Raptor Ruckus RPG

February Update (Part 1)
4 months ago – Tue, Feb 03, 2026 at 07:00:00 AM

Hello there,

Zac here. A short update, but I'm packing in some exciting previews!

• Kickstarter Survey: Just went out yesterday. It's not the actual survey or Pledge Manager, but answering it will let you have some of the files early and help steer the ship. 
• Pledge Manager: Still not approved. Gamefound's being a bit frustrating to navigate, but we are waiting on their approval. Hopefully I'll have that when I get back, so we can get that up and running next week as well. 
• General Progress: Lots of art and layout done. Tons more art will be flooding in this month! 

Early-Release Files

Still nailing down the final list, but definitely you're going to get access to the core book, solo rules book, hacking and reference cards, all the various character sheet iterations, GM screen, and A Day Off adventure in the next week!

We're going to send them out via DriveThruRPG, so be sure to fill out your survey here on Kickstarter. I'm headed to a show, so it will be on either Monday or Tuesday (Feb. 9th or 10th) when I get back. 

Art Tease

You shouldn't consider any of art this final, but here's a little preview of some of the art and concept art we've been getting:

I'll hit you up once the Pledge Manager is up, likely within a week or two. Until then, you're in the middle of ZineQuest here on Kickstarter! Go back some shit. 

I'll drop some recommendations down below.

TTFN,

Zac G. & Team Raptor

Projects We Love

PIRATE BORG: These Bloody Sails
Will Tramp wrote on Raptor Ruckus: Fragmentation, and now he's got his own project LIVE here on Kickstarter! Go throw money at him: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thiseffingmgames/pirate-borg-these-bloody-sails

The Necromancer of Exetus
Pound for pound, my favorite narrative storyteller-focused writer in the RPG space is David Barrentine. He's the man. He also kills it with layout (hence why we hired him to help with Raptor). He's ALSO doing his own thing for ZineQuest. I've already read Exetus, and I'm telling you to back it: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/world-of-oranth/the-necromancer-of-exetus

PIRATE BORG: The Winds of Hell
Finally finally, here's Winds of Hell. It's my next project, and also Frank, Derrick, David, and Daniel's next project. We also lassoed Richard from Hellspawn, Fen from Limithron, and a few other hardened killers to make this a PIRATE BORG campaign you'll never forget:  https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/epicrpgs/pirate-borg-the-winds-of-hell

December/January Update
5 months ago – Thu, Jan 01, 2026 at 11:25:09 AM

Hello there,

Zac here. I've got some more detailed updates (including some NEW PRODUCT ANNOUNCEMENTS!), plus rapid-fire details on a few other elements. Let's start with the quick stuff:

• More Stretch Goal writers have turned in drafts!
• John's novel has been through multiple rounds of editing and is approved!
• M. Allen Hall is finished with the solo Stretch Goal zine, and it's in editing.
• Derrick has finished up a bunch of accessories.

Pledge Manager

We've opted to go with Gamefound for our pledge manager. Both Brian and I have used them before, and while they're not our default answer, they were extremely enthusiastic about our project, as they've got several other dino-based projects launching over there this month or next. I think there's gonna be a dino-themed mini-event over there!

I was hoping to be a bit further along on that front, but it's taking me longer to build this pledge manager than the typical one. I'm still hoping for having it ready in a week or two. Fingers crossed.

Layout / Artwork

How about I show you some cool shit? We're gonna have the alpha of the core book ready to drop on you, and that will include loads of new artwork. Here's a few screenshots of what's in store with the bestiary:

As you can see, we spared no expense. We're going big and splashy with the art, even if it soaks up a few dozen extra pages. 

Now, we've also been tweaking the GM Screen. Lots of little textures and details. Ignore the yellow, as that part will be folded over and not seen on either side. 

Free RPG Day Adventure!

We decided to go in with Brian's Vast Grimm and do an adventure anthology zine for Free RPG Day 2026. It'll be a zine that has a module for his RPG, Raptor, and probably at least one other game. It'll be a free book available in June at many, many RPG stores across the country. 

The working title of that adventure is Raptor Ruckus: Airborne, and it'll have you starting in a [SPOILER], followed by an action-packed [SPOILER], and wrap up with an extended [SPOILER].

I think I might try and sneak a PDF out to the lot of you for "playtesting", once it's laid out. 

MORE NEW STUFF!

I mean, I thought I'd have a lot to go over with ya this month, but I wasn't expecting all this!

