Esper Genesis: Heroic Sci-Fi Role-Playing for 5E

Created by Alligator Alley Entertainment

Esper Genesis is a versatile science fiction RPG and setting that uses the 5th edition rules of the world's greatest roleplaying game.

Latest Updates from Our Project:

Post Con Update
5 months ago – Thu, Nov 09, 2023 at 12:01:29 PM

Greetings, Espers!

We recently attended Gamehole Con in Wisconsin, where we met and ran tables for some veteran Esper Genesis gamers while introducing many new ones to the game. Rich was one of the convention's special guests. He ran a panel on incorporating sci-fi into TTRPGs for groups of attendees and fellow industry professionals.

Print Copies

As with Gen Con, we obtained a number of print on demand copies for our vendor booth while we wait for the arrival of more offset prints. Demand for print copies of all the books remains high, so we're also working with DriveThruRPG to make premium POD versions available for sale, starting with the Core Manual.

We're hoping to finally see the offset prints of the Master Technician's Guide within the coming weeks. Until then, there isn't anything else we can do but share in everyone's frustration and anticipation while we wait.

Roll20 VTT

The overhaul of our Roll20 VTT version is almost done. Roll20 players that own any of the Esper Genesis core books can now access them from the D&D 5E compendium and also bring EG content into any game that uses the official 5E sheet. The Roll20 versions of the core books will also soon be sold on DriveThruRPG.

Another GenCon in the Bag
8 months ago – Tue, Aug 15, 2023 at 05:40:30 AM

Hi Espers!
A week ag we attended the GenCon Indy convention. All of us ran tables during the show and all of those tables sold out. We even ran oversized tables for multiple slots. It is great for us to connect with players, and it is great for Esper Genesis for gameplay to keep growing.

Our print units didn't get to us in time for the show, so we obtained a number of print on demand copies for our table at the Studio 2 booth and even letting folks know that offset versions are forthcoming, demand was high.

We were able to get our VTT version back on track, and the first community content products are starting to show up on DriveThru, so things are starting to fall back into place.

It was great to meet (or see again) so many of you at the show. Looking forward to sharing exciting news for everyone soon.

Forward progress
10 months ago – Fri, May 26, 2023 at 04:19:03 AM

Greetings Espers,

It's been a while since our last update, and admittedly we're overdue for news. We had been holding out for a nice news report, but we should update more often, even without big news.

We spent the last few months tackling the last of the issues concerning the Master Technician's Guides. A payment issue pushed us out of an already long print production line, but rectifying that has put us back on the schedule.

We know it's been a long road. We've avoided listing all of the roadblocks because of our old-fashioned avoidance of sounding like we're making excuses.

But at this point, I'm going to lay some of it out:

  • We're tackling a $100,000 project with a $25,000 kickstarter, so that gives us no margin for error
  • We lost 8 retail sales opportunities, including 2 GenCons and 2 Origins (big revenue swing) due to the pandemic
  • Inflation had a big impact on printing this last book, moving the goal post
  • We tragically lost our friend, collaborator, and primary graphic designer while we were still in development

Right now, we are awaiting the Master Technician's Guide and GM Screen. These are the last major deliverables from this Kickstarter. We appreciate that it's frustrating to wait for it. We don't want to launch another EG project until after this finally finishes - but we have some exciting ideas and it's frustrating for us to wait to get it started.

Follow our Socials. Facebook, Discord, Instagram. You will see us out there as we keep building the brand. We build it because, once we get through this, we know that Esper Genesis will remain the definitive 5e-based sci Fi RPG, perfect for any sci-fi genre. That is why we are at numerous conventions per year running the game, why we started our community content program, and why Rich has done great work setting up content for digital table top apps.

The only thing we ask is, if you have questions or concerns about the Kickstarter, please ask them via Kickstarter instead of on social media. Comments for public interest, messages if it's just for you.

Thank you everyone.

Greetings Espers! Happy New Year
about 1 year ago – Fri, Jan 13, 2023 at 11:33:08 AM

As we brace for day 6 and 7 of winter this weekend in South Florida (60% chance of falling Iguanas) we have some updates for you!

Rumored OGL 1.1 and Esper Genesis


Wizards of the Coast recently made a statement regarding the new OGL, so we are going to keep an eye out for anything official and keep you informed once we know more.

Master Technician's Guide


We know it has been a long haul. We had some communication issues with the printer, and some production challenges as well, but they are finally ready to wrap this project up for us. This is for both the MTG and the GM Screen. The quality of the product from this vendor is excellent, so we expect everyone to be very happy with the result once it is in everyone's hands. Over these next few months there will be new updates and the ability to watch the project sail across the ocean. It will ship within a week of hitting our fulfillment partner.

Due to this experience (and the issues some of our colleagues have faced) we intend to print in North America, whenever feasible, for the foreseeable future. Which brings us to:

Reprints


The Core Manual, already on its 2nd printing and its 3rd printing is coming, and the Threat's Database is coming close to its second printing. This really speaks to how well-received the game has been, and for this we are eternally grateful.

Questions about the Project


The best method to ask us any questions about the project is to send a message through Kickstarter as that comes right to our company email rather than our social media groups that intended to keep players connected.

Still Waiting...
over 1 year ago – Fri, Nov 18, 2022 at 11:20:53 PM

Hello everyone,

I was holding out on this one in hopes of some more concrete news this week. Unfortunately, I don't have that for you.

Right now, the Master Technician's Guide and GM Screen are with the same printer, and a reprint of the Core Manual is in the hands of another. Schedules are frustratingly long, and we want to get these too you soon. 

We appreciate how eager everyone is to get this book, and are thrilled that no small part of that is due to how much people enjoy the game. We want it too. Not only because it has been our goal from the start, but also because we will not launch our next large-scale project until we deliver this to you. 

We would also like to wish all of our US Backers a safe and happy Thanksgiving this coming week, and our many Mexican backers a happy Revolution Day on Sunday.