Play On Words Studios

CREATOR

13 days ago

Project Update: August 2026 Update

Hello Backers and Friends,

We are continuing to make strong progress, and the end is now clearly in sight. There are still a few variables that need to be locked in, so I want to avoid committing to exact timelines, but we are much closer to the finish than the start.

Editing is moving forward steadily. Our editor is now about 50 percent through the book, with most of that progress covering the core rules. Once that phase is complete, we will update the Quickstart Guide to reflect the final rules instead of earlier versions. This will give new players a much clearer picture of how the game is meant to be played.

The Tarot booklet is nearly complete and will soon move into layout. This is one of the final components needed before we send everything to print.

Behind the scenes, I have also been coordinating with our distributor and printing partners so that when the book is ready, we can move forward immediately without delays.

As a reminder, if you ordered a copy of the book, you should have received a link to the raw, unedited PDF via Itch.io and DriveThruRPG. If you have not received it, please email us at [email protected], and we will get that sorted for you.

If you have had a chance to review the raw PDF, we strongly encourage you to join us on Discord and share your thoughts on the rules, setting, and overall design.

Layout Update

Here are a few more previews of the work-in-progress layout as we await final edits.

We are very excited about how the book is coming together visually, and we think it is going to be something special once finalized.

Design Update

Our design focus is now firmly on future content. We already have several subclasses and additional material in development.

Once the final PDF is locked and sent to print, we will begin rolling this content out through Patreon.

Art Update

Adam has begun work on new illustrations for future releases. Some of these may still make their way into the final book depending on timing.

Two of the current pieces in progress are key faction characters: The Blacktooth of the Court of Rats and The Voice of the Cult of Tenebrous.

Luana has completed the entire Tarot deck. All cards are finished and now waiting for final formatting. We will be showcasing the Tarot deck throughout August on Instagram.

Gamescom

Play On Words Studios will be at Gamescom this year, meeting with fans, media, publishers, and investors.

If you are attending and have access to the B2C area, stop by the GamingMalta stand: Hall 03.2 | Stand D041g - C040g

We will have new and upcoming projects to show and preview.

Actual Play: House of Skye

Tuesdays at 9 PM Eastern

While you wait for the final PDF, you can see the system in action through our actual play, Shadow City Mysteries: House of Skye.

We stream live every Tuesday at 9 PM Eastern on Twitch and YouTube. VODs are available on both platforms and on Spotify.

Your support through follows, subscriptions, likes, and shares continues to help us grow the audience for Shadow City.

Surveys

Thank you to the 95 percent of backers who have completed your surveys. We appreciate it.

If you are one of the remaining eleven backers, please complete your survey soon. You can still add items to your order if there is anything you would like.

Please note that we cannot send your raw PDF until your survey is complete.

Pre-Order Store

Closing Soon

We are approaching the point where the book will be locked for final production.

That means the Pre-Order Store will be closing soon.

This is your final opportunity to:

Secure the current version of the book
Pick up exclusive campaign items
Join before fulfillment begins

If you know anyone who has been on the fence, now is the time to let them know.

🔗 Pre-Order Here

FREE Quickstart Guide 2.0 Coming Soon

The updated Quickstart Guide is on the way.

Version 2.0 will reflect the final rules and improvements made during development. It will be available in the coming weeks.

The current version is still available for free on DriveThruRPG if you want to introduce new players to the game today.

Join Our Patreon

As we wrap up this crowdfund, development continues.

Patreon will be the home for:

New subclasses
Expanded lore
Additional systems and tools

If you want to stay ahead of future releases and expand your campaigns, Patreon is where that content will live.

Shadow City Mysteries: Case Files

Rise of the Rat King

Take control of the Rat King, an underworld mastermind navigating the power struggles of Shadow City.

Join the thousands of players who have already downloaded the demo on Steam.

🔗 Wishlist on Steam Demo available now

Shadow City Mysteries: A Clockwork Noir

Unravel mysteries, conspiracies, and supernatural forces in this replayable narrative adventure.

Each playthrough reveals more of the truth behind Shadow City.

🔗 Wishlist on Steam

Play On Words Studios Dev Blogs

For more behind-the-scenes insights, visit our monthly Dev Blogs, where we explore game design, world building, and our broader transmedia vision.

🔗 Read the Dev Blogs

Thank you for being part of this journey. We are getting very close now.

We will be back in 2 months or so with another update.

See you in the shadows,
Christopher Mifsud
CEO and Creative Director
Shadow City Mysteries: The Roleplaying Game

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