Backer Playtest Packet 1!
10 days ago
– Sun, Jul 19, 2026 at 06:30:10 PM
Hey everyone!
As mentioned in the last update, Titus and I have been hard at work editing and rewriting the Lite version you already have into something more polished and cohesive. While we're still working on some of the scenarios and the new campaign (Curse of Camelot), I'm excited to share that I've just released a large "playtest packet" via your BackerKit Digital Downloads! Note that you'll need to have completed your survey to access this download.
This packet contains the entirety of the rules text for the book as it exists in its current state, as well as two scenarios (Dead Harvest and Dugal ng Tikbalang). While it has been through one round of editing and heavy rewrites from the original Lite version, it is not done being edited. It has (mostly) not been given sensitivity reading/consulting. Formatting is almost non-existent in this version and won't be added until layout. There are no illustrations in this packet, so we understand that it's a dense wall of text at the moment. Screenshots of prototype character sheets, etc., will be replaced with images of the real final sheets in the final version.
If you would like to give us feedback on this packet, there is a link to a feedback form at the top of the playtest packet. Please take the time to read through the packet, at least the Introduction, Chapter 1: Character Creation, and Chapter 2: Playing the Game before submitting feedback, although playing a game using the packet is definitely encouraged! All questions about Chapter 3: Director's Tools and Chapter 4: Scenarios are optional as we assume not everyone giving feedback will be a Director and may not want to read those sections.
The questions we're asking to get feedback for this packet will focus on clarity, organization, content, and the accuracy and usefulness of ratings (Archetype, adversary, scenarios), but there will be a spot at the end to include other comments you might have.
I plan to leave the feedback form open for about a month, though we may start incorporating feedback sooner than that. I don't know how many iterations of this we'll do - probably not that many, but it depends on the quality and results of the feedback we get.
Thanks for your support, and we look forward to getting your feedback!
- Josh
June/July Progress Update
28 days ago
– Wed, Jul 01, 2026 at 03:05:45 PM
Hey everyone!
Apologies for the slightly later update from last month. I got it into my head that I'd sent one already, but it was actually mid-May. Last update, I asked if you all wanted and would have use for Archetype randomizer cards, and the answer was an overwhelming yes, with very few people entirely uninterested, so those are getting added to the Role Cards deck and the deck will be upgraded to have a tuck box instead of coming in a cellophane envelope.
Also, there were a few backers who pledged for a digital-only copy of the game who also already owned the Lite version, which unlocked a free pin. I'd originally intended only physical pledges to be eligible for those pins, but I accidentally added them to digital pledges as well. If you're one of those backers and don't want to pay for shipping, send me an email at [email protected] to let me know and I'll get it removed from your pledge for you.
Writing Progress
Titus has been hard at work writing the new campaign we unlocked, the Curse of Camelot! I haven't read it much yet as it's still a work in progress, but it sounds like it's going to be very cool. It's also apparently going to have a use for the aforementioned Archetype randomizer cards.
Editing Progress
I've been heads down editing and working with Titus to rewrite portions of the book for clarity, organization, and consistency of style, and we're closing in on a solid 2nd draft of everything outside of the scenarios (which are still a work in progress). My current plan is to release a new text-only version of the game to all backers once we finish that up so you can have 1) all the mechanics for the new archetypes, 2) updated combat mechanics, and 3) give us feedback on the book as it currently stands!
It's rare that I get to work on a system and incorporate as much feedback from the community as I've already been able to through the One of Us Will Die Discord server, so I'm hoping that we can work in another round of responses to the updated text while we wait for art and sensitivity consulting work to be done.
I've also started putting together a style guide for the game for when we eventually release an SRD and an open license for people to publish their own homebrew materials (which people have already been sharing in the Discord!), which I hope will help anyone wanting to make their publications match the official writing.
Art Progress
Speaking of art: I've gotten Daniel the descriptions for all of the remaining Archetype illustrations, but he's been busy and hasn't started on them yet. I'm hoping to have some sketches or even finished works to share next month, but I'm still waiting to hear when his availability opens up again.
Thanks again for all your support!
- Josh
Surveys coming soon, book upgrades, TWO streams to watch, and another poll!
2 months ago
– Fri, May 29, 2026 at 09:42:26 AM
Hey everyone!
I'm still waiting for the Kickstarter funds to pay out, but in the meantime I've already put almost a dozen hours into the editing process - lots of reorganization and clean up happening as we polish the Lite edition manuscript into the final!
I also have another poll for you all to answer at the bottom of the update.
Surveys and What To Expect
Here's what you should know about BackerKit surveys (or a refresher and campaign-specific info for those already familiar):
- Sometime before Wednesday next week I'll send out the "smoke test". This goes out to about 5% of backers (randomly spread across pledge tiers). Once 90% of them have responded, or after about 48 hours, and assuming no issues, I'll send out the remaining surveys to everyone else.
- You'll get an email to the address you pledged with asking you to fill out the survey. I have had issues in the past with Apple ID emails, so if you don't get a survey and you use one, that might be why.
- The survey will ask you a few initial questions depending on your pledge tier (if you pledged for a tier that includes a VTT module, this is where you'll tell me which platform you want)
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You'll be able to add on additional items to your pledge. Payment for these items will be collected later alongside shipping and taxes, and you can return to your survey later to make changes up until I lock orders/addresses for shipping.
- PDFs and any other digital files will be distributed via BackerKit's Digital Downloads. The Lite edition will be made available right away, so you should get access to that as soon as your survey is filled out.
While you technically have several months to fill out your survey, make sure you do it soon so you don't forget! The only times I've ever had backers not get their rewards is if they don't fill out their survey.
