James Hoare's 'Secret Passages' Brings Back the Time When RPGs Were as Awkward as You Were

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Two chunky starter sets for Star Wars Legion are displayed, featuring the Rebel Alliance and Separatist factions. The Rebel Alliance set showcases characters like Luke Skywalker and various scouts and Wookiees, while the Separatist set includes General Grievous and a variety of droids, including battle droids and super battle droids. Each box features vibrant artwork depicting the characters and their respective armies, with the text "STAR WARS LEGION" prominently displayed on the front.
New Star Wars Legion Starter Sets Now on Pre-Order from Atomic Mass
There are two chunky Star Wars Legion starter sets on the way from Atomic Mass, and you can pre-order them now.Coming soon, this new pair includes new sets for the Rebel Alliance and Separatist faction. Both sets include a 600-point army, with the Rebel set a total of 36 various scouts, wookies and Luke Skywalker. The Separatist set, meanwhile, is composed of 39 droids—including battle droids, dri...
A detailed miniature scene features a character with large, intricately designed black wings, dressed in a mix of armor and clothing, wielding a weapon and casting a spell. Opposite this character stands a massive, armored figure with glowing green accents and a spiked weapon, set against a rocky terrain with patches of moss. The contrasting sizes and designs of the two figures highlight the dynamic nature of the scene.
Deep-Cut and Steamforged Release New Warmachine Game Mats , Rules, Previews and More
Another week, another Warmachine Wednesday, and this week sees a stack of new goodies from not just Steamforged Games, but also Deep-Cut Studios.Kicking off with Steamforged Games, they’ve revealed a host of new Warmachine content, including: Rules for the Kapitan Kazimir Morozov, a new Khador warlock who is due for release this week……A preview of the new Cryx Necrofactorium Hellraker Colosso...
The image features the title "SHADOWRUN: ANARCHY" prominently displayed in a stylized font. The word "SHADOWRUN" is in white, while "ANARCHY" is rendered in a vibrant yellow with a dynamic, graffiti-like design. A dragon emblem is integrated into the design, adding to the cyberpunk and fantasy aesthetic. The background is dark with subtle textures, enhancing the overall edgy and futuristic vibe of the artwork.
Only One Week To Go On Shadowrun: Anarchy 2.0 Kickstarter
The Kickstarter for Shadowrun: Anarchy 2.0 is now in its final week.This campaign—the third run by publisher Black Book Editions—brings us an updated and reinvigorated version of the classic Shadowrun RPG. A unique blend of both cyberpunk and fantasy roleplaying tropes, Shadowrun combines cybernetics and netrunning with swords and sorcery. Races such as humans, orcs, elves, dwarves et al wield bal...
A dynamic illustration features two adventurers engaged in battle against a large, fiery creature in a chaotic, volcanic landscape. The first character, a male warrior wielding a sword and shield, is positioned prominently in the foreground, while a female elf with silver hair looks on, ready to assist. The background is filled with swirling flames and dark, rocky terrain, enhancing the sense of action and adventure. The title "Pathfinder Quest" is displayed at the top in bold, stylized lettering.
Embark on Your Pathfinder Quest with Paizo
Paizo has launched its new Pathfinder Quest crowdfunding campaign..Now live on Backerkit, Pathfinder Quest is ‘a cooperative adventure board game for 1–4 players’ Pathfinder Quest is ‘Designed to bridge the gap between quick, randomized dungeon crawlers and sprawling, prep-heavy delves’. It also offers players the option to either create their own characters or to use one of the ‘prebuilt heroes’ ...
Three distinctive Gremlin miniatures are prominently displayed against a dark, forested background. The first Gremlin on the left has a wooden mask-like face and vibrant green skin, while the central Gremlin features a fierce expression with a large, toothy grin and a decorative necklace. The third Gremlin on the right holds a weapon and has a playful stance, showcasing the whimsical design typical of the ArcWorlde faction. The text "ArcWorlde GREMLINS!" is boldly featured at the bottom, emphasizing the campaign's focus.
ArcWorlde Gremlins Kickstarter Enters its Final Few Days
Warp Miniatures’ latest Kickstarter ends in less than 72 hours.Fully funded and unlocking stretchgoals, the Gremlins Kickstarter campaign brings the titular wee critters back to world of ArcWorlde. Absent since the launch of the new edition of the fantasy skirmish game, this new iteration of the classic ArcWorlde faction features a brand new warband of seven distinctive miniatures; these include a...

