Key Info

- Number of players - 4-8

- Typical session length - 2-4 hrs

- Game type - TTRPG

- Location - Online or In-person (in Greater London area)

Overview

Dungeons & Dragons fifth edition (DnD 5e) is the most popular tabletop roleplaying game in the world today. It is a collaborative storytelling game that allows players to use their imagination, creativity and curiosity to create their own characters and embark on adventures together in a fantasy world filled with magic, monsters, and danger.

The game is played with a combination of dice rolls, storytelling, and player choice. The Game Master (GM) creates the world, sets up the adventure, and controls the non-player characters and monsters. The players work together to explore the world, solve puzzles, fight monsters, and complete quests.

In DnD 5e, players use dice to determine the outcome of their actions. They roll dice to attack, defend, cast spells, and determine the success or failure of their actions.

DnD 5e is a collaborative storytelling game that allows players to use their imagination, problem-solving skills, and creativity to explore a fantasy world filled with danger and adventure. It is a game that encourages players to work together, take risks, and have fun.

Location

Sessions can take place online or in-person (in the Greater London area). If online then the players will require a device that can run a simple piece of software called a virtual table top (VTT), which is browser based and free to use. They will also need to have access to a device capable of handling video conference calls.

What’s involved?

The Games Initiative will design, plan and run a session of DnD 5e for you, specifically catered to your preferences. Sessions can either be a self-contained single session adventure, or part of an on-going campaign. On-going campaigns will typically involve players creating their own characters and voting on what adventure they want to participate in from a list of 15+ (and growing) options. Campaigns can range in length from a short arc of roughly 6 game sessions, to a year plus and anything in-between.

What’s provided?

In-Person

You will need to provide a table, chairs and a room in which to play. Everything else is handled by The Games Initiative, who will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything else that the players need in-order to play:

- Character sheets

- Miniatures

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Online

The Games Initiative will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything that the players need in-order to play:

- Shared access to the player content (including character creation) on the VTT

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Key Info

- Number of players - 4-8

- Typical session length - 2-4hrs

- Game type - TTRPG

- Location - Online or In-person (in Greater London area)

Overview

Pathfinder 2nd Edition (Pathfinder 2e) is a tabletop role-playing game published by Paizo Inc. It is a continuation of the Pathfinder franchise, which was first published as a spin-off of the third edition of Dungeons & Dragons. Pathfinder 2e builds upon the original Pathfinder system, while also introducing new rules and features.

While comparable to DnD 5e, in that both are tabletop roleplaying games with similar fantasy themes, Pathfinder 2e offers some clear differences in terms of the level of character customisation, combat mechanics, casting magic, difficulty scaling and lore/setting.

In general overall, the differences between Pathfinder 2e and Dungeons and Dragons 5e come down to a balance between complexity and accessibility. Pathfinder 2e offers more detailed rules and customisation options, but requires more investment and time to get familiar with, while DnD 5e offers a simpler and more streamlined experience that is easier for new players to pick up and play.

Location

Sessions can take place online or in-person (in the Greater London area). If online then the players will require a device that can run a simple piece of software called a virtual table top (VTT), which is browser based and free to use. They will also need to have access to a device capable of handling video conference calls.

What’s involved?

The Games Initiative will design, plan and run a session of Pathfinder 2e for you, specifically catered to your preferences. Sessions can either be a self-contained single session adventure, or part of an on-going campaign. On-going campaigns will typically involve players creating their own characters and voting on what adventure they want to participate in from a list of 5+ (and growing) options. Campaigns can range in length from a short arc of roughly 6 game sessions, to a year plus and anything in-between.

What’s provided?

In-Person

You will need to provide a table, chairs and a room in which to play. Everything else is handled by The Games Initiative, who will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything that the players need in-order to play:

- Character sheets

- Miniatures

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Online

The Games Initiative will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything that the players need in-order to play:

- Shared access to the player content (including character creation) on the VTT

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Key Info

- Number of players - 4-8

- Typical session length - 2-4hrs

- Game type - TTRPG

- Location - Online or In-person (in Greater London area)

Overview

Starfinder is a science fiction tabletop role-playing game published by Paizo Inc. It is set in a futuristic universe where advanced technology, interstellar travel, and alien encounters are the norm. The game is designed to offer a blend of classic science fiction tropes with fantasy elements, such as magic and otherworldly creatures.

One of the key features of Starfinder is its use of a lot of the game mechanics from Pathfinder 2e, with some modifications and additions to suit the science fiction setting; such as starship combat rules

Location

Sessions can take place online or in-person (in the Greater London area). If online then the players will require a device that can run a simple piece of software called a virtual table top (VTT), which is browser based and free to use. They will also need to have access to a device capable of handling video conference calls.

What’s involved?

The Games Initiative will design, plan and run a session of Starfinder for you, specifically catered to your preferences. Sessions can either be a self-contained single session adventure, or part of an on-going campaign. On-going campaigns will typically involve players creating their own characters and voting on what adventure they want to participate in from a list of 5+ (and growing) options. Campaigns can range in length from a short arc of roughly 6 game sessions, to a year plus and anything in-between.

What’s provided?

In-Person

You will need to provide a table, chairs and a room in which to play. Everything else is handled by The Games Initiative, who will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything that the players need in-order to play:

- Character sheets

- Miniatures

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Online

The Games Initiative will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything that the players need in-order to play:

- Shared access to the player content (including character creation) on the VTT

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Key Info

- Number of players - 4-8

- Typical session length - 2-4hrs

- Game type - TTRPG

- Location - Online or In-person (in Greater London area)

Overview

Esper Genesis is a science fiction tabletop RPG set in a distant future where space travel has meant humanity has colonized the galaxy and encountered alien civilizations. Players take on various roles, exploring the cosmos, engaging in diplomacy, and facing thrilling challenges.

