RIGS & RACES in Roomino! TTRPG Zines

Production Delayed, Regretfully.
27 days ago – Mon, Jun 01, 2026 at 09:01:37 PM

Hello backers,

When I decided to double the zine count/page count from last year I did the sensible thing and gave myself twice the time. But that has not worked out as planned. 

Reasons for Delay

I don’t know how much detail about work and an active kid’s schedule is helpful to go into. You all have busy lives too. But at the core I am really trying to excel at my full-time job and have not given RiGS & RACES the time it needed to hit my deadlines.

Let me show you where things are at, and what my plan is next.

Covers are 90% Done

I love doing covers first as I intended to share more updates and using cover images and elements can be a lot of fun. I’ll continue to tweak up until I send them to print and even after for the next print run. 

First Draft of Manuscript + Initial Layout

I have written and self-reviewed both books and am putting them in front of an editor. When I was able to write, it moved fast. I’ve been thinking of this stuff for so long that it flowed onto the page really well. 

I’d love for them to stay at the same page count as Let’s Go to Roomino!, but there’s always a chance to expand or contract. 

Illustration + ROOM Design

Still, the toughest part of the project is still ahead. Interior artwork is no farther than sketches, so a lot to do there. 

And then there are the RiG and RACES examples that need to be finished. While the first draft is good, these multi-room examples need to be wrestled with. 

I’m giving each one 4 pages to make them visual with plenty of room for text. The puzzles and items will change as I’m further inspired. It’s all part of the creative process. 

Confidence Moving Forward

Here’s why I believe I can make progress in next couple months to get these books to you? 

1. About a month ago I started blocking 20 minutes day to write and create. What I found was that if I set a 20 minute goal it was easy to fit, and often I’d find myself getting lost in the work again. 

2. I am hiring additional help at work and business is slower in the summer, as are my kid’s schedules. 

Goals & Timeline

I had hoped to have the books printing right now, shipping in June. Here is my new plan:

• Art & Design in June & July
• Print in August
• Ship in August
• Communication every 2 weeks

Lastly, Backerkit is Re-Opened

Backerkit Pledgemanager was scheduled to be closed and cards charged in the next couple days. It didn’t feel right to charge the cards and then let you know that there would be a delay.

So, if this news changes your pledge manager decisions, it’s open for you to review and amend. 

I am still enjoying making this game and these books. I’m doing it for my kids and for you and your kids. I hope you’ll stick with me through this next milestone!

If you have questions or feedback, please reach out.

All the best. Update coming in a couple weeks. 

-Eric

Backerkit Surveys sent! Pre-orders are live!
3 months ago – Mon, Mar 30, 2026 at 02:31:27 PM

Thank you for your patience. Setting up the Backerkit Pledge Manager was nearly as involved as setting up the Kickstarter Campaign. Thankfully there is an amazing guide and responsive support people that helped me get it all sorted. 

Surveys - Check Your Inbox

You should have received an email to fill out your survey. The most important part is providing a shipping address for physical backers. The other questions help me better understand you, what motivated you to back this campaign, and what you’d like to see next. 

Taking a few extra minutes to answer thoughtfully will help me create better products for you. 

Change pledge + Add-ons - Pledges Lock April 31st

In the pledge manager you can change your pledge to a different level and you can add on any of the following books:

• Let’s Go to Roomino! Print Zine
• Fantasy Explore ROOMS Print Zine
• Space Explore ROOMS Print Zine
• All the PDF versions of those books
• Additional copies of any physical books

If you have any regrets or want to get more of something at campaign pricing, now’s your chance!

Pre-Orders Close April 31st

If you missed the campaign and want to pre-order RiGs in Roomino! & RACES in Roomino!, jump over to the pre-order store on backerkit. 

Thank you, again, for your patience! Full speed ahead

Eric

The Campaign is Over, What’s Next?
4 months ago – Tue, Mar 03, 2026 at 06:51:04 PM

Hi Roominauts!

ZineQuest has ended, and so has this campaign!

You made this campaign happen! We funded, found more Roominauts, and now we’re set to fly through more parts of Roomino in the RiGS in Roomino! & RACES in Roomino! Books. 

Next Steps:

1. Finish setting up the Backerkit Pledge Manager.
2. Send out the Backer Survey.
3. Finalize and communicate my production timeline.
4. Produce the books.
5. And a thousand steps in between!

I will continue to share my journey through my newsletter, website, TikTok, Bluesky, and here.

Here’s what I need from you:

• Answer your Backer Survey as quickly as you’re able.
• Tell others about the Pledge Manager when it goes live.
• Engage with my communications - ask questions, share, etc.
• Enjoy the ride!

I will see you in the next ROOM!

-Eric Oakland, Explore ROOMS RPG, Scaly Beast Games

6 Hours to Go!
4 months ago – Sat, Feb 28, 2026 at 01:05:46 PM

Hello Roominauts!

We have 6 hours to go!

We are 13 backers from getting that BigBot sticker for all print backers

We are ~$225 from a FREE Kaiju RiGS scenario for all backers

But we are all-the-way excited to get to the finish line with all of you!

If you were waiting to be the one to swoop in and be a hero for the rest of the party, now’s the time!

-Eric

Funding by any other name would smell as sweet
4 months ago – Wed, Feb 25, 2026 at 07:02:39 AM

We Funded!

I am grateful for every step of this journey, every one of you travelling with me, and for having met the “Funded!” milestone. It’s a mix of joy, relief, validation, and whatever that feeling is when you get to make the thing you’ve said you’re going to make. 

RiGS and RACES in Roomino are pieces to a larger puzzle that I am building of games and stories that encourage imagination, curiosity, learning from failure, and connection. 

Thank you!

Mutual Support

Last year I used about 10% of what I raised to back other Indie ZineQuest projects on Kickstarter and other platforms.  So here are a few projects I am supporting and why. 

Axolotl with a Gun

I don’t write play-violence into my games. But Bri & Jonathon created one of my favorite RPGs of 2025, Bonds Between about two dragons that cooperate to rebuild a kingdom, and they are doing some fun things with mechanics and mini-games that I’m eager to explore. If you’ve got a kiddo that likes to imagine pew pews and it’s cool with you - check this out. 

The Crypt Has Opened

This is Jeff’s first ZineQuest and he has this style and way of putting games together that I really enjoy. His style is so campy and silly and it’s an inspiration for me when I get around to introducing the creepy/horror genre into parts of Roomino. 

Monstrous Detectives

Monstrous Detectives is going to be great for kiddos to embody the monster characters and solving mysteries. The art and tone is fantastic for kiddos. 

Magika Nostalgika

I’ve met Matthew at multiple conventions and he always has these little things that enhance a setting or the play experience. These magik items would fit perfectly in Roomino!

Space Aces: Wreck Runners

An RPG and Board game in a box for $35. Last year they made an RPG about 3 racoons in a trench coat, and now this game is so close to the joy I want to capture with RiGS & RACES. Go check it out!

I am backing other projects on other platforms as well. I’ll share more of those in my Explore ROOMS Newsletter - Subscribe at ExploreROOMS.com to get that list of games too!

Thank you all again! 4 days to see where we can go!

Eric, Scaly Beast Games