PRE-ORDER a physical copy at the bottom of the page!

Physical copies will be mailed out in November 2024, after fulfillment is completed for the crowdfunding campaign.

Free community copies are also available at the bottom of the page.

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What would a character do upon confronting their author?

Death of the Author is a 1-2 player tarot TTRPG about a character fighting for agency within their own story. Over the course of five chapters, the character attempts to shape the narrative by twisting the scenes written by their author.

With a deck of tarot cards, tell a story of character autonomy and authorial intent. What messages does the author send throughout the character’s story? What happens when the character finally confronts their author?

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About

Death of the Author can be played either solo or with a friend, over the course of 2-4 hours. All that is needed to play is a deck of tarot cards and a way to record your story. You do not need to be familiar with tarot to play.

Gameplay involves drawing cards for Scene Prompts, which describe scenes written by the Author. The Character then has a chance to modify the scene prompts, changing the story in the process. Each Chapter, the Character can use one Reversal and one Defiance:

• Reversal - Flip the card to receive a different Scene Prompt
• Defiance - Completely rewrite the underlined part of the Scene Prompt

However, changing the narrative brings the attention of the Author, who might choose to retaliate as they rewrite the Scene.

Death of the Author is a hack of Anamnesis, twisting the original mechanics in new and surprising ways. The game is 44 pages, including covers.

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Testimonials from Playtesters

A thought-provoking examination of the relationship between character and author, and what it takes to wrest control of one's own story away from the confines imposed upon it. Every writer has had the experience of characters who don't want to cooperate with your story. Death of the Author gives you insight into why. 

~ S. Kaiya J.

Death of the Author is a mindfuck in the best way. By the end of my playthrough I felt a little like Charlie Kaufman and a little like a character in a Charlie Kaufman movie.

~ Taylor Felicity

Have you ever seen yourself in a story you wrote? In a character? What if they looked back? Fight for freedom as a character in your own tale, against its Author. Struggle with them, understand them, confront them and find out what's waiting for you beyond your ending.

~ Danny R. R. Travis

A very meta experience that got me thinking about my real life story, who writes it for me, and how much control I'd want to take back.

~ Leam

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Actual Plays

Indie RPG Stream with the Kurt! 💀📚 Death of the Author

A VOD of Amanda McKnight and Kurt Refling playing the entirety of Death of the Author (playtest draft). The Author is producing a radio show, and the Character is the main antagonist.

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Interviews

Death of the Author: An Interview with Sam Leigh - Episode 140 on Undercommon Taste

Bonus: Q&A with Sam Leigh and Death of The Author! on What Am I Rolling?

Not DnD | Death of the Author with Jessica Hancock from EN World

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Further Development

The downloads currently include the pages and spreads versions of the game. Additional materials are in-progress and expected to be completed in November 2024. These materials will be available to anyone who has purchased the game and will include:

• A designer's commentary version
• An audiobook version
• A gameplay tracking sheet

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The Team

Author - Samantha Leigh

Artist - Victor Winter

Layout artist - James Hanna

Editor - Marx Shepherd

NO Generative AI was used in the making of this game.

Death of the Author was crowdfunded on Backerkit. Thank you to the 427 backers who helped make this game a reality!

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PRE-ORDER a physical copy at the bottom of the page!

Physical copies will be mailed out in November 2024, after fulfillment is completed for the crowdfunding campaign.

Free community copies are also available at the bottom of the page.