Hobby News

A detailed assembly of modular terrain pieces made from laser-cut wood, featuring multiple levels, staircases, and platforms. The structure includes various textures and patterns, with a mix of open and enclosed areas, showcasing a futuristic industrial design. In the background, paint bottles and tools are visible, indicating a workspace for painting and customizing the terrain.
How NOT to build with Dave! TTSCW-INH-061
Yep, I got another one built this time I am going to break it!Don’t believe me go watch it!Yeah so erm come hang out and see what I can make of this.
Image: p1020305
How NOT to build with Dave! TTSCW-INH-038
This week I managed to bodge together TTCombat Mega Turbine. The way I am going I will eventually have an entire power complex for whatever it is I am working on. Maybe one day I’ll actually share what I am working on, trust me everything I am doing is building to something. But were not here to talk about that we are here to talk about the Mega Turbine and how it goes together in the usual way wi...
Three Playmarkers from AK are displayed on a blue cutting mat, featuring a grid pattern. The markers are in red, blue, and white, each labeled "PLAYMARKERS FOR TABLETOP GAMERS." In the foreground, two small miniatures are positioned on clear bases: a black creature and a red creature, while a larger green creature and a blue figure are visible in the background.
Random Bonus Video!
I’ve been playing with the Playmarkers from AK.
A detailed model of the Sector 3 Silo Hub from TT Combat is prominently displayed on a blue cutting mat. The structure features multiple cylindrical silos with intricate wooden textures and circular tops, showcasing a combination of open latticework and solid panels. In the background, various paint pots and a few other miniature models are visible, along with the instruction sheet for the Silo Hub, which includes an illustration of the assembled model.
How NOT to build with Dave! TTSCW-INH-068
Been a while, day job gets in the way and I just lose time to make these. But I have done another one, and this time I am putting together the Sector 3 Silo Hub, from TT Combat. I know i often do TT Combat, I will do other terrain once I find other terrain that I feels matches the quality and price of the TT Combat stuff. Due to the storms this has a re-recorded voice over on it instead of me tryi...
A vibrant comic-style cover for "Secret Passages Issue 2" features a muscular, armored figure with a crown and flowing red cape, standing confidently amidst a gritty, urban backdrop. The character wields a sword and is surrounded by crumbling walls adorned with graffiti, evoking a sense of adventure and nostalgia for classic tabletop gaming. The title is prominently displayed at the top in bold, stylized lettering, with a red and black color scheme enhancing the dramatic atmosphere.
Secret Passages 2: This Time It's Personal
James Hoare's Secret Passages is back on Kickstarter with Issue 2, continuing his mission to excavate the cultural DNA of classic RPGs and Oldhammer gaming. This second instalment adds another 64 pages of deep-dive journalism exploring "the RPGs and wargames that raised us," building on the success of Issue 1's remarkable debut that we covered in-depth earlier this year. Editor Hoare, bringing nea...

SecretPassages Posts

A close-up view of a printed document featuring the title "THE LAUNDRY" prominently displayed at the top, with a distressed font style. Below the title, the text indicates that it is based on the "LAUNDRY FILES" novels by Charles Stross, and mentions "System - New Management." The document appears to be part of promotional material for the latest edition of the Laundry RPG.
The Laundry RPG Now Available for Pre-Order

The latest edition of the Laundry RPG is now available for pre-order.

Based on the series of novels by Charles Stross, the Laundry roleplaying game focuses on Q-Division, a British intelligence departm... Read More

A vibrant illustration features several characters engaged in various activities related to the occult and espionage, set against a backdrop of chaotic office elements and mystical symbols. Prominent figures include a man in a suit with a serious expression, a woman with long hair and a beanie, and a man focused on a computer, all surrounded by swirling graphics that suggest supernatural themes. In the foreground, three books titled "Introduction to Applied Occult Computing," "Black Bag Jobs Reopened," and "Supervisor's Guide" are displayed, showcasing their distinct covers.
A vibrant comic-style cover for "Secret Passages Issue 2" features a muscular, armored figure with a crown and flowing red cape, standing confidently amidst a gritty, urban backdrop. The character wields a sword and is surrounded by crumbling walls adorned with graffiti, evoking a sense of adventure and nostalgia for classic tabletop gaming. The title is prominently displayed at the top in bold, stylized lettering, with a red and black color scheme enhancing the dramatic atmosphere.
A rugged space explorer stands prominently in the foreground, wearing a detailed, futuristic suit adorned with various gadgets and tools. His expression is serious, and he holds a device in one hand, while the other reaches toward a ghostly, skeletal hand emerging from the ground. The background features a stark contrast of dark and light, with swirling clouds and a distant planet, creating an eerie atmosphere that complements the themes of horror and existential dread.