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New Edition of Classic Sci-Fi TTRPG Stay Frosty Launched on Backerkit

Split image: Left side in black and white showing a moon or asteroid base with text "The Classic Sci-Fi TTRPG of Future Marines Versus the Universe." Right side in color showing armed soldiers in futuristic armor with text "Stay Frosty Remastered, Now on Backerkit!

The Melsonian Arts Council has launched a Backerkit campaign for a new edition of Stay Frosty, a sci-fi tabletop RPG originally developed within the old-school revival community. This updated edition introduces a hardback format, expanded content, and exclusive items for supporters of the campaign.

The cover of "Stay Frosty Remastered," a classic Sci-Fi TTRPG, features armed soldiers battling alien creatures amidst fiery destruction. The title and author's name, Casey Garske, are prominently displayed at the top, enticing fans to dive into this epic adventure.

Stay Frosty invites players to take on the role of space marines engaged in high-stakes missions against cosmic threats. Players balance limited resources and escalating tension, testing their strategic skills in scenarios reminiscent of classic sci-fi films and games. The system is based on The Black Hack TTRPG framework, known for its streamlined, D&D-inspired mechanics. Core gameplay revolves around a 1d20-based resolution system using four main attributes: Brains, Brawn, Dexterity, and Willpower.

A black and white illustration of a futuristic colony on an asteroid invokes the feel of a classic sci-fi TTRPG. Various buildings and structures, including domes and antennas, are scattered across the rocky surface while the starry space scene in the background invites you to stay frosty.

Eight specialized classes, such as Psi Ops and Intelligence, provide unique skills, with ranks that determine each character’s initial equipment and advantages. Players face resource management challenges through the “Supply Die” mechanic, while psionic abilities and a “Danger Die” introduce risk and unpredictability. As mission tension rises, the “Frostiness” level increases, enhancing player capabilities but adding the risk of unexpected, high-stakes challenges.

A surreal black and white illustration depicts a figure in armor, helmet gleaming, firing two guns amidst creatures and faces in distress. The chaotic scene, reminiscent of classic sci-fi TTRPGs like Stay Frosty, features bizarre entities and monstrous elements bursting with intense action.

The Backerkit campaign offers exclusive items, including a Distance Chart, player tokens, a Frostiness Tracker, a screen-printed T-shirt, and an original adventure by Andrew Walter, author of Slipgate Chokepoint. Other features include vehicles, mission generators, and rules for campaign play and one-shot encounters.

A black-and-white illustration depicts a distressed figure at a table with a gun and helmet, evoking the tense atmosphere of a Sci-Fi TTRPG. Surreal and monstrous imagery surrounds them, including a skull-faced creature, an eye-like entity, and ghostly figures—Stay Frosty indeed.

Stay Frosty is available in hardback for £22, with a planned release in May 2025. The campaign, which has already exceeded its goal, will run until November 26.