I've had a few rather bad - and consecutive - experiences with RPGs by "big" companies (at least as big as they can be) going fully woke. All my fault, because during about five years I didn't pay any attention to what was happening in the role playing world and then came back and didn't do the required research. I don't plan on giving any more money to faux-activist hypocrites who give in to the woke mob, but I'm also a sucker for very detailed settings, published campaigns and high production values, so keeping focused only on individual game designers doesn't quite cut it for me. I suppose this is the only place where I can ask this and get an answer, so... any suggestions? I'm not looking for any particular game or genre, just a nod on the right direction(s) if any...

Quote from: MigRib;1142739I've had a few rather bad - and consecutive - experiences with RPGs by "big" companies (at least as big as they can be) going fully woke. All my fault, because during about five years I didn't pay any attention to what was happening in the role playing world and then came back and didn't do the required research. I don't plan on giving any more money to faux-activist hypocrites who give in to the woke mob, but I'm also a sucker for very detailed settings, published campaigns and high production values, so keeping focused only on individual game designers doesn't quite cut it for me. I suppose this is the only place where I can ask this and get an answer, so... any suggestions? I'm not looking for any particular game or genre, just a nod on the right direction(s) if any...

They are 'giving in' to making money, it's capitalism in action.

Theres a fairly recent thread here on the subject if you backtrack a little.

Short answer is increasingly more companies are either chugging the koolaid or at the very least bending knee. But the instances of rampant virtue signalling seems to be increasing.

So many questions, not enough answers. Most of this big woke companies will go broke when the Great Depression hits. Their selected fanbase simply won't be able to afford it anymore. Without all the noise that's when free self publishing individuals like myself will become heroes to the community and finally have their hard work appreciated.

Here is the thread Omega mentioned.

https://www.therpgsite.com/showthread.php?39832-The-least-woke-major-RPG-publishers

Quote from: Omega;1142742Theres a fairly recent thread here on the subject if you backtrack a little.

Short answer is increasingly more companies are either chugging the koolaid or at the very least bending knee. But the instances of rampant virtue signalling seems to be increasing.

Thanks, I'll take a better look at the past threads then.

Or better yet, you've found it for me, thanks!

Quote from: Taggie;1142741They are 'giving in' to making money, it's capitalism in action.

No, they're giving in to the woke mob. I have yet to see any evidence that this woke virtue signaling directly correlates with increased sales (and in other industries, such as comics, there has been evidence to the contrary), but even if it did the fact of the matter still remains that the motivating factor is either political or fear of the woke mob tarnishing their brand with accusations of bigotry if they don't (or a combination of both), rather than monetary in nature. NO ONE gives into the woke mob because 'capitalism'.

I find sticking to material released 2012 or earlier is the safest bet. WoTC pre-2016 - they're always a bit behind the curve.

I like Sasquatch and not seen any evidence Rich Baker is particularly Woke - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/6416/Sasquatch-Game-Studio . Primeval Thule felt like it had been scrubbed a bit on release to get rid of the more lurid stuff Baker had been planning to go for according to his design blogs, but it's still very very good.

Oh, Judges Guild's Bob Bledsaw II has been revealed as anti-woke to the extent that you can no longer buy JG stuff at major outlets... some people would say positively racist/sexist/anti-Semitic, I don't know enough to really judge but he did seem to like ranting on Facebook.

Quote from: S'mon;1142757I like Sasquatch and not seen any evidence Rich Baker is particularly Woke - https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/6416/Sasquatch-Game-Studio . Primeval Thule felt like it had been scrubbed a bit on release to get rid of the more lurid stuff Baker had been planning to go for according to his design blogs, but it's still very very good.

Rich Baker is no longer with Sasquatch - https://twitter.com/RichBakerWriter/status/1246491862514438144
Also given the complete screw up of the game they call Alternity I've got zero love for them.

Quote from: lordmalachdrim;1142760Rich Baker is no longer with Sasquatch - https://twitter.com/RichBakerWriter/status/1246491862514438144
Also given the complete screw up of the game they call Alternity I've got zero love for them.

Oh, ok - yeah well, just buy the Primeval Thule stuff & ignore Alternity.

Quote from: S'mon;1142767Oh, ok - yeah well, just buy the Primeval Thule stuff & ignore Alternity.

Not too easy to do when you're a big fan of the original that was released in the last days of TSR and are a backer of the current cluster fck.

Quote from: lordmalachdrim;1142798Not too easy to do when you're a big fan of the original that was released in the last days of TSR and are a backer of the current cluster fck.

Yes, but I doubt the OP is in that position.

Labyrinth Lord and Basic Fantasy are my go-to's for fantasy

Traveller and Cepheus Engine for hard (ish) science fiction

Cyberpunk 2020 and Cybergeneration for cyberpunk (duh)

Mekton II and Mekton Zeta for giant robots/anime

d6 Star Wars for Star Wars

Everything else AFAIK that has come out in the last 10 years has slowly slid into social justice politics disguised as gaming.

Palladium has been non-political. They've had flawed, heroic, and villainous characters of various colors and pants-junk since the 80s and their only agenda is they just want everyone to have fun.