Dungeon Degenerates - a casual discussion on some new expansions

[@Keldroc]

Not specific to this video but I just wanted to note that the intro/header clip for this channel is one of the most flawless on KZbin. The low-fi retro "educational video from the '70s" look and sound just perfectly sets the tone for thoughtful videos diving into old school dungeon delving and board gaming. Tells you everything you need to know before you even start watching. Really excellent branding and design work.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thanks!

[@MelvLi]

I'm so glad Leigh Sherpard picked up the torch from Eric Radey. There are definitely some style change in the writing pose and mission design but for a long time I was worried there will be no new mission or encounter contents. Good to see DD is live and well and super stoked with the 3 new boxed expansions

[@giansideros]

Great timing, I just bought the base game last week and I'm already thinking about getting the expansions. 😁

[@fbarbirato]

I think Sean should write the fluff text as he's such a good writer as we can see in the zines. And I believe Eric mentioned that he used to imitate his style of writing the text in the game. And Leigh continue sticking to the rules. There's also a new artist, who did the items and will continue the work. It's looking awesome! The future is bright for Dungeon Degenerates.

[@bernardgodfrey3499]

I'm pleased you've finally received your pledge. I must say after your previous videos on DD and my good friend Lola's advice, I jumped on it as soon as my FLGS had it in stock. Hand of Doom et al. The only thing I didn't get was the Adventurers Pack, which I passed up for the Psychos (the Lore books are jaw dropping stuff). The card packs are great and bring double the variety. I love it when they are referenced by a "If you have this or that." Make the time Daniel, it's well worth it, and I doubt you'll be cursed if you don't. Cheers mate.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Sometimes it’s hard for me to believe that a game this cool exists.

[@dankone1289]

I recently picked this up! Looking forward to trying it out soon.

[@corgibuttz2550]

Ohhh I can't wait to watch this. I have been all over the Dungeon Dive facebook group posting pictures of my games (well, 2 of them, I'm no spammer) the last couple months. This has been by far and away, my favorite game of 2024. It hits so perfect for me in terms of depth and ease of play. The mission structure is one of my favorite parts of the game. Playing through the game different ways w/ different characters. This is my main game, but I've only started 7 campaigns so far. I always play a different path yet. I have yet to actually defeat the hand. I almost did one game though.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It's a great game.

[@dicezart9667]

Just wanted to thank you for introducing me to what are now my two favorite games of all time. SotLT and AToE. It took a couple years to find everything (I am a completionist ugh lol), but I now have a 100% complete set of both games and couldn't be happier! Game on! Keep up the passion and great work!

[@A.E.Konietzky]

The Dungeon Degenerates complete series has been a PASSIONATE WANT for a few years now and I just cannot bite the bullet for some reason. LoL. I think it would also be amazing fully transferred to a Digital, Tablet and/or SteamDeck version with music, sound effects and VO.

[@ishotmyboss]

@@A.E.Konietzky When people argue digital vs physical board gaming, I wonder why I haven't seen ones that meet in the middle: having the tablet take care of the maps and paper/cards for an adventure, and having an option for you to input your rolls or success/failure you have with dice you clack next to you on the table. And being able to use an mp3 playlist in the background.

[@caesarspeak9030]

This is a game that's been on my wishlist for to long. I'm going to have to get it. I love the colors and theme.

[@DocHogan]

Can't. Effing. Wait! DD has been *solidly* in my All-time Top 5 since I discovered it in their second printing KS

[@thebrewgeek]

I’m fortunate to have loads of this game. I throw my support behind game creators like Sean and Eric, and others like Joseph McCullough whenever I can. Great stuff! Now if I could just find more time to play. 😅

[@TheDungeonDive]

Oh man - time is the most valuable thing in the world.

[@Leray21]

Finally another DD video, suiting for spooktober

[@MisterGrooves]

The little folio booklets are the secret sauce in my shadowdark campaign

[@TheDungeonDive]

Oh nice! Those lore books are awesome.

[@kevindorn2508]

Keeping track of the danger levels and the hassle of "saveing" a game is what holds it back some for me. Love most of the other aspects of it.

[@dicezart9667]

Clear Matte Dragon Shield are the best card sleeves imo. Makes shuffling super easy. Nice grip on the back. Low glare on the front.

[@TheDungeonDive]

That’s what I used. I just can’t stand sleeved cards.

[@dicezart9667]

​@@TheDungeonDiveI couldn't stand the sticky cards of AToE. With the amount of shuffling required, especially if you have all the expansions, it drove me nuts lol.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Those cards are kind of ridiculous. The Frogs used to use such weird materials for their cards.

[@psbauman]

I think I can call this a lifestyle game, or at least my go-to comfort game. 39 plays so far, and I did the same thing you did on my most recent play... I unsleeved everything. I want those colors to pop and I'm tired of the plastic on my cards. I personally don't mind the campaign structure so much since I just leave the game on the table and come back to it over the course of 2-3 days. I'm not sure if they offered this in the latest campaign, but the previous one had an "overflow box" add-on, which I don't regret getting because this thing is getting *big*.

