Fate is a unique TTRPG (Tabletop Role Playing Game) that features no setting at its core. It uses special dice, and a thing called aspects to help players enjoy the game. It has a number of setting books like Umdaar (strange fantasy) and Tachyon Squadron (militaristic sci-fi). But its most popular setting is, by far, The Dresden Files. But you don’t need these settings to play; the rules allow for stories to be told across any setting. Fate is highly regarded by a lot of game designers. If you’re interested in playing a game using Fate here are the top 5 places to find a game.
1. Play NOW with StartPlaying Games
StartPlaying Games is a wonderful first choice to find a Fate game. Games are always being run by GM’s who love the system. It is easy to search for games and the time barrier to find a game is usually immediate and typically speaking you will find and start with a group rather quickly. StartPlaying offers a marketplace for players to find GMs and the games are free or paid. StartPlaying’s search functions allow players to look for game times and or game systems, greatly lowering the 2 largest barriers to finding a game. Once you find a game you can typically expect consistency. The world settings used in Fate Games on StartPlaying Games are varied as well. Take a look today!
2. RPG Match
RPG Match features a search that matches what players are looking for with GM’s that offer that game. In looking at the RPG Match for Fate there were a large number of GM’s who like to and can run fate games. GM’s there are not rated for consistency and you have to contact the GM to get a game started and hope they have one at a convenient time. Their newly installed Group Feature allows listings by time. Games on RPG Match can be paid or free games as well.
Roll20 Forums
Roll20 is well known in the TTRPG space and is a massive Virtual Tabletop. It offers a large swath of games available. It also includes a game finder which is actually very nice for the player, but is not so friendly to GM’s. GM’s are reluctant to list games as a result. The forums are the easiest way to look up games. Roll20 features access to the complete Fate library. Roll is a great way to find and play in an online game.
4. Join the Subreddit
Reddit is a popular social news aggregation, internet forum, and discussion website where users submit content (links, text posts, images) to be voted up or down by other users, and it is organized into communities called "subreddits". Subreddits are often hit or miss when it comes to Looking For Group posts. Some mods feel these posts are spam and point to r/lfg or r/lfgmisc. Fate’s subreddit r/FateRPG doesn’t just have a robust group of fans discussing rules; they also allow LFG posts and crosspost from the other subreddits.
5. Find the Discord
Discord is always a solid go to choice for RPG’s. Initially, its main role was for video games. Its ability to be one part discussion forum and one part video audio call platform gives it fantastic versatility. Fate has an official discord with an equally supported LFG channel. There you can make postings and read postings. Additionally, Fate is supported by Bots on discord.
Honorable Mention
I want to give honorable mention to Facebook which boasts two active groups currently. One called Fate Core / Accelerated RPG and the other Fate Community. Also RPG.net and ENworld can be excellent resources with lots of helpful and willing posters in both forums.
Finally, At times it can feel intimidating to start a new venture with an indie game. And it can feel overwhelming knowing where to get started. The best advice I can give is try the lowest barrier to entry first StartPlaying Games. Its search and match functions make finding games relatively easy.
Adam McDivitt is a father of 3 boys, professional GM, and a full time therapist. His love of D&D was reignited when his son asked him to help with a game 4 years ago. Since then he has learned a number of new systems and fell in love with TTRPG systems outside of 5e. Follow him on bluesky gmadam.bsky.social he posts there sometimes.