TYRANNOSAUR INSIDE: This T-Rex is monumentally huge. Unrealistically so. It’s so big that your only hope, if you wish to defeat it, is to fight the monster FROM THE INSIDE!

TYRANNOSAUR INSIDE is a Third Party RAPTOR RUCKUS adventure by CM LOWRY, fully reworked to use the Raptor Ruckus System. Find dinosaur dentists inside, herbal tea, bored T-Rex security guards, and the opportunity to go all DINO KAIJU!

This will be available "inside" the Pledge Manager for the first time. 

TIME TABLEZ: Brian has designed something straight out of the 90s for all you nerds. Now, this is just a mock-up (not final), but Shut. The. Front. Door!  

It's a real, working watch, with all the gaudy colors you could wish for. Wear it on your wrist during the game – each minute you glance down, there will be a new result for a random encounter!

The TIME TABLEZ watch will also be available once the Pledge Manager opens. 

What (Should) You Get Soon?

Once Gamefound is ready for ya, I'll be able to deliver the first round of digital goodies. Right now, if nothing goes horribly wrong, that will include PDFs for:

• Core Book (alpha)
• Containment Breach (novel)
• A Day Off (scenario)
• Character Sheets (multiple variations)
• GM Screen
• All Miniature STLs
• Hacking/Reference Card Deck
• And maaaaybe some of the set-piece scenarios

Okay, I know that was a lot of excitement that all hinges on me getting this dang Pledge Manager wrapped up, so I'm going to get back at it. 

Keep reading past our grinning mugs to check out a few projects we love that are coming up here on Kickstarter!

TTFN,

Zac G. & Team Raptor

Projects We Love

PIRATE BORG: These Bloody Sails
One of the writers on Raptor Ruckus: Fragmentation is doing his own Pirate Borg adventure for ZineQuest next month! Will Tramp also wrote for us on The Devoured Labyrinth for Shadowdark, and he gave me a sneak peek at this project, so I can safely tell you that it's going to be a great one. Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/thiseffingmgames/pirate-borg-these-bloody-sails

FOMORIA: Epic Folk Horror Roleplaying
I mean, I can't imagine a better dynamic duo that Johan and Tania. Both of them are incredible artists, designers, and writers, so I'm over the moon to get to help them bring their latest proejct to life. FOMORIA is stunning. Like, jaw-dropping gorgeous. There's a full Quickstart you can download and see for yourself already up: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/jnohr/fomoria

Expeditions into the Blood Sands
This is Jeff Jones' entry for ZineQuest next month, and I love it. Jeff had me write the bestiary for this setting last year (it's also available in the Kickstarter), but these books really serve to flesh out the wasteland. Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1580058713/expeditions-into-the-blood-sands

PIRATE BORG: The Winds of Hell
While the whole Raptor crew continues to plug away, I've been continuing to chip away at this little beast. Pirate Borg could use a longer-form campaign or two, and I aim to please with Winds of Hell, which is all about devils, the Inquisition, and where the two collide in the Dark Caribbean. Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/epicrpgs/pirate-borg-the-winds-of-hell

November Update
6 months ago – Mon, Dec 01, 2025 at 12:39:17 PM

Hello there,

Zac here. Just a quick update for this past month:

• Several of the Stretch Goal writers have turned in drafts. 
• The core book is almost through layout (approx. 95% done). It will still need plenty of art though. 
• The campaign book is on the last leg before it goes to editing. 
• We released an updated version of the Quickstart!
• John has turned in a full draft of the novel!
• Brian finished out all the artwork for the bestiary!
• M. Allen Hall is through 2/3 of the solo Stretch Goals' design!
• Derrick is wrapping up the design of the Hacking/Reference Deck!

I plan on working on the Pledge Manager over the next few weeks. I would like to think we'll have that ready for you all to dive into before the end of the year, but no promises. 

Expect the next update either around the first of the year or once the Pledge Manager is built, whichever comes sooner. 

TTFN,

Zac G. & Team Raptor

October Update
7 months ago – Mon, Oct 27, 2025 at 11:09:22 AM

Hello there,

Zac here. Can you believe it's already been a month? We don't have a lot to show off at the moment, but I can give you a list of things that have progressed:

• Contracts have been signed with all Stretch Goal pitch designers and additional artists. 
• We have the first 40+ pages laid out for the core book (sans art), and should have another 20 done this week. 
• Brian has worked through more of the Bestiary art (we'll show off a few pieces below). That means we're at about 90% complete on that section of artwork. 
• Hats and Team Raptor shirts have been ordered and paid for. 
• Miniatures have been paid for.

