As a freelance columnist at EN World, I’ve watched EN Publishing’s Level Up since Morrus first proposed the concept on the site. Designed as an advanced version of the fifth edition of the world’s greatest roleplaying game, this is an ambitious project, but one EN Publishing has made a reality. Morrus agreed to answer my questions about the project and Kickstarter.
NOTE: I freelance for EN Publishing’s EN World. I did not participate in the creation of Level Up.
EGG EMBRY (EGG): Thanks for taking the time to talk with me about your newest project. What is Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition?
RUSS MORRISSEY (MORRUS): Level Up is a standalone advanced 5E tabletop RPG which adds depth and diversity to the game you love. It’s still 5E, and it’s 100% compatible with all the 5E books you already have on your shelves, but it offers more character customization, a fully-fledged exploration pillar, and a whole ton of other things. We’ve overhauled every aspect of the game.
EGG: Instead of getting into the mechanical differences with 5e which are covered on the campaign page, website, and previews, I want to learn your thoughts behind this project. What inspired you to make this game happen?
MORRUS: We’ve been playing 5E for years now, and we love it. But we felt we would enjoy a little more depth to the ruleset. Not complexity, mind, but depth. So we asked the community whether that was something they would also like, with a big survey which was answered by thousands and thousands of fans, and it was clear that there was, indeed, an appetite for such an edition of the 5E ruleset.
Of course, we often get asked “Why not just play Pathfinder?” – we love Pathfinder, and if Pathfinder is your jam, folks should definitely play it. Our game, though, is for people who specifically want to continue to play 5E.
EGG: I appreciate the level of market research and public commentary that’s accompanied this project. When developing Level Up, you put together a large crew featuring a variety of diverse voices both new and tenured. What motivated you to cast a wide net?
MORRUS: It never even occurred to us not to. It’s a big, big project, and it needs a lot of hands; and we firmly believe that a wide range of voices and perspectives makes our game better. We put out a call for the best 5E designers in the world, and they responded! Also, as a bonus, it turned out they were the nicest bunch of people ever, and a privilege and a pleasure to work with.
EGG: Who are your lead designers on this?
MORRUS: The team is pretty big, with different folks taking lead on different aspects of the game. We’ve got a page on our website talking about the team. While we do have somebody project managing each book, we don’t so much have a couple of “lead” designers. I’d list them, but it would take up half this article, but please do hop on over to our website to meet the team properly.
EGG: It’s a huge list and a number of great creators. You’ve paid for the writing, the art, and the layout. Will this project deliver as soon as the campaign ends?
MORRUS: That’s our standard practice, yep. The PDFs will go out immediately after the Kickstarter campaign ends, and the print order will be placed as soon as the Kickstarter funds clear. The hardest part has already been done – it’s just printing and shipping which we’ll have left to do.
EGG: Assuming this is a success, are you planning more Level Up projects?
MORRUS: We have ideas, for sure, but we need to see how this goes first. The best thing about this project is that it is supported by a whole industry, because every 5E compatible book is also a Level Up compatible book. So that 5E adventure you back on Kickstarter next year, or that big new 5E campaign setting, it all supports our game.
As for us, one thing at a time, but if it does do well, my thoughts are currently centered around a modern core rulebook and a sci-fi core rulebook, all fully compatible with Level Up (and therefore with 5E). But we’ll see. Let’s get this one done first!
EGG: At the time of this writing, you have nearly 5,000 followers that are waiting the launch of this Kickstarter. Do you feel this will be EN Publishing’s first million dollar crowdfunding campaign?
MORRUS: Yikes, you’re optimistic! Maybe not a million, but I’m fairly confident it will do well. I’ve done everything I know how to do to make sure it does, so if it doesn’t it won’t be through lack of effort! I have some private guesses at what it will do, but I’ll keep those quiet!
EGG: I talked with the creators of an OGL project that pre-dates 5e. They felt that aspects of 5e lifted from their work. Assuming that there’s a 6th edition, is there anything in Level Up you’d like to inspire those hypothetical creators?
MORRUS: I’m sure that the creators of any hypothetical 6th edition don’t need help from us! They know what they’re doing over there, and if they make a 6th edition it will be great.
EGG: Beyond Level Up, what’s next for EN Publishing?
MORRUS: We have several Awfully Cheerful Engine! adventures working their way through the pipeline – Orcs & Oubliettes, Bite Me!, Domes of Thunder, and Accidental Anthropomorphic Animal Heroes. Big plans for WOIN (What’s OLD is NEW), our other game system. We have Apocalypse War for Judge Dredd & The Worlds of 2000 AD literally imminent (might even be out by the time this article goes live, depending when that is!) So yeah, we keep busy!
EGG: That is a lot coming up! Where can fans learn more about this project?
MORRUS: The official website is [here] and you can also head over to the Kickstarter page itself. We also have a Facebook group, and the official Level Up forum over on EN World.
Thanks so much, Egg!
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition from EN Publishing
“Level up your 5E game! The standalone advanced 5E tabletop RPG which adds depth and diversity to the game you love!”
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