Moonbeam Shines On A New Path For Streaming, Phantasy Star, Sexism In DnD - TTRPG News 7/10/2024

We’re back with another fine edition of tabletop RPG news, presented by StartPlaying! The summer sun definitely touched our humble hobby this week, igniting the fires of online discourse. While tabletop RPG creators came together to support an ambitious new streaming platform, social media users got heated over historical accounts of sexism in DnD. Meanwhile, a Japanese RPG classic is next to get an official TTRPG. 

Live Streaming Platform Moonbeam Hits Crowdfunding With TTRPG Support

A new live streaming platform is stepping up to challenge Twitch, and it has a lot of support from the TTRPG community. Moonbeam is its name and it is now funded in excess on BackerKit. According to the creators, Moonbeam’s goal is to provide a more community-driven streaming space where safety and creator revenue are prioritized. 

This will be achieved via a new moderation tool, community hubs, and 100% revenue for creators. Moonbeam already has early support from tabletop names like Kobold Press, Gamehole Con, Alchemy RPG, BlackwaterDnD, 9th Level Games, Green Ronin Games, and Vancouver by Night. 

Phantasy Star TTRPG Launches In 2025

Classic sci-fi JRPG Phantasy Star is getting the TTRPG treatment from Skydawn Game Studios. According to Comicbook.com, the officially licensed game will have a setting book that expands the lore of the series’ Algol Star System. This is the setting of the original four single-player video games, before the Phantasy Star Online subseries began. 

Fans looking for more information are urged to subscribe to the newsletter before August 15 to receive future early access and reveals. The Phantasy Star TTRPG is set for a 2025 release. 

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Dungeons & Dragons History Book Reignites Gygax Sexism Discourse 

A new book on DnD history–The Making of Original Dungeons & Dragons 1970-1977–has brought back internet arguments over Gary Gygax’s views on women at the table. The book itself is meant to chronicle the making of the original game through preserved notes and even the first draft typed out by Gygax himself. In those very notes are Gygax’s… less than modern views on women and slavery in games. 

Discourse arose when a designer who worked with Gygax during those days called these accounts “slanderous” and accused Wizards of the Coast (who published this new book) of changing the narrative to make itself look better than Gygax. Naturally, this summoned more people to argue all over social media. A spectrum of takes were presented, from Gygax as a man of his time to WotC’s recent handling of the brand to if DnD is even worth playing when someone’s favorite indie game is right there. 

DnD historian Ben Riggs summarized it all with his own comments in this thread. 

And with that rather intense note, we bring this week to a close. Thanks for reading, have fun with your games, and may your dice be kind!