Lightspress Manifesto: 9 March 2023

New releases, GM's Day sale, and what's coming next!

Mar 9

Here's the Scoop:

Op/Ed: Why a Manifesto?
GM’s Day Sale
30% off Soldiers – a system-neutral fantasy character toolkit
30% off Quests – a system-neutral fantasy character toolkit
A Survival Horror Reading List
30% off DoubleZero: Epilogue – a survival horror setting toolkit
30% off DoubleZero: Heist – a modern adventure toolkit
30% off DoubleZero: Obscura – a dark academia setting toolkit
Rebuking James Bond
Coming Soon, the next releases for DoubleZero and Foragers Guild.

Op/Ed: Why a Manifesto?

People have asked why I renamed this newsletter to Lightspress Manifesto. Some think the word is confrontational, too “in your face” for what’s essentially an entertainment business. But this newsletter is not just a typical publisher house organ; it's a declaration of my beliefs and principles about roleplaying, business, creativity, and success. I call it a manifesto because I’m not afraid to challenge the status quo.

Let's define our terms. A manifesto is a public declaration of beliefs, principles, and intentions. It's a statement of purpose and a call to action. It's a way to rally people around a shared vision and inspire them to take action. While people often associate the term with political stances, there have also been many famous art movements that began with manifestos. If you believe that art is politics, or that everything is politics, then there really is no difference.

In calling this newsletter a manifesto, I’m declaring that I’m not just here to promote the brand or sell products. I’m here to share my beliefs and principles about how to publish roleplaying material in a way that aligns with my interests, tastes, and values. I’m defying the status quo and conventional wisdom by insisting that you can do things your own way and still be successful. I believe that success is not just about making money or following a predetermined path. It's about following your passion, using your creativity, and making a positive impact on the world. I am committed to creating content that reflects these values. I’m not just pushing our products; I want to share insights, stories, and ideas that inspire and inform my readers. I’m trying to create content that is valuable, helpful, and entertaining.

But doing things differently can be hard, especially when others are telling you that you're doing it wrong. People might say that you can't earn a living doing what you love, or that your company will never be successful. But I know, after doing that for almost 8 years, that you can do things your own way and still be successful.

I appreciate you, I appreciate your continued support, and most of all, I hope you’re doing well today.

- Berin

GM’s Day Sale

This is the final week for the GM’s Day Sale at DriveThruRPG. Most of our backlist is 15% off through Sunday, March 12. Explore the sale here.

Soldiers: A Foragers Guild Guide

A soldier is a skilled warrior, capable of holding their own in physical combat against a wide range of enemies. They are often heavily armored and armed with weapons that allow them to deal significant amounts of damage to their foes. In a fantasy roleplaying setting, soldiers are commonly utilized as front-line fighters, serving as the primary source of physical offense and defense for a group of adventurers. They are often called upon to take on dangerous foes or protect other party members, making them a vital component of any adventuring party. With their superior physical abilities and combat skills, soldiers are a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield, making them an indispensable asset in any fantasy roleplaying game.

Get your copy here.

Quests: A Foragers Guild Guide

A quest is a journey undertaken by a group of characters with a specific goal in mind. This is related to retrieving an object of great value or defeating a powerful adversary. Quests are used to create a compelling narrative, as they provide a clear objective for the players to pursue and create urgency and danger. Along the way, the player characters may encounter various obstacles and challenges that they must overcome, like mythical creatures or treacherous terrain. These obstacles serve to test the player characters' skills, and result in personal growth and development. Ultimately, the player characters' success or failure in achieving their quest is the driving force behind the plot, making it a powerful storytelling tool.

Get your copy here.

A Survival Horror Reading List

On my other blog, BooksMoviesCoffee, I’ve published a post with some survival horror reads. They were influential to me and could inspire your DoubleZero: Epilogue worldbuilding and adventures. You can read it here.

Sales Ending Soon

The following recent releases are still 30% off through this Sunday, March 12:

DoubleZero: Epilogue – a survival horror setting toolkit
DoubleZero: Heist – a modern adventure toolkit
DoubleZero: Obscura – a dark academia setting toolkit

Rebuking James Bond

In case you missed it, I wrote a piece about the recent announcement that Ian Fleming Publications will be editing the James Bond novels to fit the sensibilities of modern audiences. People have asked my opinion because something something DoubleZero, so here it is.

Coming Soon

These are the releases scheduled for the next few weeks. Exact release dates aren’t given because they’re subject to change.

DoubleZero: Action Figures – a military adventure setting toolkit
DoubleZero: Greed – a modern adventure toolkit
Dark Fantasy – a system-neutral fantasy setting toolkit
Blood Clans – a system-neutral fantasy faction toolkit
DoubleZero: Piledriver – a professional wrestling setting toolkit
DoubleZero: Metamorphosis – a modern adventure setting toolkit

I’m in the process of finalizing the release schedule for the second quarter of 2023 (April, May, and June). In the next week or two, I’ll announce what’s coming in April, and may even be able to provide hard release dates.

Lightspress Media is a tabletop roleplaying company with a lo-fi approach. Utility of content takes precedence over ostentatious production value. Graphic elements should enhance the message of the text, not act as page filler and eye candy. Physical books need to be compact, portable, and sturdy. This minimalist aesthetic results in powerful toolkits both useful and affordable. Tabletop roleplaying isn’t the book. It’s the creativity and collaboration that takes place around the tabletop.