Founded by Daniel Proctor in 2008, Goblinoid Games quickly became a respected name in the tabletop role-playing game (RPG) community by focusing on reviving and supporting old-school gaming systems. With a lineup that honors the classics while introducing thoughtful new mechanics and storytelling frameworks, Goblinoid Games has become indispensable for fans of retro-style RPG experiences. By fostering open gaming and community collaboration, the publisher has carved out its space in the RPG revival movement, proudly focusing on rules-light systems and modular design that players can modify to suit their narrative needs.
TL;DR
Goblinoid Games specializes in retro-style RPGs with a focus on simplicity, accessibility, and adaptability. Their most notable titles, such as Labyrinth Lord and Mutant Future, pay homage to classic editions of Dungeons & Dragons and other past-era games. The company supports open-source gaming through its commitment to the Open Game License (OGL), encouraging community expansions and derivative content. Whether you’re new to tabletop RPGs or a veteran of early editions, Goblinoid Games offers well-supported, nostalgia-driven systems tailored for engaging fantasy and sci-fi storytelling.
Key Offerings in the Goblinoid Games Catalog
Goblinoid Games has a small but influential catalog of game systems that explore different genres while maintaining a consistent design philosophy. Below are the publisher’s core offerings:
1. Labyrinth Lord
Labyrinth Lord is the flagship product of Goblinoid Games and arguably the most well-known retro-clone in the old-school gaming (OSR) movement. This game emulates the 1981 Basic/Expert edition of Dungeons & Dragons, bringing streamlined old-school fantasy adventuring back into the spotlight.
- Faithful Emulation: Rules are nearly identical to the B/X D&D ruleset, with only minor modernizations.
- Flexible Publishing Parameters: Released under both the OGL and the company’s own Labyrinth Lord Compatibility License, encouraging fan modules and third-party content.
- Customization Ready: Built to be hacked and modified, fostering a do-it-yourself spirit among players and Game Masters.
Different versions of Labyrinth Lord exist, such as the Advanced Edition Companion, which layers in first edition AD&D elements, expanding character options and rules systems while still remaining backward compatible with the B/X framework.
2. Mutant Future
Mutant Future deviates from the fantasy genre and heads straight into post-apocalyptic science fiction. Also built on the same underlying rules engine as Labyrinth Lord, it draws its inspiration from games like Gamma World. Players can play as mutated humans, sentient animals, androids, or classic human survivors exploring hazards in irradiated wastelands.
- Open Wasteland Setting: Encourages sandbox-style play and improvisation.
- Community Expansions: The license and structure allow GMs to develop unique locales, threats, and technological zones.
- Simple Mechanics: Just like Labyrinth Lord, easy to learn and faster to play than many modern RPGs.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of Mutant Future is its support for random tables and unpredictable world-generation mechanics, enhancing the chaotic vibe of the post-nuclear ruined Earth setting.
3. Starships & Spacemen (2nd Edition)
A clear homage to 1970s and 1980s sci-fi television programs, in particular Star Trek, Starships & Spacemen focuses on crew-based adventure in space. Players typically take on roles aboard a starship under an interstellar command framework, undertaking diplomatic missions, scientific exploration, and tactical skirmishes.
- Unique Class System: Combines D&D-style class-and-level mechanics with science-fiction tropes.
- Date-Driven Mechanics: Includes spaceship combat, alien encounter charts, and radiation rules.
- Supports Episodic Play: Designed to handle short missions or long campaigns effectively.
This system emphasizes group cooperation, exploration, and moral decisions in the vastness of space. It’s ideal for groups who want to role-play beyond sword-and-sorcery tropes and explore new frontiers.
Supporting Materials and Supplements
Beyond core rulebooks, Goblinoid Games has offered a series of supplements, modules, and expansion aids for their systems:
- Adventure Modules: Designed for quick integration and balanced for varying party levels. Some include classics like “The Idol of the Orcs” for Labyrinth Lord.
- Creature Encounters: Monster manuals and bestiaries tailored for distinct genres.
- Random Generators: Tables for treasure, dungeons, taverns, mutations, and space hazards enhance replayability and reduce preparation time.
Thanks to their commitment to open gaming, a thriving ecosystem of third-party creators has emerged, adding unofficial but high-quality materials that expand the possibilities of campaigns under all Goblinoid systems.
Open Licensing and Community Contributions
One of Goblinoid Games’ most important decisions was to embrace the Open Game License (OGL), which not only made the rules publicly accessible but encouraged other developers to build on them. Their work uses the OGL broadly, with some variations tailored for individual systems (e.g., Labyrinth Lord Compatibility mark).
This entire philosophy has encouraged partnerships, fan modules, and broader incorporation into the OSR village of creators. Notably, Labyrinth Lord became one of the go-to engines for indie publishers before the explosion of design around Basic Fantasy RPG and Old School Essentials.
Why Choose Goblinoid Games?
If you’re wondering whether Goblinoid Games is right for you or your group, consider these compelling reasons:
- Accessible Rule Systems: Clear, concise, and easy-to-learn mechanics make these games great for beginners and veterans alike.
- Fast-Paced Play: Minimal rules overhead means more time playing and less time calculating.
- Creative Freedom: All titles support hacking, modifying, or integrating third-party content.
- Cost Effectiveness: Many titles are affordably priced or even available as free PDFs in basic forms.
The company also emphasizes long-term stability, avoiding frequent reprints or rule overhauls that render player materials outdated quickly. This makes it easier for game groups to invest in hardcovers and keep using them for decades.
Digital Availability and Print Options
Goblinoid Games offers their product catalog through multiple digital platforms, including:
Print-on-demand versions are available for large-format rulebooks and adventure modules, which makes acquiring physical books straightforward and reasonably affordable for most players.
Conclusion
Goblinoid Games continues to stand as a benchmark for quality and authenticity in the retro-RPG space. With accessible rules, genre variety, and a mission grounded in fostering community creativity, its products represent not only a love for traditional role-playing but a path forward for those who want to shape it. Whether delving into a dungeon, navigating space diplomacy, or battling mutants in an irradiated metropolis, Goblinoid systems provide the scaffolding for immersive, memorable adventures that stay rooted in the spirit of classic gaming.
If you’re interested in exploring new realms while preserving the charm of the old-school experience, Goblinoid Games is unquestionably worth your attention and your gaming table.