It might not be Star Wars content, but in this case we don’t care; our RPG Editor Jonathan Hicks releases his first original RPG this November through Osprey Games – Those Dark Places: Industrial Science Fiction Roleplaying, based in part on his 2007 short story collection.
Inspired by the aesthetic of iconic science-fiction thrillers such as Ridley Scott’s Alien and the Dead Space video games, this highly thematic RPG thrusts players into deep space; a grim, dark, claustrophobic setting that constantly hints at danger. A sleek ruleset keeps players focused on the story as they venture into shadowy corners of space that no-one has ever explored and face the unknown.
“I’ve written various articles, reviews, and interviews for the RPG industry for more than a decade, so of course I jumped at the chance to write a full game about my favourite genre,” commented author Jonathan Hicks, “I’ve always leaned towards rules-light systems so that the story takes precedence and the atmosphere is allowed to flourish. With Those Dark Places I hope gaming groups can take the simple rules and the evocative setting, run with it, and create their own stories of horrors in the stars… whether real or imagined. With Nathan Anderson’s wonderful artwork and Osprey Games’ excellent production values, I’m excited to see this come alive!”
Senior Games Developer, Filip Falk Hartelius, added that “Those Dark Places is a game dripping with atmosphere, capturing the frailty of human existence amidst the uncaring vastness of spaces. Whether you are deep in the political intrigues of a dystopian future or facing terrifying cosmic horror, Those Dark Places is constantly gripping, tense, and transporting.”
Space is a hell of a thing but you need to be sure that this is what you want. Like, what you really want. The idea of space exploration to further the frontiers of mankind is noble, but let’s not kid ourselves – it’s really all about furthering the profit margins. There’s money to be made and out there is the place to make it, but you hear all kinds of stories… equipment malfunctions, strange discoveries, crewmembers going insane… You’ll be out there in the reaches, alone, for months or years, breathing recycled air and drinking recycled water, with nothing but a few feet of metal and shielding between you and certain death.
Are you sure this is what you want?
– Crew Orientation Briefing
Those Dark Places is a rules-light, story-focused roleplaying game about the darker side of space exploration and the people who travel the stars in claustrophobic, dangerous conditions. Starships, stations, and outposts aren’t havens of safety with clean, brightly lit corridors – they’re potential deathtraps, funded by budget-conscious corporate interests and running on stale, recycled air and water. The stars may be the future of humanity, but they are also home to horrors and terror the human mind cannot comprehend.