Over the next month, our goal is to wrap up writing and editing on Fragmentation and at least 3/5 of the set piece scenarios, layout another 40+ pages, and get closer to completion on the hacking deck, GM screen, and other accessories. 

In other news, we managed to pop into a few more conventions this month. I'll drop a few pictures below where you can see the new Team Raptor t-shirts, the hacking deck in action, plus Frank and Eric rolling groups through a couple of scenarios.

I think that's it for this month, but keep scrolling for another art piece, plus a few Projects We Love!

TTFN,

Zac G. & Team Raptor

Projects We Love

MORK BILLY
Eric got to play in a game of Mork Billy over at Gamehole Con and said it was awesome. Plus, we kinda love Dave and John (the two fellas behind the project). This is their first-ever Borg build, so they would be over the moon to have your support. Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/morkbilly/mork-billy

RAGNABORG
Speaking of friends and conventions, holy heck did Ragnaborg come out swinging. It was very much one of the "talks of the con" over at Gamehole, and Erica has managed to smash through just about every Stretch Goal she could think of. It's still got about a week left, and you absolutely won't regret picking it up. Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ragnaborg/ragnaborg

PIRATE BORG: The Winds of Hell
While the whole Raptor crew continues to plug away, I've been continuing to chip away at this little beast. Pirate Borg could use a longer-form campaign or two, and I aim to please with Winds of Hell, which is all about devils, the Inquisition, and where the two collide in the Dark Caribbean. Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/epicrpgs/pirate-borg-the-winds-of-hell

SHADOWDARK: Dark Devilry
I might be slightly biased, but I think this pair of books is exactly what Shadowdark needs right now. Very few creatures are more singularly Chaotic and of the darkness than devils and demons, and these books come packed with all sorts of them, plus a host of adventures. Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1580058713/dark-devilry-for-the-shadowdark-rpg

Pitch Winners & Thank You!
8 months ago – Tue, Sep 30, 2025 at 10:24:41 AM

Hello there,

Zac and the entirety of Team Raptor here. An enormous "Thank You" for helping us bring this project to life on such a major scale. We're diving in heavy to get more of the items finished and ready to put in your hands. 

In the meantime, we have some unfinished business with the Pitch Contest! If you recall, we unlocked this as part of the Stretch Goals and said we'd announce the winners on the first of October. 

Finally, we'll cap things off with a quick production rundown on what we're focusing on right now.

Remember! Folks can still Late Pledge here on Kickstarter, and all additional funds still help us push toward those final Stretch Goals!

Winner Announcement

We were hoping for a dozen or so submissions, but you hit that out of the park with 51 applicants! The downside is that we can only pick 4, but if you didn't win, don't worry -- we're keeping your info, and we have several other projects we'll need help with. 

In particular, some people didn't win this one specifically because we felt like you or your pitch would be a better fit for: (A) a larger project, (B) our next expansion, or (C) you just had too original an idea that needs plenty of elbow room. This project is to add expansion scenarios to our Fragmentation campaign book, so we really looked at people and pitches that we felt would fit best. 

So, without further ado, here are our winners:

• Dave Thaumavore
• Matthew Sargent
• Charlotte Traynor
• Adam James

Each one of you will receive $500, a 50% royalty, immediate access to the core book & campaign, and retain your copyright!

Additionally, there are a few other folks that we'll be reaching out to immediately for other projects. All winners can expect an email from Zac (xzacklee47(at)gmail.com) by Friday. Please keep an eye out for that!

Congrats everyone!

Production

While we're here, I can go ahead and tell you what we're working on right now:

• Finishing out the GM Screen and Hacking Deck, and expanded character sheet graphics. (Derrick Nau)
• Layout on the core book. (Matthew Myslinski)
• Finishing the final set pieces for Fragmentation. (Zack Allen & Daniel Fox)
• Creating fillable PDF versions of the character sheets. (Zac Goins)
• Finishing bestiary illustrations. (Brian Colin)

That's it for now! Expect another update in November. 

- Team Raptor

Projects We Love

Dark Devilry
Just a reminder that Zack, John, Zac, Daniel, and Frank are also contributors on this pair of Shadowdark books launching in about a week or so. It's everything you'll ever need on demons and devils in the Dark Realms. https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1580058713/dark-devilry-for-the-shadowdark-rpg?ref=8q78ff

Danger Cubed
Andy is one of our oldest friends in the industry, and he's got this quirky card game live right now where you play as a gelatinous cube fighting both friend and foe to escape your dungeon prison.
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/lornkeep/danger-cubed-you-cant-outrun-the-fun