[@VelliMak]

I’m the same way with playing my cards unsleeved! I hate how sleeved cards feel and love the cardboard feel (especially some good linen-finish!) Some friends can’t understand this though but for me - games are meant to be played and enjoyed and not archived in plastic

[@pookie9121]

Awesome video as usual. I've been thinking about getting this game for a while. Where does it say which printing of the game you have? Ordering one online. Cheers

[@narcisbolog7825]

There is a Mork Borg video game Kickstarter live now, is that something you would be interested in covering?

[@TheDungeonDive]

Maybe? I’ll have to take a look at it.

[@alexisxiros8168]

"Die Wurst" is german for sausage. "Die" is the female article (pronounced dee).

[@TheDungeonDive]

Sure is!

[@theeyewizard8288]

you have all of the characters except Angel of Death and Infamous Butcher (1st KS exclusives)

[@TheDungeonDive]

Thank you. So many cool characters!

[@theeyewizard8288]

it's Adam Cardone's lifestyle game

[@MelodicMethod]

13:14 aaagghhh! why have that background for the text? My eyes...they BLEEEEEED! I've played this game, it is cool, but i can't stand putting theme over playability

[@TheDungeonDive]

I like the bold art direction. It’s as much of a work of punk art as it is a game, so I dig it.

[@SkHATEy]

A game based on a book that does not exist. Vermis inversed.

[@legendodinson7082]

Would you happen to have an Amazon link for the pouches you use for the character cards?

[@TheDungeonDive]

I usually use the Scotch 5mm pouches.

[@p0ck3tp3ar]

I had a hard time figuring out how to play the original game. Traded it for WHQ Cursed city, which was terrible.

[@TheDungeonDive]

That was a really bad trade! :).

[@p0ck3tp3ar]

Haha I traded two more items in addition to DD. Glad I got to try them though.

[@DarkJackMF]

Can't find the late pledge option. Is it still active?

[@TheDungeonDive]

I'm not sure what's available now. They had a KS not too long ago, and I don't know if the PM is open yet. This is the link I found when I googled "dungeon degenerates kickstarter" www.kickstarter.com/projects/seanaaberg/dungeon-degenerates-the-expansioning

[@GOBLINKOGOBLINKO]

Not yet, the pledge manager launches soon!

[@jaykaye594]

I Like the colour scheme, not as fond of the art style. Cool vid.

[@fiddleronthecube7835]

What a name for this game, just to be alliterative. How about names such as Dungeon Low-Lifes or Dungeon Has-Beens? Somehow, the name of the game doesn't inspire me to play. Anyway, I have too many dungeon crawlers already.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Because they're not low-lifes of has-beens, they're degenerates - criminal scum. Degenerates covers all that in only one word, rather than two. This also isn't technical a dungeon crawl - it's an overland adventure game. It's called Dungeon Degenerates because your characters have escaped from a dungeon where they've been imprisoned for their crimes.

[@fiddleronthecube7835]

@@TheDungeonDive I've bought many of your suggestions already. I'll pass on this one for now. Maybe I'll buy this one when I'm finished with the others.

[@psbauman]

If you're getting the ick over the word "degenerate," I'm pretty sure the game isn't for you. Like seriously, that vibe is all over this game.

[@fiddleronthecube7835]

@@psbauman Yep, maybe Dungeon in Debasement. My silly verbal gripe is just my way of limiting my own game purchases.

[@psbauman]

@@fiddleronthecube7835 Debasement would be a great board game title, though. I'd actually shorten it to "Debaser" and throw in some surrealist Pixies material (i.e. Chien Andalou, etc) 😆

[@Thomas-kx9op]

Honestly, feel like I have enough, so I didn't back the recent campaign.

[@TheDungeonDive]

It’s definitely getting to that point.

[@bonescollector5367]

Those cards with black text on red background are a cardinal sin. They are simply , very difficult to read. They will be a deal breaker for some. I can't believe the publishers don't know that.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Pretty sure they know that, and don't care - or, better said, they do care and have made specific design choice to show that. This whole thing is as much an artistic statement as it is a game. It's punk rock through and through, and throws a lot of the established rules out of the window on purpose. I think it's very specifically designed to not be a game for everyone, for good and bad. It's not meant to be easy to read, it's meant to be a work of outsider art, just like all of the things that Goblinko has worked on. Kind of like how a lot of the Mork Borg stuff is hard to read. It's all a deliberate choice of bold style, and that will work for some, and not for others.

[@DieNische]

The new mission books are a real disappointment. The whole USP (CYOA campaign) of Dungeon Degenerates is gone in those books. So sad... :(

[@TheDungeonDive]

That makes me more excited to try them! The one thing that keeps me from playing this more is the long, complex campaign structure. I just want something a little more straightforward with this one.

