Deluxe Slipcase (49€) Get the hardcover Core Book, The Folder (physical + PDF), and a Deluxe Slipcase with alternate cover art. Includes all unlocked Stretch Goals and your complimentary DriveThruRPG copies.
Dirt City Deluxe Bullets (65€) Everything in the Deluxe Slipcase (Core Book + Folder included), plus the Bullet Dice Set—because being cool beats being rich. DriveThruRPG access included, of course.
Dirt City All In (85€) The Deluxe Slipcase edition (Core Book + Folder included), Bullet Dice, Dry-Erase Map, and a printed Quickstart booklet with a sexy soft-touch cover. All the style, all the gear, all the grit. Naturally, includes DriveThruRPG copies of everything.
You can mix and match your pledge with Add-Ons to customize your haul. Want a printed Quickstart? Toss it in. Need more dice? Of course you do—we’ve got you covered. Every euro you contribute helps unlock Stretch Goals, so even your extras count.
Note: All physical add-ons will ship together with your main reward to ensure the best possible shipping rate. Digital add-ons will be delivered once Pledge Manager orders are locked. If you’re looking for something already available and want it now, grab it from our store.
An extra copy of the Deluxe Slipcase, featuring the hardcover Core Book and The Folder. Because sometimes one just isn’t enough.
An additional hardcover copy of the Core Book. Perfect for keeping your other Core Book safe from sticky fingers and spilled drinks, or as a present to your worst enemy.
A set of 12 custom dice (approx size 16 × 14 × 30 mm):
6 Standard
3 Advantage
3 Drawback
Because dice are like bullets: you never want to run out.
A full-color, dry-erase map of Dirt City. Stick it on your wall like you’re solving a murder, or just use it at the table like a reasonable human. Includes a marker.
A printed copy of the Dirt City Blues Quickstart, with a soft-touch cover and the exclusive Problem Maldita Pasión. Slick, stylish, and deadly.
Digital version of The Folder, featuring Living and dying in Fort Reagan, Sparkling Hill +most of the Stretch Goals unlocked during the campaign. (For full details, see the Deluxe Slipcase description.)
You can also expand your collection with items from our previous games, including the complete Broken Tales series, the entire Dead Air: Seasons series, the entire Valraven: Chronicles of Blood and Iron series and our upcoming title Bitter Chalice (see FAQ for more details).
As international distribution keeps getting harder, backing now is your only guaranteed chance of getting your hands on a copy of Dirt City Blues (in any shape or form)or any other exclusive item.
Stretch Goals are free for you.
As work progresses, you'll receive previews and WIP documents.
With additional funding and community participation, we will be able to invest more in the whole Dirt City Blues production.
We believe in real art and illustrations made by artists with a clear vision–but it takes time and money to get it right. Your funds will also allow us to commission more handmade art.
By contributing now, you can help a team of dedicated indie developers who have consistently delivered (3 ENNIEs nominations in the last three years for: Best Adventure, Best Setting and Product of the Year).
We expect to begin shipping physical rewards in the summer of 2026. Digital files are expected to be ready quite a bit earlier, and you will receive previews as soon as we have something to show. While hiccups are inevitable, much of the content has already been written, and the remaining work will concentrate on completing unlocked Stretch Goals, editing, translation, layout, additional illustrations, and production. The amount of Stretch Goals unlocked usually has an impact on delivery times, but things should be manageable either way.
Shipping
All prices include VAT, and packages will ship from our Italian and UK hubs. Import thresholds and regulations vary by country. While most backers won’t face additional charges, please note that any customs duties are your responsibility.
For U.S. backers: this may include potential tariffs, depending on whether current trade policies remain in effect at the time of shipping (see FAQ for more details).
Shipping costs will be charged separately after the campaign, once you’ve completed your survey in the Pledge Manager, allowing us to provide the most accurate and up-to-date rates.
PLEASE NOTE: Accurately forecasting shipping costs has become increasingly difficult in recent years. Variables like package weight and size, freight rate fluctuations, fuel prices, and carrier availability often mean we only learn the true cost once shipping is underway. We know this isn’t ideal—especially in crowdfunding. The reality is, we frequently end up subsidizing part of the shipping cost ourselves, no matter what you’re charged. We’re sharing this upfront because we believe in being transparent from day one. We’ve been burned before, particularly when shipping to remote locations. Please check the list of countries we don’t ship to before pledging, just to be safe. The prices listed below are our best estimates at the time of writing. We’ll do everything we can to stick to them—or even improve them—but we can’t guarantee conditions won’t change before fulfillment. To ensure your rewards arrive safely, we’re working with reliable, experienced logistics partners who know how to handle premium game shipments.
