Two of Spectrum Games' product lines are represented in DTRPG's "Creature Feature" Sale.

• MACABRE TALES is the dominoes-based Lovecraftian RPG that focuses solely on the works penned by HPL himself.

• STORIES FROM THE GRAVE is the horror RPG that faithfully emulates anthology movies, TV shows and comicbooks.

Click here for the spooky savings...

Ready for another Downtrodden snippet?

This one presents the thoughts of someone who was forced into the Do-Over program. What would that do to a person? How would it shape them as people? In what ways would it mentally torment them? Would it cause them to lose their will to fight or would it make them more resolved than ever to destroy the PatriarQy? These are the kinds of things that can be explored in Downtrodden when it's released in January 2023.

The disturbingly beautiful art is by Nolan Segrest.
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​This amazing illustration from Downtrodden by Nolan Segrest depicts one of many protests that have occurred since the passing of the Traditional Values Act.

I feel this is an important illustration, as it shows that many men are vehemently opposed to the new laws and are willing to fight tooth and nail to have sanity restored to the United States. Downtrodden isn't an "anti-male" game... it's an "anti-Patriarchy" game. Big difference.

While I'm here, I want to take this time to give a massive shoutout to Nolan for everything he is doing to convey the horrific, stifling tone of Downtrodden's setting.

Art is an integral part of any tabletop RPG rulebook, as it sets the tone and gives the reader an immediate idea of what the game is about. Without Nolan's art, I don't think Downtrodden would be nearly as compelling as it is (yes, my bias is showing).

I simply cannot wait until the game is available to the masses so you can all see exactly how his art makes it far more memorable and impacting than it otherwise would have been.

He is, simply put, a rockstar.
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​I just want to state, for the record, that my upcoming game, Downtrodden is anti-Patriarchy. Full stop.

Many folks have (understandably) voiced their concerns that the alt-right will see the game as a how-to guide or a source of inspiration for subjugating women and the LGBTQ community. That's a fair concern, to be honest and it makes me proud that my friends, fans and industry peers are on the lookout for such things.

As I've mentioned, Downtrodden is a cautionary tale that reflects the bottom end of the slippery slope that the United States now stands at the top of. It represents an extension of what we've been experiencing, what with Roe v. Wade being demolished, the Don't-Say-Gay issue coming into play, the public bathroom debacle becoming a thing for trans folks' safety and so on.

Right now, we *need* cautionary tales; something to open people's eyes about what all this could lead to if something isn't done. As a staunch egalitarian, having any semblance of a voice to create a cautionary tale is important to me.

Yes, the game's setting is disturbing and, yes, seeing the details of it can make one uncomfortable. That's the point. I want to shake people from their doldrums, make them see where we're heading and make them aware. Cautionary tales *are* disturbing. They *are* uncomfortable. But they rather *have* to be.

Right now, all folks are able to see are the snippets I've been sharing online and I can absolutely see why individuals might think that the game might glorify patriarchy. Believe me when I say that the Downtrodden rulebook will make it abundantly clear that the PatriarQs and their supporters are very much The Bad Guys. There's no wiggle room, there's no ambiguity and there's certainly no "matter of interpretation" to it.

If any of the alt-right folks read the game's rulebook (even if only a quick perusal of it), they'll certainly find themselves in unfriendly territory. They'll find that we're painting them to be exactly what they are: villains.

I also need to address the fetishistic nature of some of the laws in the United States of this game world. Those elements are there. There's no denying it. But they're present by design. Here's why. Throughout history, whenever a society is totally dominated by one specific class, their sexual excesses tend to come to the forefront. Look at the Roman empire! This was the pattern I sought to bring to light in Downtrodden. Many of the lawmakers have these sexual fantasies and used the Traditional Values Act to turn those fetishes into law. The women have to wear high heels and other clothes that men often find attractive, women can be placed into the Do-Over program, effectively forcing them to become adult babies and so forth. These aspects are in place and it's no accident. I feel it adds to the realism and harkens back to the past. Moreover, it makes the PatriarQs all the more deplorable as villains.

While I'm rambling, I also want to state that while the game is assuredly anti-Patriarchy, it's not anti-male. Most of the men in the setting are against the laws that remove the rights from women and LGBTQ folks. The laws came into effect due to fear-mongering and manipulation of economic tragedy and of the system.

I hope this helps clear some things up.

It's time for another Downtrodden snippet. This time, we get a glimpse at a buyer's review of a rather insidious article of clothing. The art is by the amazing Nolan Segrest!

For those who don't know, Downtrodden is our upcoming tabletop roleplaying game of personal horror, set in an alternate America in which women and the LGBTQ community have been stripped of most of their rights. Fight the PatriarQy!
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It's Spectrum Games' "Larger-Than-Life Heroes" Sale! From superheroes and cartoon protagonists to starship captains and radio detectives, this PDF sale has you covered. These games are perfect for emulation and for playing iconic heroes!

Core rulebooks and supplements for the following game lines are represented!:

• Cartoon Action Hour: Season 3 (1980s action cartoon RPG)
• BIFF! BAM! KAPOW! (1960s superhero TV show RPG)
• Capes, Cowls & Villains Foul (comicbook superhero RPG)
• Retrostar (1970s sci-fi TV show RPG)
• On the Air (Old Time Radio RPG)

Click here and scroll down for the sale!

Here's a new snippet for Downtrodden, our upcoming roleplaying game set in an alternate version of our world, but one in which women and LGBTQ folks have lost most of their rights in the United States. This game shows us the terrifying possibilities of where the slippery slope we are currently on might lead.
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This is the second snippet featuring the defiant written comments made by a member of the resistance. Who is this person? Do they play a larger role in the fight to restore sanity to the nation? Time will tell.

These two snippets give some details about task resolution, along with some examples.

I was recently the guest on the Wizards & Wobblies podcast, where we discussed Downtrodden. I revealed a bit more about the game setting's background too. Check it out.

All of Spectrum Games' non-horror PDF titles are part of DTRPG's massive "Christmas in July" sale, so if you want games that faithfully emulates various genres, come take a look at what we have to offer.

• Cartoon Action Hour: Season 3 (1980s action cartoons)
• BIFF! BAM! KAPOW! (1960s superhero TV shows)
• Urban Manhunt (1980s dark future sci-fi — miniatures game)
• On the Air (Old Time Radio)
• Capes, Cowls & Villains Foul (superhero comics)
• Retrostar (1970s sci-fi television shows)
• The Big Crime (film noir)

Click here to check it out!