The Secret World North America TTRPG - When Everything is True, Reality Gets Weird

Hey waffle fam! Josh here, and boy do I have something wild to share with you today. While I usually focus on PC gaming and tech, every now and then something from the tabletop world grabs my attention - and this one's got me more excited than a kid in a dice store. If you caught the episode on the Zero Point Report podcast last year, in which myself, Ocho, and JimmytheRabbit might remember how much fun we had running through a quick session of The Secret World TTRPG. Well, get ready, because there's more coming!

Star Anvil Studios is bringing us something special - The Secret World North America TTRPG, the first major regional expansion for their core Secret World TTRPG, and it's coming in both Savage Worlds and 5E flavors. If you missed their core book (which was successfully funded last year), don't worry - this expansion is designed to work seamlessly with it while focusing specifically on the weird and wonderful supernatural happenings across North America. Now, if you're anything like me, you're probably thinking, "Josh, what makes this one different from the pile of urban fantasy TTRPGs already out there?" Well, my friends, this is where it gets interesting.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/star-anvil-studios/the-secret-world-north-america/description

The tagline "Everything is true!" isn't just clever marketing - it's the foundation of what makes this game absolutely bonkers (in the best possible way). Imagine a world where every conspiracy theory, urban legend, and paranormal story you've ever heard… is real. All of it. Every single weird thing your conspiracy theorist uncle posted about on Facebook? Yep, probably true in this setting. And now we're getting a deep dive into how all these conspiracies and supernatural events specifically manifest across North America, from the mysterious happenings at Skinwalker Ranch to the secrets buried beneath Mount Weather.

Okay, waffle fam, let me geek out for a minute here because this TTRPG isn't coming out of nowhere - it's based on the absolutely incredible Secret World Legends MMO, and that's a big deal. If you haven't played it (seriously, where have you been?), Secret World Legends is this amazing shared-world action RPG that completely flips the script on how supernatural storytelling works in games.

What makes the video game so special - and why I'm extra excited about this TTRPG adaptation - is how it handles its modern-day supernatural setting. We're talking about a world where you can hop from the streets of London to the scorching deserts of Egypt, from the dark forests of Transylvania to a creepy New England town that would make Stephen King proud. And everywhere you go, there's this perfect blend of real-world locations and supernatural weirdness.

The game is famous for its Investigation Missions, which are basically like if Sherlock Holmes had to solve mysteries while fighting vampires. You actually have to use your brain, folks - we're talking about solving complex puzzles, doing real research, and connecting dots in ways that most games wouldn't dare attempt. It's this aspect that I'm particularly stoked to see translated into tabletop format.

Why I'm Stoked About This

Look, I've played my fair share of urban fantasy games, but what gets me excited about The Secret World is how it takes our familiar modern world and turns it into this layers-deep onion of weird. It's like if The X-Files had a baby with Men in Black, and that baby was raised by the History Channel's Ancient Aliens guy.

The fact that they're offering both Savage Worlds and 5E versions is pretty brilliant too. We all know Savage Worlds handles pulpy action like a champ, and 5E's accessibility means more players can jump right in without learning a completely new system. It's like getting to choose between chocolate and vanilla, except both flavors are actually secretly made by ancient Illuminati ice cream makers. (See what I did there? Everything is true!)

What You Need to Know

The Kickstarter is running from January and has 24 days to go, with a goal of $50,000. Now, I know what you're thinking - that's not a small amount of money. But considering the scope of what they're trying to create here, it makes sense. We're talking about a full-fledged RPG that needs to cover everything from ancient mysteries to modern conspiracies, all while making it playable and fun.

The Setting's Potential

Imagine running a game where your players could:

• Investigate Bigfoot sightings in the Pacific Northwest
• Uncover ancient alien technology in Area 51
• Deal with vampire politics in New Orleans
• Track down chupacabras in Texas
• Navigate the underground tunnels beneath Denver International Airport

And here's the kicker - in this game, all of these things could be happening simultaneously, and they'd all make sense within the setting. It's like someone took every "weird news" story ever and said, "Yeah, that's canon."

My Takes and Thoughts

What really gets me excited about this project is the potential for storytelling. As a GM, you're not just limited to one type of story or genre. Want to run a noir detective story? Go for it. Feeling more like an action-packed monster hunt? That works too. Secret society political intrigue? Absolutely.

The dual-system approach is smart because it caters to different play-styles. Savage Worlds players can enjoy the fast, furious, and fun approach to modern supernatural adventure, while 5E players get to use a system they're comfortable with while exploring this bonkers setting.

Why You Should Care

If you're anything like me, you love games that give you tools to tell amazing stories while still leaving room for creativity. The Secret World North America seems to be building exactly that - a framework where literally anything could be true, but you get to decide how all these truths fit together.

The source material here is absolutely stellar. Secret World Legends has over 100 hours of story content, and it's not your typical MMO fare. We're talking about mature, complex storytelling with high-quality voice acting and narratives that actually make you think. The game's three main factions - the Illuminati, Templars, and Dragon - offer different perspectives on how to handle supernatural threats, which could translate into some amazing faction play in the TTRPG. Imagine running a campaign where your players have to navigate not just the supernatural threats, but also the complex political web of these ancient secret societies!

Final Thoughts

Look, I've seen a lot of RPG Kickstarters come and go, but this one has really caught my attention. The combination of "everything is true" as a premise, dual-system support, and the focus on North American weird stuff hits a sweet spot that I didn't even know I was looking for.

Having played Secret World Legends, I can tell you that this setting is perfect for tabletop adaptation. The video game already emphasizes investigation, problem-solving, and character-driven storytelling - all elements that translate beautifully to the tabletop format.

The campaign has 24 days left to hit their $50,000 goal, and I'm really hoping they make it. This is exactly the kind of creative, ambitious project that the TTRPG community should be supporting.

What do you think, waffle fam? Are you ready to dive into a world where every conspiracy theory is true? Drop a comment below and let me know what kind of character you'd want to play in this setting. I'm thinking maybe a former crypto-zoologist turned social media influencer who accidentally stumbled onto REAL evidence of the supernatural. But that's just me!

Until next time, keep rolling those dice and questioning reality!

-Josh