New RPG “Maggot Machine” Promises a Twisted Journey Through a Lost World

ByDaniel Kling Lorentsen
From the ruins of a lost world, a mechanical beast with exposed flesh and multiple green glowing eyes emerges. Its skeletal face and robotic elements give it a sinister, futuristic appearance, akin to a maggot machine slithering through an RPG's post-apocalyptic setting.

Nightfall Games has announced the release of their latest role-playing game, “Maggot Machine.” Set in an alternative version of 1994, the game features a world where time has stopped, and monstrous entities known as Maggot Machines dominate the landscape. Humanity has retreated underground to avoid these threats.

In “Maggot Machine,” players assume the roles of Guild Knights, tasked with venturing above ground to retrieve lost artifacts from before the Great Maggot era. Rewards for these dangerous missions include essential supplies and survival necessities.

In a lost world, a desolate post-apocalyptic landscape unfolds with crumbling skyscrapers and leafless trees under a cloudy sky. A robotic skull lies beside a broken pipe oozing toxic waste, while nearby, remnants of maggot machines add to the eerie's haunting atmosphere.

The game was developed by Dave Allsop, known for “SLA Industries,” with additional contributions from Jared Earle and Benn Greybeaton. To accommodate the unique setting, Nightfall Games has introduced the V6 system, a simplified rule set designed to enhance gameplay without overwhelming players with complexity.

The Kickstarter campaign for “Maggot Machine” began on April 16, 2024, and will continue for 21 days. It offers backers the chance to receive the rule book and additional content as part of their support.

Ahead of the full game release, Nightfall Games has made a 32-page Quickstart guide available on DriveThruRPG, giving potential players a preview of the system and setting.

Mark Rapson, Managing Director of Nightfall Games, is overseeing the Kickstarter campaign. He emphasized the company’s focus on maintaining clear and consistent communication with backers throughout the campaign process.

A futuristic soldier in battle armor stands amid a lost world, wielding a high-tech weapon. The rugged suit, with multiple pouches and cables, complements the helmet's unique design featuring a visor and antenna. The soldier's stance is assertive, embodying readiness for action in this RPG setting.

“Maggot Machine” features over fifty new artworks by Dave Allsop and a design layout by Allsop and Jared Earle. The final product is a 128-page A5 book, which continues Nightfall Games’ tradition of high-quality game production.

From its beginnings as Scotland’s first RPG publisher, Nightfall Games has developed a variety of games, both licensed and original, known for their strong narratives and high production values.

For more details or to support the “Maggot Machine” project, visit the Kickstarter page or check out the Quickstart guide available on DriveThruRPG.

Daniel Kling Lorentsen is the editor of Tabletop Gaming News, with a passion for tabletop games that began in the '90s. Starting with Dungeons & Dragons and Warhammer, his journey in the gaming industry has been diverse—from working at a prominent gaming store and illustrating RPG books and board games, to consulting hedge funds on RPG trends. Since 2005, Daniel has written extensively about games and managed several gaming websites, applying his deep industry knowledge to keep readers informed about the latest in tabletop gaming.