The prices listed below should cover parcels containing a copy of the slipcase, dice and map, and include VAT, freight forwarding fees, hub distribution, packaging, and support. The final weight will be determined by the Stretch Goals unlocked and number of items in your order. Keep in mind that as the weight increases, the price may slightly rise too. Packages will be tracked. If something is damaged during transport and it’s clearly not your fault, we’ll replace it for free.
Our current estimates, based on mid 2025 prices, are:
~ 25€* US, Canada (*Please Check the FAQ about tariffs)
~ 50€ Alaska/Hawaii
South America
~ 35€-39€
Rest of the World:
~ 24€ Hong Kong
~ 28€ Singapore ~ 33€ Japan
~ 33€ Australia
~ 34€ - Taiwan ~ 39€ New Zealand
~ 42€ Philippines
Anywhere else not listed above:
~ 99€+, most likely untracked, choose at your own risk (check exceptions below).
If you live in a country that falls into the "Anywhere else" category, we recommend that you rely on digital rewards. Unfortunately, shipping packages across certain borders at reasonable prices is no longer possible. We'll do our best to get you your game, but keep in mind that parcels may go untracked and, once sent, are out of our hands.
If you live in Puerto Rico, remember that for shipping purposes it is not considered as part of the USA. Customs duties and taxes are always your responsibility, particularly in South American destinations where customs is notoriously ruthless.
Due to local complications, WE DO NOT SHIPto Africa, Brazil, China, Israel, Ukraine, Belarus, Russia, or any of the countries listed below.
Additional places where we do not ship to:
Anguilla, Antarctica, Barbados, Belize, Bouvet Island, Brunei, Cocos Islands, Cook Islands, Cuba, Côte d’Ivorie, French Polynesia, French Southern Territories, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Haiti, Heard Islands and McDonald Islands, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Montserrat, Niue, Papua New Guinea, Saint Martin, Sao Tome and Principe, Solomon Islands., Syria, Tajikistan, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Virgin Islands
We did our best, but the list may not include all of the locations where we are unable to ship. If you are unsure, please contact us. We can always ask for a quote.
Dirt City Blues was created by the same production team that brought you Broken Tales, The Broken Ones, Broken Tales: Lost Stories, Dead Air: Seasons and Valraven: The Chronicles of Blood and Iron. The lead designer of Dirt City Blues is Raffaele Vota—one of the Great Ancients of the Italian game design scene, with the scars (and stories) to prove it. You can find his itch.io page HERE.
Tommaso De Benetti and Luca Vanin from The World Anvil Publishing are in charge of creative direction and operations respectively, with Daniel Comerci (Broken Tales, Dead Air: Seasons, Primal, Kult: Divinity Lost and more) in charge of graphic design and illustrations. Sean Newton is our English editor.
Together, this team has worked on a ton of successful TTRPG books and board games, both in Italian and English.
Dirt City Blues is our eight crowdfunding project. It’s a bit more compact than some of our previous campaigns, an intentional choice to stay lean and make the most of our time and resources.
Long-time backers (and yes, we’ve got a few who’ve supported every single project) know us for our clear communication, regular updates, and timely delivery of previews and work-in-progress material.
When delays have happened, they’ve been in service of making the final product even better. We listen to feedback, we tweak, we polish. And so far, the consensus has been clear: it’s always been worth the wait.
We’ve been in the game, one way or another, for over ten years, and in that time we’ve learned a lot about design, manufacturing, printing, and fulfillment. Just as the chaos of global supply chain disruptions began to settle, new, arbitrary tariffs (courtesy of you-know-who) have started to impact production costs, shipping rates, and delivery timelines.
We’re doing everything we can to minimize the fallout, but even our grit has its limits.
We’re also working closely with our community and a native-language editor to ensure a top-tier translation. And while we’re optimistic about the timeline, we’re being intentionally cautious with our delivery estimates, especially if unlocked Stretch Goals expand the scope of the project. It’s happened before, and odds are it’ll happen again.
That said, our commitment hasn’t changed: We’ll do everything in our power to deliver the best possible game, as soon as we possibly can. That’s a promise.
The short version? You’ll have two weeks after the campaign ends to change your mind.
That said, if you’re planning to pledge just to cancel later, please reconsider. It puts our Stretch Goals at risk, we can't refund payment processor and platform expenses under any circumstances, and it also makes planning much harder for everyone.
