The Speed Run
Octo is a collection of 8 one-page RPGs, collected together in a Zine format, to raise money for charity. There are 8 contributors. The print run is 200 + 16 Founder’s Editions. There will be no digital edition. Details are here.
The Walkthrough
Please allow me to introduce you to Octo
Octo is a collection of 8 one-page RPGs from 8 different contributors. The games will be collected like an old-school zine in a limited print run of 200. There will be no digital edition.
I’m hoping to do four issues this year, but it all depends on how this first one goes. The first issue, Octo: Games of Spring, will be centered around spring-ish themes, with contributions from Filamena Young, Tracy Barnett, Niki Hammond, Jackson Tegu, Renee Knipe, Hannah Vietmeier, Robert Bruce, and Ross Cowman.
Sold? I thought so. Except that you can’t buy them. You can only get a copy by giving to charity.
This is an experiment. I have no idea if it will work. But I’m aiming to raise a lot of money for charity this year, and I think this could help a lot. I’m sure you might have questions, so ask away. I’ll answer as best as I can, and keep this list updated. I’ve seeded it with some I’m anticipating.
What license will the games be released under? That will be up to the individual authors.
Where does the Founder’s Edition money go? Mostly to the individual authors, the rest to printing and shipping if there’s anything left. If they don’t sell, the authors still get paid.
How sure are you about an early March ship date? It’s a guess, but I think it’ll work. If games come in late, it might slip. I’ll keep you posted.
Why didn’t you Kickstart / Indiegogo instead? Because I don’t want to collect money and then give it to the charities. It creates tax paperwork for me and your donations wouldn’t be tax deductible. I’d rather not be in that business.
Why those four charities? In this case, I picked two that I’m doing fundraising events for anyway (ALC and TDC), one that I think provides a lot of control over how your money is spent (Donors Choose), and one that was one of Give Well’s top charities last year (Against Malaria). Options.
Can I give to another charity? Please do, but the only way to get a copy of Octo is to give to the ones selected.
Why the redemption form? Because I need mailing addresses, and because other people might support the charities who don’t care about Octo.
Can I write a game for the next issue? Please do. Email thinktank@ the domain what you’re reading this on.