A downloadable game for Windows, macOS, Linux, and Android

Buy Now$5.00 USD or more
That night, these powerful, graceful, unapologetically queer heroes used their magical gifts to fight back the Legion--saving the city and capturing your hearts. Like the brightest, most beautiful stars to ever grace the night sky, they became a beacon of hope, safety, and queer joy for your community. As queer teenagers living in Megacity, each of you has been particularly impacted by their presence.
...
The Guardians have left for what they describe as the most dangerous battle they've ever faced--a journey that will either mean the end of the villainous Legion... or the end of the Guardians. As you wait for news of the battle--news of the Guardians--you gather with your closest friends. You come together to discuss what they have meant to your city... and, more importantly, what they have meant to you.

False Protagonists is a gm-less, diceless, no-prep collaborative storytelling game about queer community, queer heroes, parasocial relationships, and magical girls. It currently exists in a digital format that can be used for long-distance or face-to-face play.

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  • Inspired by the magical girl genre (particularly Sailor Moon and Puella Magi Madoka Magica), as well as the many works that explore the perspectives of those of us who are not "heroes"
  • Mechanics are based on Alex Robert's For The Queen,
  • A HUGE thank you to Anthony Nomo and their Descendants of the Queen . Without their work, I never would have finished this project!
  • I also drew inspiration from  Women Are Werewolves and For Our Family.
  • 2-6 players (solo play is possible with virtually no modification, but it was not designed or playtested for solo play)
  • 30-120 minutes
  • This game uses no dice and has no game master (gm)
  • Perfect for no-prep, pick-up-and-play one-shots

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False Protagonists is a Descended From The Queen game, meaning that it is based on the system originally designed by Alex Roberts for the game For The Queen.


For the Queen™ is a trademark of Alex Roberts. The Descended From the Queen Logo is © Alex Roberts, and is used with permission.

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GAME STATUS: Ashcan

This game is fully playable in its current state. That said, I am continuing to playtest and refine it. Purchasing this will provide a link to the fully playable online version (using Story Synth). 

Two printable versions are also in the works--a print-and-play card version and an oracle version that will allow the game to be played with a standard set of 52 playing cards.

Note: The current pricing reflects that this is still an ashcan version. Future updates may come with an updated price. By ordering now, you will have full access to all future updates at no additional cost.

As with all my games, I have provided free community copies. I've been broke before. I know what it's like to not have enough money to fully participate in the hobbies, passions, and communities I care about. Capitalism is a hellscape, and I want to ensure that the cost isn't a barrier for anyone who is interested in this game. So please use the link below to grab a community copy if you are interested.

Purchase

Buy Now$5.00 USD or more

In order to download this game you must purchase it at or above the minimum price of $5 USD. You will get access to the following files:

False Protagonists--Beta (v 1.0)
External

Community Copies

Support this game at or above a special price point to receive something exclusive.

Community Copy

Each copy purchased at the full price helps make the game available to folks whose budget doesn't enable them to pay the listed price

Feel free to grab a copy if you are a member of a marginalized community or if you just don't currently have the resources to spare. There is no test to see if you're marginalized enough. If you think a community copy is for you, it is. I know I often second guess myself when I consider claiming one of these, and I'm telling you right now, you can go ahead and claim it. It makes me happy to provide these and to know that someone wanted to check out my game.

If there are no community copies available, DM me on Twitter @HarkMorper and I'll get you one.

Development log

Comments

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Out of curiosity, is there any kind of an update on printable versions?

Sorry I took 2 and a half months to respond! Life has been a whirlwind lately.
I don't have any concrete updates, other than to say that your question inspired me to break it back out! I'm gonna try to do some playtesting, editing, and refining over the next month and see if I still think it could make a good print game. Depending on how that goes, I'll try to update again!

This is really cool! I love the concept of creating a our own role models!

Thanks, Gabe!