This RPG won Four ENNIE Awards. Why?

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Join me, Baron de Ropp, as we delve into what makes Shadowdark the RPG so beloved by both players and critics. After its clean sweep at the 2024 ENNIE Awards, everyone is talking about its old-school charm and modern accessibility. In this video, we'll explore the game's streamlined mechanics, concise rules, and unique features like the torch timer. Plus, don't miss the announcement of the 2024 Weird Tales Shadowdark Game Jam, where you can design your own adventures and win exciting prizes. Links to Shadowdark and the game jam are in the description. Enjoy and happy adventuring!

[saken]

I love how so many of these indie games actually take the time to make life easier on the GAME MASTER rather than just have a bunch of shiny things for the players.

[Redfield]

I love that you just get right to the point. No bloat, no lame attempts at comedy, no overproduced skits. All killer, no filler. Thank you.

[TheFatalT]

Well deserved awards. Shadowdark brought back my love of drawing dungeon maps and stocking them full of nastiness for hapless PCs to encounter. Such a simple and fun system that doesn’t require constant paging through the rulebook to find anything I might need.

[KristerPersson]

Writing short is much harder than long, so kudos to Kelsey! Very well done! And congrats on the Ennies!

[langwaters]

Well deserved awards, congrats Kelsey and thanks for the video! It's a great game. I've been playing DnD since 1979 and I have plenty to say about every edition but my favorite thing to say about Shadowdark is that it makes me love the game again the way I did when I first began. I have more energy now for the hobby than I've had in many years.

[RPGTherapist]

I got the limited edition of Shadowdark, and it's one of those books I can't help but take off the shelf every now and then, just to bask in its beauty. There's such a telling difference between those creators who love their craft and want to share it with the world, and the cheap-as-possible approach from the more corporate producers. Shadowdark deserved every win, and Kelsey is such a class act. Well done to her 👏👏👏

[TonyCrenshawsLatte]

Shadowdark and Dragonbane are two of the greatest additions to my fantasy TRPG library.

[Fearior]

I wish this book was accessible in Europe! Shipping of ~30usd is a killer.

[ToddPutnam]

Well earned for all four Gold Ennies. Everything you need to run a campaign but without sorting through tons of pointless paragraphs. Easy to learn. Simple to GM. Fast combat. Fun sessions. Familiar Old School feel but modern mechanics. We switched from 5E last year when I got a review copy and I will never go back to 5E. Sold all my books. DnDone.

[jeffwhittingham]

IMO, the best rule in Shadowdark is the "always on" initiative system. It doesn't look like much, but it's a gem.

In a time when many new games are ditching initiative all together, my first take was that it was a dated mechanic and would just get in the way. I was totally wrong. It plays wonderfully. It has two net positive effects on the game - one, it prevents one player from monopolizing the table because no one person can ever get more than a short period of time in the spotlight; two, it keeps the game moving. That second point, particularly as a GM, is massive. Pacing is sometimes very hard to get right, particularly if you have a group of players that overthink things. Always on initiative helps so much with this.

To really appreciate this rule, you have to experience it.

[deadlyDM]

Absolutely in love with this game right now. I've set my other campaigns aside to focus on Shadowdark. Why? Because my players are having more fun with this than the other campaigns. More fun than we've had in a long time in fact. It works well at my table, and that's what matters most for me as a referee. I hope to see the Arcane Library keep supplementing the game thru Cursed Scroll, and other books. There is some very good 3rd party material out there as well. Exciting to see the ENNIES wins as it will attract even more players for the game. Congratulations and well deserved!

[christopherdaurio]

And don't forget!
That free Shadowdark rules pdf also as a WHOLE ADVENTURE at the end of it - so you can try the game in a whole pre-made dungeon before deciding you want to buy.

And for those of you thinking of running this free adventure (The Citadel of the Scarlet Minotaur),
the creator of Shadowdark has a whole Adventure Walkthrough for it on her YouTube channel (The Arcane Library) - where she goes through the entirety of it

[themaninblack]

The reason I like Shadowdark is how easy it is to read. Many RPGs read like a textbook. I don't get bored reading SD.

[queenannsrevenge]

5:05 - “…for players who study monster lore the way they should have studied for their college exams.”

I feel called out. 😄

[patrickk]

Ran shadow dark last night for two of my buddies ver fun. The free start guide is excellent has a dungeon built into the gm guide.

[dplay]

Great video Baron. ShadowDark is my favorite current game system. I have played many of the adventures (most on my YouTube) and I always enjoy coming back for more. I highly recommend trying it to all players young and old from novice to veteran.

[auratheva]

I was one of those people who didn't really GET the hype around Shadowdark, not really being into old school gaming in general. After trying out a ton of systems I can really appreciate this book's concision and friendliness to new players

[tjduck]

The game is not quite my thing but I do highly respect Kelsey Dionne and her design of this game.

[jamescattaneo]

The two greatest rules I steel from this game is the torched and encumbrance. I love the encumbrance. It make the characters choose all the time what they are going to carry.

[syrupchugger]

This looks really cool. Thank you for the summary. I'm wanting a simplified and fun version of dnd and this looks great