Microlite75 is current being written and playtested

What is Microlite75?

Microlite75, like its parent game, Microlite20, is a trimmed down, sub-miniature version of the Primary Fantasy SRD rules (see license for more info)that has been designed to be quick and easy to play. The goal of Microlite75, however, is to recreate the style and feel of the early editions of the world’s most popular fantasy roleplaying game published in the 1970s and early 1980s – but with a few modern ideas and additions that fit the early edition spirit.

The rules are based on the 1974 0e edition with its supplements and material from 0e magazine articles, some 0e third party material, some of the house rules the author used in the 1970s, and selected ideas from other roleplaying games. The rules are not intended to be a clone of the 0e rules, but rather a conversion of them to a rules-lite D20-based system that encourages old-school play without strictly old-school rules. If you are looking for a Microlite20-based game that adheres more closely to 0e, take a look at Microlite75's predecessor, Microlite74.

Are these rules better than the original systems? Microlite75 is more like 0e plus supplements expressed in Microlite20 terms. It doesn’t claim to be new, improved, or better, just the way we did it converted to a rules system more players are likely to be already familiar with.

How can I help?

There are two major ways you can help Microlite75 toward final release.

First, you can help playtest Microlite75. A playtest copy of Microlite75 is currently available and newer versions will be made available as more work is done on the game. You can download a copy from the sidebar on the left. If you do so, feel free to comment on the game -- especially errors or problems you notice -- in the RetroRoleplaying Forum. Your comments (and typo catching) will make a major difference in the quality of the the final version.

Second, you can help sponsor Microlite75. Many long time visitors to RetroRoleplaying.com know that my wife is recovering successfully from oral cancer and that I worked on the original Microlite74 as way to cope during her recovery from 6 weeks of radiation treatment in 2008. We are some of the 40 to 50 million people in the US who do not have health insurance. Worse, we do not qualify for government aid as we live in Texas and have no children. The cancer treatments have cost over $110,000 so far. While some of this has been absorbed by hospital foundations and the like, we still owe a lot of it. I make available some special bonuses for those who help us pay these bills with a donation to the RetroRoleplaying Cancer Fund. See the sidebar on the for more info on these special downloads -- and for a Paypal link for donations.

For a limited time (while Microlite75 is in playtest) you can be listed as a Microlite75 sponsor in all printings of Microlite75 for a qualifying donation. This is in addition to all the usual benefits from any donation.

If you donate $25 or more you will also be listed as a Bronze Sponsor of Microlite75 in the final edition of the Microlite75 rulebook (and future playtest drafts leading up to it).

If you donate $50 or more you will also be listed as a Silver Sponsor of Microlite75 in the final edition of the Microlite75 rulebook (and future playtest drafts leading up to it).

If you donate $100 or more you will also be listed as a Gold Sponsor of Microlite75 in the final edition of the Microlite75 rulebook (and future playtest drafts leading up to it).

Several RetroRoleplaying regulars had suggested that I consider a "Ransom" model for Microlite75 but I can't bring myself to do that. We need donations, but I don't want to withhold a game to try to force people to make donations. I just can't do it.

When with Microlite75 be done?

When it's done. Hopefully, by the end of summer (2010) at the latest. However, it will not be released in "final" form until it is ready. The more donations I get, of course, the more time I will have to work on it.