Between the MCU, Disney+ TV shows, narrative podcast series, video games, comic books, amusement parks, and a mountain of merchandise, you’d think the world has all the Marvel it needs. But you’d be wrong. Because Earth’s mightiest heroes are ready to once again conquer tabletops. With the all-new Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game.
Marvel Entertainment
Marvel Entertainment has announced a new official RPG. The role-playing game will launch with an introductory Playtest Rulebook in March 2022. It will “put the Marvel Universe in the hands” of fans. From the official announcement:
“Building on decades of thrilling characters and stories from Marvel Comics, the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game: Playtest Rulebook will unveil a thrilling glimpse into the full scope of the Marvel Multiverse. Players will finally be able to take on the roles of Marvel’s most famous Super Heroes – or create entirely new ones – to fight some of the most dangerous Super Villains in the Marvel Universe!”
Author Matt Forbeck (The Marvel Encyclopedia, Dungeons & Dragons: Endless Quest) wrote and co-designed the game. It will feature an “all-new” D616 System. Marvel calls it “an accessible and easy-to-learn system for newcomers to tabletop RPGs.” And “a natural evolution for those familiar with the most popular tabletop role-playing games on the market.”
Marvel
“As a lifelong Marvel fan and gamer, this project is a dream come true,” said Forbeck in a statement. “Fortunately, after writing a couple editions of The Marvel Encyclopedia and designing tabletop games professionally for over 30 years, I feel ready to help make this the best Marvel TTRPG experience ever. I can’t wait for everyone to have the chance to play it!”
Players will use Might, Agility, Resilience, Vigilance, Ego, and Logic to power them through the game. Which will also come with illustrations from Marvel comic book artists. That includes art for: Spider-Man, Black Panther, Captain America, Thor, Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, Wolverine, Storm, and “many more.’
Be a part of the Marvel Multiverse! Releasing next year, an all-new Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game will put the Marvel Multiverse in your hands: https://t.co/bkLPjNd3fL
— Marvel Entertainment (@Marvel) June 4, 2021
Fans who pick up the Playtest Rulebook will also have a chance “to help shape the game” by offering feedback on rules before its full release in 2023. (How exactly will be announced later.)
This isn’t Marvel’s first foray into the world of RPGs. TSR launched the first Marvel tabletop role-playing game, Marvel Super Heroes, in 1984. And Marvel has since released its own games since. But none of them ever came out in a world where Marvel dominates pop culture. So it won’t surprise us if Earth’s mightiest heroes end up dominating tabletops too with this one.