Using the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons as its foundation, Esper Genesis offers a diverse selection of races, classes, and backgrounds, allowing players to create unique characters with advanced technology and ‘Esper’ abilities; enabling characters to manipulate energy, read minds, and reshape reality.

With its vast array of worlds, immersive storytelling, and strategic combat, Esper Genesis provides a rich and flexible gaming experience. Campaigns can feature diverse environments, political intrigue, and epic space battles.

Location

Sessions can take place online or in-person (in the Greater London area). If online then the players will require a device that can run a simple piece of software called a virtual table top (VTT), which is browser based and free to use. They will also need to have access to a device capable of handling video conference calls.

What’s involved?

The Games Initiative will design, plan and run a session of Esper Genesis for you, specifically catered to your preferences. Sessions can either be a self-contained single session adventure, or part of an on-going campaign. On-going campaigns will typically involve players creating their own characters and voting on what adventure they want to participate in from a list of options. Campaigns can range in length from a short arc of roughly 6 game sessions, to a year plus and anything in-between.

What’s provided?

In-Person

You will need to provide a table, chairs and a room in which to play. Everything else is handled by The Games Initiative, who will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything that the players need in-order to play:

- Character sheets

- Miniatures

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Online

The Games Initiative will act as the game master for the session, as well as providing everything that the players need in-order to play:

- Shared access to the player content (including character creation) on the VTT

- Battle maps

- Props/handouts

- Session summaries for on-going campaigns

Key Info

- Number of players - 6-25

- Typical game length - 60-90 mins

- Game type - Social deduction game

- Location - Online or In-person (in Greater London area)

Overview

Werewolf, also known as Mafia, is a social deduction party game that can be played with a small or large groups of people. In this game, players are divided into two groups: the werewolves and the villagers. The objective of the game is for the villagers to identify and eliminate all the werewolves before they are all killed.

At the start of the game, each player is secretly assigned a role as either a werewolf or a villager. The number of werewolves and villagers can vary depending on the number of players. The game is divided into two phases: the night phase and the day phase.

During the night phase, all players close their eyes, and the game moderator calls on the werewolves to open their eyes and silently choose a villager to kill. The moderator then calls on any other players with special roles, to use their abilities. Once all special abilities have been used, the moderator announces that the night has ended and asks all players to open their eyes.

During the day phase, the players must discuss and try to identify the werewolves among them. Each player can use their own reasoning to make accusations, defend themselves, and vote on who they believe the werewolves are. Once the players have decided on who they think the werewolf is, they vote to eliminate that player. If the player they vote for is a werewolf, that player is eliminated, and the villagers are one step closer to winning. If the player is a villager, then the werewolves have successfully avoided suspicion and are one step closer to winning.

The game continues with alternating night and day phases until either all the werewolves are eliminated, or the werewolves have killed all the villagers.

Werewolf is a game that requires players to use their observation and deduction skills to determine who the werewolves are, while also trying to avoid suspicion themselves. It is a game that can be played with large groups of people, making it a popular party game that is both fun and challenging.

Location

Sessions can take place online or in-person (in the Greater London area). If online then the players will require access to a device capable of handling video conference calls.

What’s involved?

The Games Initiative will act as the moderator, facilitating the running of the game. Different rules variations of the game can be discussed beforehand and run according to your preferences. Due to the nature of the game, if played online, then each player will need to be in a separate room to every other player

What’s provided?

In-person

- Special role cards

Key Info

- Number of players - 2-5

- Typical scenario length - 90-120 mins

- Game type - Board game

- Location - In-person (in Greater London area)

Overview

Gloomhaven (and it’s sequel Frosthaven) is a cooperative tabletop board game created by Isaac Childres and published by Cephalofair Games. It is a dungeon-crawling adventure game that is designed to be played by 2-5 players.

In Gloomhaven, players take on the roles of mercenaries, each with their own unique abilities and motivations, who have been hired to explore and conquer the world of Gloomhaven. The game is played in a series of scenarios, each with its own set of objectives and challenges.

The game is played on a modular board, made up of various tiles that can be arranged in different configurations for each scenario. Players move their characters around the board, exploring new areas, fighting monsters, and completing objectives.

Combat in Gloomhaven is turn-based, with each player taking a turn to perform a series of actions. These actions can include moving, attacking, using special abilities, and more. The combat system is designed to be strategic and challenging, requiring players to work together to overcome tough opponents, with teamwork and communication being key.

One of the key features of Gloomhaven is its unique character progression system. As players complete scenarios and gain experience, they can level up their characters, unlocking new abilities and perks. Each character also has a personal quest that they are trying to accomplish, adding an additional layer of depth and motivation to the game.

Gloomhaven is also known for its deep and immersive storyline, which is revealed over the course of multiple scenarios. The game includes a detailed world map, a rich history, and a variety of interesting characters and factions to discover.

Overall, Gloomhaven is a complex and challenging game that rewards strategic thinking, teamwork, and creative problem-solving, making it a popular choice for gamers who enjoy immersive and challenging board games. Think of this as DnD without the roleplaying.

Location

There is no online option (currently) for Gloomhaven; so sessions are only available in-person (in the Greater London area).

What’s involved?

The Games Initiative will setup the board and run a scenario in the game, controlling the monster actions and streamlining the Gloomhaven experience.

What’s provided?

The Games Initiative will provide the game itself and control the monster actions for the session, as well as providing advice and everything else that the players need in-order to play:

- Character cards

- Miniatures

- Scenario maps

- Updating the world map

Got a game that you want to try that isn’t listed here - send me the details and we can work out how to include it within your games night!