[@DocHogan]

What is "USP"?

[@psbauman]

What? The campaigns branch just like the old ones. If anything, they branch *more* since you often have options between different followup missions.

[@DieNische]

@@psbauman No, they do not. The whole structure has changed. It is either "make the Mission" or cancel it. Compare the new books with the old ones. You will notice that the new missions are not linked to each other at all. And because of that the whole campaign becomes meaningless.

[@psbauman]

@@DieNische I'm think I'm probably misunderstanding your comparison. From my plays of the recent campaigns, sure there's a "if you fail, go to this mission" result on the global chart, but with stuff like Cosmic Hearse "failing" actually leads to different starting missions in the next play, at least from what I remember. Are you talking about branching *within* a single mission? I guess I hadn't noticed that was missing, though I do remember a few of the core missions doing this.

[@Gankatron5000]

I think it is unfortunate that Sean won't release the Angel of Death/Infamous Butcher exclusives again. I certainly would have paid to support his efforts. It would have been cool if they had been released as part of a charity fundraiser, but the man says no, and so it goes. In theory, one can make up their own from internet search for available images from Spanish editions (Ángel de la muerte/Carnicero Infame), translate, and replicate them for their own personal use. Note: I remembered that there were two exclusive characters so I edited my replies to reflect that. ;)

[@TheDungeonDive]

I kind of admire an exclusive being exclusive. It's just one character, so I think it's OK. :)

[@Gankatron5000]

I dislike exclusives, time-dependant bonuses, and stretch goals. I find them to be marketing techniques that drive addictive fomo buying behaviors. I am a supporter of inclusivity. The prospect of new exclusives for the next DD campaign was broached in an update from the last crowdfunding campaign and the strong negative responses from the backer community guided Sean to declare that he would not provide any further exclusives. A single exclusive character (or in this case two characters) likely won't significantly alter gameplay experience. Nonetheless, it is a good feeling to be included in the favored supporter community, especially after years of dedicated financial and vocal support, even if it means one has to forge their VIP entrance pass. ;)

[@TheDungeonDive]

There's already so much that is constantly available for this game, that I'll never experience all of what I actually do have, to worry about what I don't have. I am missing so many things from so many games. What I admire about this choice is that they said it would be exclusive that one time, and they're sticking to it. I think it's the only single piece of cardboard that has ever been an exclusive. Out of the hundreds of pieces of cardboard, I think that's OK.

[@Gankatron5000]

That is a pragmatic way of looking at it. My viewpoint is a philosophical one. Exclusives foster exclusivity and are specifically included in crowdfunding campaigns to foster fomo, something that if you don't buy now you will potentially miss out on forever. They are chosen for their intrinsic apparent value as something highly desireable. One might admire a person holding to a promise. I see it as pride standing in the way of community building. Changing previous POVs to more utilitarian ones is an important part of my personal growth as someone interested in inclusivity, even at my advanced age. It is easy to dismiss two exclusive characters that are withheld from a greater community of supporters as just extra pieces of cardboard, but are they only that? On a components list, sure, they are quantitatively insignificant. Now bring up the matter of Angel of Death/Infamous Butcher availability in a crowdfunding update, and one can tell how much these pieces of cardboard mean to those who were unfortunate enough to miss out on not being included because they weren't aware of the game at release. If these exclusives were perceived by Sean and supporters as only two more pieces of cardboard, then they would not have been effective incentives to foster fomo backing. I believe the vocal body of excluded supporters perceive them as unique valuable additions to their lifestyle game. Plus, some gamers are completionists and who are we to say they are hobbying wrong? I respect that you personally do not care about these exclusives, but I would avoid assuming that the community of excluded supporters also feel that way. I am not individually impacted by Sean's decision to withhold these exclusives to the greater community, and by your statements, neither are you. We can agree on that point, as well as our strong continued support of Goblinko. Even with emojis, tone is difficult to effectively express online, but rest assured I think your POV is valid for yourself, and I wouldn't wish to change your mind. We are addressing two different aspects of this matter, The Angel of death exclusive's quantitative versus qualitative value. I don't believe there is anything additional I need to add unless you have any new points to discuss. Thanks for the conversation.

[@orcyteo4054]

I love this game but I don't like how Sean responds or runs his KS, the vibes are too greedy, nothing punk about that attitude.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Odd. I don’t get that at all. I get the vibe of a small indie company wanting to make a living while delivering something high quality. They're also well versed in the business side of things, and know that margins are tight, and they know what they need to thrive in a super competitive space.

[@orcyteo4054]

@@TheDungeonDive well compared to other campaigns he slowly became more greedy as people started to pay more attention to his game... 20$ for the new rulebook?! Really? 30$ for an empty box? 20$ for the mission "books" which you have to cut the cards out yourself in the back.... Nope mate these are greedy priced, the vagrantsong campaign for example, gave the reprinted rulebook for 3$ and a deluxe storage box with plastic inserts (not just an empty box) for free as SG.