by andyl

Novatheorem wrote:

Where do games like Scion Second Edition fit into this continuum. Games like these will definitely also impact whatever side of the scale they are on in just volume.

I would say that Scion is contemporary mythic fantasy.

I am pretty sure that such games are not major games in the sense the OP was talking about. There are certainly many SF games which easily sell on the same scale. I guess once upon a time Vampire/Werewolf sold really well (but nowhere near the volumes of D&D) but those games are not so popular now.

by Moonlight_Fox

Dolphinandrew wrote:

(Not sci-fi in many senses of course, but if we're going to be picky on genre definitions, then Cthulhu is horror not fantasy, and space is a setting, not a genre. I'd even argue that Cthulhu is at least as much space-ish sci-fi as it is fantasy, depending on which parts of it you emphasize.)

Absolutely. I'd also point to Starfinder, which is doing pretty well on startplaying IIRC the recent statistics they published, which feels like it inarguably fits into both categories the OP creates - Space and Fantasy.

"Why is fantasy more popular than space?" because fantasy is an absurdly broad category with fuzzy edges (even before you start putting parts of horror into it as the OP did with CoC), and space is a setting that includes some fantasy even without getting into the "Is Star Wars really sci-fi or is it actually fantasy?" debate about genre definitions of two genres that overlap and mingle rather than having hard dividing lines between them.

If someone can find this year's annual article from Start Playing for the most popular 50 games on their site, it might be informative to go through that list and categorize them, I couldn't find their list for 2026 (I was able to find 2024 and I think 2021) though know it exists since I've seen coverage of the list, and compare it to the monthly most played games on RPGG lists once you categorize those, though I'd note both sources have their biases - Startplaying to the games that get posted to a site that seems to focuses on paid GMs, this site's monthly lists to people who log their plays on this site in the specific way that Alexander gathers them.

But, setting aside that we're comparing the whole of fantasy to a specific subset of what is usually sci-fi but is sometimes fantasy?

For Fantasy, there's the elephant in the room of D&D5e/5.5e, the recent glut of games in that same space that seem to all have an audience and community around them (PF2e, Daggerheart, Draw Steel, Nimble, etc), then you have OSR, NSR, and adjacent old school inspired stuff which I think is one of the two most common types of indie game and while there's occasional games not really in fantasy is as a movement very rooted in that dungeon fantasy concept.

And then there are a bunch of fantasy games that aren't part of that initial mound on top of it, while for sci-fi games generally (or space specifically), you just have that category.

And I think ultimately that's the reason for how more prominent in the hobby fantasy appears to be compared to sci-fi generally or space specficially. D&D is the elephant in the room and always has been, there's a few games at the moment that are capturing people dissatisfied with D&D for various reasons but still want to be in that heroic fantasy space, and a huge amount of games trying to recapture the appeal of 1970s and 1980s D&D and building off of each other in various directions. And that's only a part of the category of games that are fantasy.

by kingofanything

Thank you for hosting, Monica!

by Otaku sempai

Free League has posted their press release about the Gen Con announcements: https://us3.campaign-archive.com/?u=2dcfb24fb7c8d0fb9c2f5204...

Two New The One Ring™ Expansions Revealed and Unbound Digital Platform Launched at Gen Con 2026
New BackerKit campaign also includes revised Core Rules, while Invincible – Superhero Roleplaying launches worldwide

Today, we made three major announcements during our Gen Con 2026 Showcase: a new BackerKit campaign featuring two expansions and revised Core Rules for The One Ring™ RPG; the Early Access launch of Free League Unbound, a new first-party digital platform; and the worldwide release of Invincible Superhero Roleplaying.

Our upcoming BackerKit campaign launching in September for The One Ring, the officially licensed and award-winning tabletop roleplaying game based on the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, features two new expansions and revised Core Rules:
- The White Tower and the Hall of Gold: A major campaign expansion exploring Gondor and Rohan, the last great realms of Men in the west of Middle-earth.
- Creatures Strange and Foul: A bestiary filled with enemies from the shadows of the Third Age, including Black Númenórean spies, Haradrim champions, and ancient evils from forgotten ages.
- Revised Core Rules: An updated presentation of the game with new cover art and updated rules. The revised book remains fully compatible with previously released supplements.
More details about the campaign can be found on the pre-launch page, and you can reserve your pledge now for just $1 to claim an exclusive dice bag for The One Ring.

The two expansions will also be adapted for The Lord of the Rings™ Roleplaying, the 5E version of The One Ring. They will be released under the titles Realms of the South and Of Orcs and Evil Things.

The campaign also features limited Collector’s Editions with faux-leather covers and silver or gold foil printing. These editions are exclusive to the campaign and will not be reprinted.

You can read the entire press release at the link above.

by Novatheorem

Where do games like Scion Second Edition fit into this continuum. Games like these will definitely also impact whatever side of the scale they are on in just volume.

by ilgiocointavolo

by Ugavine

Superhero: either like Spider-Man or the Hulk.
Supervillain: Mind Control, something like Purple Man.

by Elida

Thanks, all! I actually feel a bit tired after all the typing I have done this month! :laugh:
And I have still a few hours left... :whistle:

by program2game

by program2game

by AZBarbarian

If I were a villain, my power would be to be a cult of personality. I would work to stratify the populace into the haves and have-nots. I would meddle with educational systems to crush critical thinking and independent thought. I would make science a conspiracy. Any news that disagreed with my viewpoint would be fake. I would create doubt in our government systems such as elections. I would give myself awards for self-gratification. I would take power and keep it at all costs.

If I were a hero my power would be to be a cult of personality. I would work for the betterment of all. I would empower freedom and liberty. I would strive for equity in educational systems and healthcare. I would encourage critical thinking and independent thought. I would emphasize science based decision making. I would make the news neutral and truthful. I would work to increase faith and morality. I would be modest and upstanding.

by Grishnakh_the_Grouch

Super grateful for your hosting, Monica, amidst your FM complications. I think that qualifies you for the Over-And-Above award. Now take care of yourself, get a lot of rest, and game on!