The Gauntlet (tabletop games producer)

The Gauntlet
IndustryTabletop role-playing games, Podcasting
FounderJason Cordova
Websitehttps://www.gauntlet-rpg.com/

The Gauntlet is a publisher/producer of tabletop role-playing games and podcasts. Their publications include Trophy RPG and Brindlewood Bay. In addition to game books, they publish a monthly game zine called Codex to encourage experimentation in indie role-playing games and OSR.[1] Their games and podcasts have won multiple ENNIE Awards. As of November 2024, The Gauntlet has raised over one million dollars USD on Kickstarter and BackerKit combined.

Publishing/Production History

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Games

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The Between was written by Jason Cordova and crowdfunded on BackerKit in November 2024, raising $289,681. The Between is a Victorian era monster-hunting game based on the Brindlewood Bay rules. It is scheduled for digital release in April 2025 and physical release in November 2025.[2]

Trophy RPG was written by Jesse Ross and published in 2022. It is a dark fantasy game[3][4] and was funded on Kickstarter with $210,141 from 2,543 backers.[5] Trophy won the 2023 Silver ENNIE Award for “Best Game,” and was nominated in 2 additional categories: "Best Rules," and "Product of the Year."[6] Trophy is designed for both one-shot games via Trophy Dark and ongoing campaigns though Trophy Gold.[3] Gauntlet has published a related campaign setting book titled Trophy Loom.[7]

Brindlewood Bay was written by Jason Cordova and published in 2022. It is a murder mystery game[8][9] and was funded on Kickstarter with $477,518 from 7,748 backers.[10] It won the 2023 Gold ENNIE Award for "Best Electronic Book."[11]

Hearts of Wulin was written by Agatha Cheng and Lowell Francis and published in 2021. It is a Wuxia game that uses the Powered by the Apocalypse framework[12] and was funded on Kickstarter with $38,262 from 1,332 backers.[13] Hearts of Wulin was featured on One Shot Podcast Network.[14][15]

Podcasts

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  • Fear of a Black Dragon: about fantasy modules and setting books; won the 2018 Silver ENNIE Award for "Best Podcast."[16]
  • Trophy Podcast: actual play of Trophy; nominated for the 2021 ENnie award for "Best Podcast."[17]

References

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  1. ^ Codega, Linda (2021-12-22). "Small but mighty: Independent TTRPG presses work toward equity in game design". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  2. ^ "The Between". BackerKit. 2024-11-03. Retrieved 2024-11-19.
  3. ^ a b Theel, Charles (2022-10-24). "Trophy Dark is the role-playing game that offers doom instead of glory". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  4. ^ Carter, Chase (2022-01-06). "10 most anticipated new tabletop RPGs coming out in 2022". Polygon. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  5. ^ "Track Trophy RPG's Kickstarter campaign on BackerTracker". BackerKit. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  6. ^ "2023 Nominations – ENNIE Awards". Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  7. ^ Marks, Aaron (February 12, 2020). "The Independents: Trophy". Cannibal Halfling Gaming. Retrieved 2023-07-17.
  8. ^ "Beyond D&D: The 12 TTRPGs you're not playing, but really should be". SYFY Official Site. 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  9. ^ Wieland, Rob. "Five More Standout Powered By The Apocalypse Games". Forbes. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  10. ^ "Pre-order Brindlewood Bay: Cozy Murder Mystery RPG on BackerKit". BackerKit. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  11. ^ "2023 Nominations – ENNIE Awards". Retrieved 2023-07-08.
  12. ^ Gailloreto, Coleman (2021-03-22). "Tabletop RPGs Set In The Chinese Wuxia Genre". ScreenRant. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  13. ^ "Track Hearts of Wulin's Kickstarter campaign on BackerTracker". BackerKit. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  14. ^ Represent, Asians (2019-04-25). "Hearts of Wulin ft. Agatha!". The One Shot Podcast. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  15. ^ Cast, Character Creation (2019-05-06). "Series 16.1 – Hearts of Wulin with Lowell Francis [The Gauntlet] and Agatha Cheng [Asians Represent] (Creation)". The One Shot Podcast. Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  16. ^ "2018 Nominees and Winners – ENNIE Awards". Retrieved 2023-04-17.
  17. ^ "2021 Nominees and Winners – ENNIE Awards". Retrieved 2023-04-17.
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