BMD: First Blood
The first shots ring out. The war is on!
The time has come: BMD’s initial release is ready to go. If you are (or were ever) a paid subscriber to our publication here, your copy is already sent! Check your email.
Otherwise, you can purchase BMD directly at Primeval Publishing’s Shop. Once you own BMD (any edition), you own and are entitled to all future versions of that edition. When the big 1.0 version comes out, you already own it! We appreciate everyone wanting to take a look at it now so that it can more quickly and effectively achieve its peak form!
What is BMD?
Simply put, BMD is a futuristic, wargame-infused RPG about slaughtering aliens. The gameplay and mechanical logic is modeled closely after modern military combat, with a special emphasis on infantry. But this project is much, much more.
BMD is a True Contender RPG, aspiring to join the greats (such as AD&D, Traveller, and ACKS) through adopting their wisdom and applying it to a new type of game. In its completion, it is envisioned as a Complete Game System requiring no support outside the rulebook nor leaning improperly on the mental & creative energies of the players running the game.
Its systems architecture is designed to fulfill the promises of wargames where the big names (e.g. 40k, WHFB) failed. BMD is a wargame but not an isolated battle arena nor skirmish simulator—it is a vast gameworld across which spans an ongoing war between aliens and Terrans, led by your characters who act as commanders.1
BMD is not a heartbreaker game—it does not derive from or begin from any game system as a template. As such, it may initially feel unfamiliar until you establish your bearings. The game was envisioned from scratch and designed around a core idea: galactic warfare. The nature of RPGs and dice mechanics dictates that many pieces will be recognizable and serve familiar purposes. However, every game element, every rule, every procedure was tailored specifically to serve the rules ecosystem of BMD.
If you are intrigued, this roundup post is a great source for detailed information.
What You Are Getting
BMD: First Blood is an initial version of the game—the first public step on the path to a 1.0 version. Our aim is to have two further revisions: the one after First Blood to incorporate some elements which didn’t make the design cut, and the last refinement revision to bring us to 1.0—the basis for BMD in print.
Two Editions
The Soldier Edition and Warrior Edition will apply to all current & future versions of BMD. As of the date of this posting, these editions are functionally (nearly) identical. But their offerings will diverge as we continue towards a 1.0 version.
[Our most fanatical supporters know of a mystical third edition, the Master Edition, whose benefits are slated for those chosen few alone.]
The Soldier Edition is very straightforward: a no-frills, complete rulebook. At 1.0, an owner of the Soldier Edition will have all the same rules as every other edition; BMD will always be a Complete Game System in any form!
The Warrior Edition will be the full-spectrum BMD experience: full rulebook with full artwork (no AI art ever—we celebrate Terran supremacy), additional supporting materials & mockups, and print-quality presentation as we near the 1.0 version. Because the Warrior Edition will be the basis for the print version, it will benefit from many subtle niceties and extra attention.
Whichever edition you decide to get, we salute you! Your support makes it possible to pursue our mission of providing a valuable catalogue for RPG enthusiasts. We are absolutely dedicated to creating a True Contender RPG, revitalizing the RPG hobby for its core contingent, and building a real future for RPGs through improved practices and designs.
Things to Come
The upcoming revision after First Blood will include
additional design work to support prescriptive play in more places
fixes to problems or “bugs” discovered during this deployment
a significant presentation pass focusing on conciseness, readability, and usability
a deliberate approach toward the game’s final aesthetic (currently, everything is merely ‘functional’)
Some notable items which have been “pulled back” are:
Large Vehicle Blueprints
the initial design was cumbersome, incomplete, and sometimes ambiguous
a new design language for segment-based construction is in active development already
Static Space Stations
previously, same issue as Large Vehicle Blueprints
two new designs are being tested
Space Logistics management system
this was not achieving its intended effects (very cumbersome initial design)
currently, space logistics is abstractly handled at end-points, but a whole-path design is coming
Uncharted Systems
Unique encounters were not supporting the galactic war
the purpose and utility of Uncharted Systems is being retooled in line with new Space Logistics
Expanded items
many items were held back as some of their designs added great friction to gameplay
items will slowly find their way back in when their designs are reconsidered (many will be combined or simplified or so on)
Better presentation
as the loose ends near completion, a great deal more attention will be paid to the rulebook’s look and feel
for now the presentation is strictly utilitarian
Join the War
The time for aliens is past, their lies are plain, and their lives are forfeit! The time to strike is now. Lock helmets, ready arms, and move out!
We’re headed to the invite-only Primeval Publishing discord server [click warning: discord invite link]. The link given here expires in 7 days—please reach out if you missed the time window; we welcome all warriors willing to fight!
Thank you for your readership! Primeval Patterns thrives on the basis of the sincere interest and support of hobbyists like you.
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With work, we can achieve TTRPG Supremacy!
If you are a true fanatic, take the oath of battle and become a paid subscriber here on Substack. This directly supports the war effort (and the development of BMD plus the design research on this blog.)
BONUS: paid subscribers can read extensive BMD development blogs and are guaranteed a PDF copy of BMD!
Astute readers will hear this as Total Nonstop Braunstein!
Purchased and read, looking forward to playing
Picking this up today. Work day can’t end fast enough.