SHIFT RPG - All-Ages Collaborative Roleplaying Game
Created by SHIFT RPG
A new tabletop roleplaying game that lets you collaboratively build, create & play in any world you can imagine. Your World, Your Rules
Latest Updates from Our Project:
Update 5: Taking a Risk
8 months ago
– Wed, Oct 15, 2025 at 06:51:23 AM
Risky heads by Antonio Demico
Taking a Risk
When designing SHIFT, we knew we were taking a risk with creating a system with no set world attached to it.
Some of the greatest TTRPGs, from Blades in the Dark to Mork Borg, are known for the setting and vibes that their books showcase. These systems have have a distinct look and feel to them.
We wanted SHIFT to be able to divorce itself from that home base. So, instead we devised a mascot, one that could be everything and anyone that you would need it to be. In comes Risky!
First concept sketches by Justin Chan (we chose C)
Second batch of concepts by Just Chan showcasing the multifaceted nature of Risky.
A Link to Classics
We took cues from games that we enjoyed and felt represented us. When working with Justin Chan (Spelunky, Rogue Legacy, Bugsnax) to help us devise this character, these were the inspirations we provided:
The Legend of Zelda manual illustrations. So much charm!
Link as a pink bunny in Zelda: A Link to the Past.
Tunic Manual, while recent, we really enjoyed the revival in style
Moogles from Final Fantasy
What's in a Name? Why Risky?
Risky was named after co-creator Graeme Fotheringham's social handle "RiskyPixels". Between that and the Risky dice mechanic in SHIFT, we felt that the name Risky was fun and gave a sense of who the players of SHIFT are.
That, and it's a much better than "Shifty", though we'll save that for Risky's nemesis.
Risky directing the game
Connective Threads
Some of you have already noticed this: in the World Spark illustrations there are references to Risky! We wanted the character to be around in some capacity when it came to the World Sparks. Originally we were going to have all the characters be rabbits, but we think this is a better compromise. :D
Erebus Mythos: Vampyr is a short horror campaign inspired by Greek folklore and the strange events recorded in the village of Sofiko in 1846. Designed for use with Shadowdark RPG.
Set in 19th-century Greece, a land torn between faith and reason, where superstition lingers and the line between myth and reality blurs.
Experience a new kind of adventure drawn from real folklore, with new systems like Evil Eye, Stain, Ritual Magic, and new classes and backgrounds. Easy to learn, ready to play, grab the Erebus Mythos Quickstart and play right away the introductory adventure, Erebus Mythos: Chymera.
Update #4: SHIFT Games in our Discord + The Return of the Daily SHIFT Trait!
8 months ago
– Fri, Oct 10, 2025 at 07:28:43 AM
Hello backers!
Thanks again to everyone who has already helped make the SHIFT Core Rules Kickstarter a massive success. We just wanted to send out a quick update about what's happening in the SHIFT Discord- it's hoppin'! Risky would be proud. :') Read on to find out how you can get involved!
The Daily SHIFT Returns!
Starting today, we'll be sharing a new SHIFT Trait everyday on our social media channels and in our Discord. Every week will have a theme - it might be a different piece of pop culture, a genre or just a vibe - and every week members of our Discord will vote on what theme we will explore next! Join the Discord and get in on the Daily SHIFT fun!
We're starting the first week off with some equipment and abilities from Hades II! Here's todays:
Every weekend while the Kickstarter is running, we have some awesome SHIFT GMs hosting games in the SHIFT Discord server. No experience with SHIFT (or TTRPGs in general) is required for these one-shots: all are welcome!
ONE SHOT: Dorado Station: ClaimSquatters, Go Home! Time: Saturday, October 11, 2025 at 9:00 AM Eastern
ONE SHOT: Dorado Station: ClaimSquatters, Go Home! Time: Sunday, October 12, 2025 at 1:00 PM Eastern
ONE SHOT: Dragon Knights of Ylgara: Back from the Brink Time: Sunday, October 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
ONE SHOT: Dragon Knights of Ylgara: Back from the Brink Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 9:00 AM
ONE SHOT: Dragon Knights of Ylgara: Back from the Brink Time: Saturday, October 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM
One Shot Summaries
Dorado Station: ClaimSquatters, Go Home!
Description: You and your crew have scraped together some half-decent equipment, filled out all the appropriate paperwork (in triplicate) and you are now finally ready to mine your claim! Unfortunately, you’ve discovered a couple of rival prospectors have squatted on your plot, and you need to show them who’s boss. Take them out, scare them off, or (if you’re desperate) make a deal with them - the choice is yours!
Dragon Knights of Ylgara: Back from the Brink
Description: Your cadres' knight-captain has gone missing in the outskirts of the city of Refuge and you and your band of newly minted Dragon-Knights must brave the terrifying Abhorrent spawn and bring the captain back… dead or alive.
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Community
Want to find like minded RPG fans? Join our Socials and Discord!
The horror world spark will be added to the physical book and be available as a PDF!
Blissville: A 50’s inspired horror setting by Graeme Fotheringham. Get caught up in the B-Movie nightmare of Blissville, where every night the friendly townsfolk turn into monsters. Unravel the mystery of the town and keep yourself from becoming a monster as well.
What's Next?
$75,000 - World Spark 4 - Romance
If we hit $75,000 the Romance world spark will be unlocked!
Regencia: A romantic setting by Alex Roberts. Explore a peaceful world of romance, intrigue and social gatherings where you try to find love and excitement while fending off the dastardly rumor mill.
Available as a pdf and added to the book!
New Stretch Goal!
$125,000 - Alchemy VTT
You’ve asked and we’ve answered: if we reach $125,000 SHIFT will be on Alchemy VTT!
We’ll bring the easy to pick up mechanics of SHIFT to the Alchemy VTT platform so you can build virtual SHIFT worlds as well. When we hit $125,000, a code to access SHIFT on Alchemy will be added to all reward tiers!
WRASTLEVANIA is a metroidvania tabletop roleplaying game combining awesome wrestling action with legacy game elements, QR code interactions, & easy to learn rules!
Update #2: First Stretch Goal Unlocked! + New Stretch Goal
8 months ago
– Wed, Oct 08, 2025 at 06:59:18 AM
Hey Backers!
Thanks for an amazing day 1! Not only did we fund, we hit our first stretch goal! We're really excited to be able to bring you SHIFT and all the different worlds we've developed, so be sure to share the project so we can unlock the rest!
And if you missed it, we had our Q&A livestream yesterday, see below to see the chat with Jordan (co-creator), Sebastian (community manager) and and our guest Stellaluna (SHIFT ambassador) as they talk all things SHIFT!
Unlocked - $25,000 - SHIFT Open Gaming License
With your help, SHIFT is open for everyone to make amazing games! We can’t wait to see what this fantastic community will create! We will be releasing the license when we release the final pdf!
What's Next? $50K: World Spark 3 - Horror
Get caught up in the B-Movie nightmare of Blissville, where every night the friendly townsfolk turn into monsters.
One-Shot Wonders is a bestselling series of D&D adventures. Volume 1 and Volume 2 are both designed so you can prep quickly and then run your game with everything right in front of you. No more flipping between pages and endless notes – just jump straight into the session!
Want to find like minded RPG fans, design with SHIFT, or try it out as a player? Join the SHIFT Discord (where we're running games every weekend this month) and follow SHIFT on socials!
