Monkey is getting a second expanded edition with all new art.

The Second Incarnation, as 2nd ed is called, will have lots more characters, locations and GMs advice so it will be easier to pick up and play. I’ll also be smashing the idea that the game is only suitable for one shots 😉

Work has already started. The system is going to be streamlined and tweaked. No more large hands of cards to add up. More clarity about whose turn it is. Rules for who holds the spotlight at the beginning of a scene so quiet players don’t get drowned out by the loud mouths.

Peter Frain of 77Studios has been commissioned to do the art. This is a small piece that he did for one of the new pre-gen characters, the Taoist Priest Thunder Mountain.  He’s currently working on a group shot of the Four Pilgrims (aka Tripitaka, Monkey, Sandy and Pigsy) as well as individual pieces of them. One of the ideas behind the 2nd Incarnation is to make it more evocative in the illustrations department, and believe me Peter (who did the art for our recent River of Heaven game) is the artist to make this happen 🙂

Taoist Priest by Peter Frain

Taoist Priest by Peter Frain

I’m currently gearing up to run a home campaign of the Game, so expect some actual play reports.

Once my obligations towards the current Crypts and Things Kickstarter have been fulfilled and Monkey 2nd Incarnation has a 1st draft I’ll be looking to run a quick and focused Kickstarter for the game. Which as well as funding art and additional content as stretch goals (rules for mortals in the core rules for example), will  feature the previously announced Ministry of Thunder mini-campaign as a stretch goal.

My aim is to have the game out by June of next year, in time for UK Games Expo 2016 so we can have a Monkey themed stall with large stacks of the book for sale 😀

I also plan to follow up Monkey with other standalone Oriental themed RPGs…in fact this is going to be a big theme for D101 over the coming year. More details as this expands 🙂

For more news about the game’s development follow this blog.

In the meantime if you are curious about the first incarnation of the game, it is on sale via DriveThruRPG.com.