DARK REACH: The Roleplaying Game

Welcome to the Dark Reach

What is Dark Reach RPG?

Dark Reach is a narrative-focused science-fiction roleplaying game about a starship crew venturing beyond civilised space. Together, the players create and inhabit every crew member onboard, from the captain to a janitor robot. They are pioneers, journeying bravely into the depths of the largely unknown vast stretch of space known as 'The Reach'. The crew will discover uncharted systems, encounter strange species, blaze new jump routes, take on dangerous jobs for fugitive criminals and decide what their crew is willing to risk for survival, discovery and fortune.

The game uses a simple 2d6-based system built around a small number of easy-to-grasp mechanics. The same rules govern exploration, social encounters, personal combat and battles between starships, so there are no separate mini-games to learn whenever the action changes. Characters are described through evocative Statements (Flies by the Seat of Their Pants, Happiest in a Junk Pile etc.) rather than long lists of skills, allowing a glance at the character sheet to tell you who someone is, what they are good at and where their complications lie.

Dark Reach places the emphasis on story, meaningful choices and emergent play. Adventures (called Episodes) are shaped by the decisions of the Crew rather than a predetermined sequence of events. During Session Zero, the players help create rumours that hint at unexplored worlds, alien treasure troves, mysterious factions, strange species and a myriad of other story seeds, filling the campaign map with possibilities that can develop naturally through play. Your version of the Dark Reach belongs to YOUR group: your lore supercedes any example species, worlds, starships etc given in the Core books, giving the Guide (GM) plenty of mysteries, dangers and consequences to introduce.

Its atmosphere draws upon the rip-roaring science-fiction television, animation and adventure stories rooted in the late 1970s and early 1980s: colourful alien worlds, eccentric robots, model-built starships, CRT monitors, VHS tapes, mysterious cosmic phenomena and crews held together by equal measures of loyalty, necessity and luck. It is a game of daring expeditions and strange discoveries. Most importantly though, it's about the people aboard the ship—and the stories they create together while traveling through the Dark Reach.

Reward Tiers

Stretch Goals

Meet the Team

Production Timeline

We are allowing eight months from the end of the campaign in October to physical fulfillment. This schedule includes time for development, play-testing, proofing and print production, with regular Kickstarter updates keeping backers informed throughout.

Month 1 — November: Campaign Administration
Finalise backer numbers, reward quantities, stretch goals and the complete production schedule.

Month 2 — December: Writing and Development
Complete the remaining manuscript material and incorporate unlocked stretch-goal content.

Month 3 — January: Playtesting and Revision
Conduct final playtesting, refine the rules and revise the manuscript using player feedback.

Month 4 — February: Editing and Illustration
Complete editing, proofreading and any remaining artwork required for the books and rewards.

Month 5 — March: Layout and Pre-Press
Finish the layout of all books, cards, maps and other printed components, followed by a full pre-press check.

Month 6 — April: Proof Copies
Order and examine physical proofs, make any necessary corrections and approve the final files for manufacture.

Month 7 — May: Printing and Production
The books and physical rewards enter production. Digital rewards will be prepared for distribution.

Month 8 — June: Fulfilment
Digital rewards will be released, while physical rewards are packed and posted to backers.

Our intention is to fulfill sooner wherever possible, but this schedule gives us enough room to ensure that everything reaches backers in the condition and quality it deserves.

Shipping

Digital and Physical Fulfilment

Digital rewards will be delivered through DriveThruRPG, giving backers a convenient and reliable way to download their files and access any corrected or updated versions released in the future.

The Spellbound Inc. team will oversee the packing and posting of all printed books and physical rewards inhouse. Every package will be checked before dispatch, and backers will receive regular updates as printing, packing and fulfillment progress.