Welcome back to another week of StartPlaying tabletop game news! There are some grim tidings alongside the usual game announcements this time around as a key force in the TTRPG news community is no longer employed.  

This week: content farm Valnet purchased gaming site Polygon causing layoffs, Roll20 began integrating Demiplane, a new Deathmatch Island expansion released, and Pathfinder put out an Asian Fantasy Humble Bundle.

Polygon Purchased By Valnet 

The Valnet Group, owner of many entertainment media outlets like Screen Rant, Game Rant, and Comic Book Resources, acquired gaming website Polygon. The acquisition was announced yesterday along with several layoffs of Polygon staff. Several writers and even the site’s founder posted on social media that they were no longer employed, as did Charlie Hall. Hall oversaw and was personally responsible for much of Polygon’s tabletop content. Given Valnet’s handling of the previously mentioned sites, it’s likely that Polygon’s tabletop coverage will disappear or be reduced to click farm-style content.  

Roll20 Demiplane Integration Goes Into Beta

The public beta for Roll20’s Demiplane integration is live now, bringing big features to both platforms. The beta allows users to link their Demiplane character sheets to Roll20 campaigns. Users can also share purchased content between the two with Roll20 subscribers even getting access to Demiplane subscription perks. According to an EN World report, six game systems Demiplane sheets are available for the beta: Alien RPG, Candela Obscura, Cyberpunk RED, Marvel Multiverse RPG, Pathfinder 2e, Vampire the Masquerade 5e.  

Deathmatch Island Hits Nine More Islands In $10 Expansion

The battle royale TTRPG Deathmatch Island now has nine more maps to serve as game settings. These environments are collected in Deathmatch Island: New Horizons, a $10 digital expansion now available through Evil Hat Productions. The maps introduce new scenarios, such as a romance-themed Love Island parody and an abandoned luxury resort. It’s a nicely priced collection that goes a long way in adding longevity to Deathmatch Island’s gameplay.

Pathfinder Humble Bundle Celebrates Asian Fantasy 

Paizo is once again bringing a solid collection to Humble Bundle. The Pathfinder Second Edition Asian Fantasy Bundle includes many setting books and adventure paths set in the Tan Xia region of Golarion. There’s also digital versions of a Monster Core and several Pathfinder Flip-Mats included. Those who buy the bundle at the highest tier get a physical Pathfinder Player Core Sketch Cover variant. The bundle supports Stop AAPI Hate.

With that more uplifting news, we bring this week’s roundup to a close. We hope the displaced Polygon staff land somewhere else quickly. And to our dear readers, may your dice be kind! 

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‍Sergio Sólorzano is the best Dungeon Master in the USA (according to a Wizards of the Coast competition, anyway). He loves minis and terrain but also goes all-in on improv!