Late Pledges Closing
When the surveys go out, I'll be closing Late Pledges on Kickstarter and opening Pre-Orders on BackerKit.
Streams!
We have two streams happening this weekend!
- Titus is going to be hosting a special stream on being a Director for One of Us Will Die tomorrow morning at 6am US Central. This session will cover topics like safety and player comfort, tone and atmosphere, genre and Archetypes, personalizing your game, improvisation, and homebrew. Hop in the Discord to watch this one!
- Then, at 9pm US Central, Titus will be running a game for the Mythic Family actual play show.
Both of these streams will be recorded, so if they're not at a good time of day for you you can watch them back later!
Book Upgrades!
I looked at doing deluxe upgrades as an alt cover option, and it was significantly more expensive than just applying the UV spot gloss and two-color foil stamping to every copy (they charge extra per copy to make a 2nd cover option at all). So...I'm upgrading all the books! 80% of you said you were interested in having the upgraded version, so it just made sense to do it.
This does cost more for us to make, so if you want to help cover some of the increased costs you can use the Tip Jar in the survey to add a bit extra to your pledge. Or you can buy more add-ons if you also want more One of Us Will Die!
Poll Question
I had another question for you all! If I expanded the Role Cards pack to include Archetype randomizers, would you use them? I could also see them being handy for displaying your Archetype outside of your player screen since during standard play everyone knows each others' Archetypes.
They don't cost too much extra to add (and would be at no cost to backers), but I want to make sure they'd be used if I made them. Like the Role Cards, these would also be foil stamped. This upgrade would also add a tuck box rather than a resealable cellophane envelope for storage.
Thanks again for your awesome support! I can't wait for Daniel to get started on more art for the game as soon as the funding comes in.
- Josh
And that's a wrap! What's next?
3 months ago
– Fri, May 15, 2026 at 07:49:57 AM
What a great ending to the campaign! Thanks to all of you, we unlocked a lot of stretch goals, expanding the book's contents tremendously.
Late pledges are still open for a little longer, and then I'll be transitioning to the BackerKit pre-order store for anyone who missed the campaign (which will be linked from the campaign page, so if you know anyone that missed it you can still share the campaign page link and they'll be able to navigate to the pre-order store).
What's Next, and what do you need to know?
Obviously, we now have to make the book! It's already fully written, but I need to edit it, Cassie needs to read through it and give us feedback, and Daniel has to create all the art and put it into layout. But in terms of what you can expect, we'll be using BackerKit for the pledge manager surveys, and I will send those out after about two weeks (once everyone's card has been charged).
Pledges and Surveys
Kickstarter will try for one week to charge your cards. If there is an issue with your card (e.g., if you bank blocked the transaction), Kickstarter will notify you and as long as you get your card updated swiftly your pledge should still go through. If your pledge does not go through, you will have the opportunity to get your card updated and pay for your pledge via the pledge manager (you'll still get a survey).
When you get your survey, you'll have the opportunity to upgrade your pledge, add any add-ons, and enter your shipping information. Payment for all of that will happen much later, closer to fulfillment. This is also when the Lite Edition rules will be shared with backers via BackerKit's Digital Downloads.
Communication
I'll share an update about once a month or whenever there's important info to share (like a date for charging for shipping, or when surveys go out). This will typically be a progress update on writing, art, and/or layout up until the printing order goes out, at which point the updates usually become timeline updates and the occasional preview pictures of rewards as they finish up manufacturing.
If you need help with your pledge, first contact Kickstarter support as they'll be able to help you faster. Once you get your survey, initial help for that should go through BackerKit support. For questions, you can always contact me at [email protected], or in my Discord server (or the One of Us Will Die Discord), and I'll get back to you as soon as I can.
Special Edition Cover??
We may not have reached our 80k stretch goal to upgrade the cover with UV spot gloss and foil stamping, but I wanted to see if there was interest in a hardcover upgrade add-on option that would get you a copy of the book with these luxury upgrades. I need to double check the specifics with the manufacturer, but I believe it should be possible to do. This version of the book would cost $10 more than the base version, and anyone getting a copy of the book will be able to choose to upgrade to it later (including retailers, for any copy of the book they're getting).
But, I need to make sure this is of interest to enough people first. So, if you're interested in that, let me know in the poll below! The poll will close in a few days, so be sure to vote soon.
More Scenarios?
As you know, there was one scenario stretch goal we didn't get to. And Titus has some more he's been working on as well! We currently plan to release these in digital format for separate purchase (similar to the Shield of the City scenario) at a later date.
And I think that about covers it! The next update will probably be in a couple weeks when surveys go out. Thanks again for all your amazing support, and I look forward to getting to work on editing the game!
- Josh
Murder in Malacanang UNLOCKED!
3 months ago
– Thu, May 14, 2026 at 03:07:07 PM
14 down, 2 more to go!
We've unlocked our eighth new scenario with 5 hours left in the campaign! Up next we have our final scenario stretch goal, Amnesia, in which players start the game without knowing what Archetype they're playing, and the big one to upgrade the cover of the book.
I'm also expanding the unlock at 80k: if we get to this stretch goal not only will we upgrade all hardcovers with UV spot gloss, we'll also do foil stamping for the title! I think it would look really good with gold and red.
Pamaslang sa Malacañang
From Titus: "It's a murder mystery in the Philippines' White House. A satire on the country's political circus... and it was written before all the recent stuff happened. All resemblance to any real people living or dead is purely coincidental!"
Thanks again for your incredible support, and I can't wait to see what else we'll unlock before the campaign ends!
- Josh
