New VI·VIII·X edition - Project update - June'25

Busy week, big update!
I’ve just wrapped up a super intense week and I’m thrilled to share that I’ve completed the updates to the new edition of VI·VIII·X for (almost) all previously released books. I also finalized the brand new core rules system, which I’m calling Hackssential!

All of this was made possible thanks to the amazing people I’ve met on Substack, whose support was truly essential in making this happen. I want to give a special shout-out to fellow substackers who helped me so much, especially

RUSS GIBSON

,

Whiskey, Blood and Dust

(aka Brian),

M. B. Heywood

,

Nate Combs

,

Zachary Harned

,

Niccolo

,

Bill

, and last but not least Doug and Scott from The Acaeum, as well as many others (apologies if I didn’t name you directly!).

I plan to publish the Hackssential Rules soon (in a few weeks!), along with all the related supplements and adventures. I might not manage to release the second edition of In a Nutshell, the quickstart guide, right away but it’s coming shortly after. I’ve also updated the layout and structure of the manuals, especially VIII·XII·XX, to match the streamlined, straight-to-the-point Hackssential format. That said, the “How to Run a KUP Game” section remains untouched, it’s meant to be read and reflected upon, not used as an in-game reference for GMs.

Adventures have also been revised and now feature dual compatibility: they work with both VI·VIII·X Hackssential Rules and classic B/X, so GMs not using my system (yet!) can still enjoy them. The first module, ‘A Beginning of the Story’, will be released only as a Limited Edition in AD&D 1E format, but once that edition is retired in September, the standard B/X-compatible version will follow.

I’m aiming to work on the online version of the rules this weekend. If things go smoothly, they might be available before the official release on DriveThruRPG! I’ll keep you posted, and yes, that would mean full early access to the Hackssential rules for everyone online, even before they’re on sale. I know it’s a bit crazy from a financial standpoint, but by now, you probably know I’m not in this to get rich! I still believe there are folks out there like me, the kind of RPG fan who loves a good physical book more than a stack of html pages.

With this update, I’m wrapping up the complete overhaul of the game and finally returning to the projects I’ve had on hold, most importantly, the cosmogony and ‘Imago Mundi’, the setting! And of course, the three new adventures still in the works. On that note: a few days ago I re-read an old post of mine from three years ago about the setting… (pls note: 3 years ago!) and I was amazed to see how the ideas I had back then are still solid and unchanged. Which tells me one of two things: either I’m completely nuts… or the ideas are rock solid. Or maybe both!

One last bit of news: not many people know this, but I’m a huge fan of D&D BECMI and Mystara, I grew up with them! And within Mystara, my heart belongs to Glantri, hands down my favorite nation in the Known World. Proof? The only adventure I ever released online was set in Glantri, a fan-made piece from 1998, in Italian, which luckily still survives on Vaults of Pandius at this link.
But that’s not the real news, what I really want to share with fellow Mystara or arcane-magic fans is one of the most complete and fascinating D&D supplements available online: the Great School of Magic in detail. I won’t say anything more, just go download and read this masterpiece!

Until next time and… may the new VI·VIII·X edition be soon at your table!