Lightspress Manifesto: March 16 2023
Lightspress Manifesto: March 16 2023
The Official Newsletter with new releases, sales, and more!
Here's the Scoop:
The Realities of Print-on-Demand
30% off DoubleZero: Action Figures – a military adventure setting toolkit
30% off DoubleZero: Greed – a modern adventure toolkit
A Dark Academia Reading List
30% off Soldiers – a system-neutral fantasy character toolkit
30% off Quests – a system-neutral fantasy character toolkit
Coming Soon, upcoming releases for DoubleZero and Foragers Guild.
Realities of Print-On-Demand
Alright folks, listen up. I gotta be real with you about something. Last year, I made a mad dash to have everything available as print-on-demand on DriveThruRPG. And let me tell you, it was a damn disaster.
Sales did not validate that effort. In terms of opportunity cost, I lost money. Yeah, that's right. I lost money. And let me tell you, that's not a good feeling. I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into making those print-on-demand products available, and what did I get in return? Nada. Zip. Zilch.
And it's not just about the money. I was also unhappy with the quality, for various reasons that shall be left unspoken. Let's just say that I expected better, and I didn't get it.
Now, I know some of you might be thinking, "Berin, why don't you just switch to Amazon print-on-demand? Their quality is better, right?" And yeah, that might be true. But here's the thing: prices are higher and my cut is lower. I'd make around 40 cents on a $15 hardcover. Yeah, you heard that right. 40 damn cents. That's not gonna pay the bills, folks.
So for the moment, I'm sticking to digital editions. It might not be as sexy or glamorous as having a physical copy in your hands, but at least it's affordable and accessible. And that's what matters most to me.
Now, I know some of you might be wondering, "But Berin, what about future print-on-demand products? Are you gonna give up on that dream?" And to that, I say, "Not necessarily." If I make anything print-on-demand through some venue, it's gonna be the real deal. It's gonna be a hypothetical DoubleZero v3.3, Foragers Manifesto 1.1, and Guildmasters Manifesto 1.1. Full stop.
So there you have it, folks. The truth about my print-on-demand misadventures. It might not be pretty, but it's real. And that's all I can offer you.
DoubleZero: Action Figures
A military adventure setting toolkit for DoubleZero: Modern Roleplaying
Captain Jennifer "Highway" King gazed out of the helicopter's open door at the sprawling city below. She and her team had been called in to extract a high-value target from the heart of the war-torn metropolis. The intelligence they had received suggested that a rogue paramilitary faction was planning a devastating attack on the city, and the target they were after had critical information that could prevent it. As the chopper touched down on the rooftop of the skyscraper where the target was believed to be hiding, Highway felt a rush of adrenaline. She knew that this was going to be their toughest mission yet, but failure was not an option. With a deep breath, she signaled to her team to move out, ready to face whatever dangers lay ahead.
DoubleZero: Action Figures is a military adventure setting toolkit. The genre combines elements of military fiction, action, and adventure, often with a touch of science fiction or fantasy. It is characterized by high-stakes conflicts, larger-than-life heroes and villains, and thrilling action sequences. These stories often have a strong focus on technology, weapons, and tactics, and on the relationships between the characters. The setting can include a variety of factions, each with their own strengths, weaknesses, and motivations. Players take on the roles of elite soldiers, spies, or special forces operatives, tasked with completing dangerous missions and taking on powerful enemies.
DoubleZero: Greed
An adventure toolkit for DoubleZero: Modern Roleplaying
As the sun set behind the sprawling mansion, the guests of the extravagant party began to let loose, indulging in every vice imaginable. The pool overflowed with champagne as bikini-clad women and shirtless men danced on the patio, while inside, a group of socialites snorted lines of cocaine off of a marble table. The sound of revving engines could be heard as a group of wealthy businessmen raced their sports cars around the estate, narrowly avoiding crashing into the ornate statues and fountains. In the center of it all, the host, a millionaire with a taste for the finer things in life, laughed maniacally as he poured gold flakes into his glass of whiskey, reveling in his excess and the adoration of his guests.
A greed-centered adventure focuses on extreme and behavior, in the context of wealth and luxury. These stories feature characters consumed by their desire for more, and who engage in reckless, sometimes dangerous behavior in pursuit of their desires. To create a setting based on greed, the guide could establish a world in which the wealthiest individuals hold all the power, and the players could take on the roles of up-and-coming social climbers willing to do whatever it takes to achieve their goals. The setting could center around parties, high-stakes business deals, and other scenarios that emphasize the excess and extravagance of this world, while also exploring the darker side of the characters' actions and the consequences of their greed.
A Dark Academia Reading List
On my other blog, BooksMoviesCoffee, I’ve published a post with some dark academia reads. They were influential to me and could inspire your DoubleZero: Obscura worldbuilding and adventures. Check it out here.
Sales Ending Soon
The following recent releases are still 30% off through this Sunday:
In Case You Missed It
The Benefits of Simple Mechanics: Light-yet-versatile systems, ironically, have more to offer.
Coming Soon
These are the releases scheduled for the next few weeks. Release dates are subject to change.
March 21: Dark Fantasy – a system-neutral fantasy setting toolkit
March 23: Blood Clans – a system-neutral fantasy faction toolkit
March 28: DoubleZero: Piledriver – a professional wrestling setting toolkit
March 30: 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 March 30th edition of this newsletter, I’ll announce what’s coming in April, and 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.