# Ravensridge Emporium Launches One Thousand Rats Devour a City on Kickstarter A new GMless tabletop RPG hybrid blends board game management with collaborative storytelling. - **Source:** [techAU](https://techau.com.au) - **Published:** 2026-11-03 - **Topic:** [Business](https://brifing.si/c/business) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/c226ca2c-4c5d-47d1-9a33-272f5382e9e0 ## New Tabletop Project Launch Ravensridge Emporium is officially launching their latest project, One Thousand Rats Devour a City, on Kickstarter. Following their previous work like Caught in the Rain, the team showcased this ambitious title at PAX Aus 2026. The game invites players to command a rat colony reclaiming a Victorian Gothic city. ## Innovative GMless Gameplay Mechanics The game functions as a GMless hybrid, removing the need for a dedicated game master. This design choice allows the experience to scale seamlessly from solo narrative runs to chaotic four-player cooperative sessions. Players manage distinct colony leaders while navigating the oppressive human metropolis of Ravensridge through strategic, collaborative decision-making processes. ## Modular Storytelling and Design Ravensridge Emporium emphasizes dynamic modular storytelling to ensure every game session remains distinct. By blending light board game management with freeform roleplay, the developers create a unique experience that stands apart from standard AI-generated content. This approach provides players with high replayability and a deep, immersive narrative environment for groups. ## Crowdfunding Campaign Details The official crowdfunding campaign kicks off on Tuesday, 3 November at 4:00am AEST. Early backers gain immediate access to launch pledges, limited reward tiers, and exclusive physical components. The project aims to capture interest from tabletop enthusiasts looking for creative, human-led alternatives in the current gaming market landscape. ## Flexible Backer Pledge Options Backers can choose from multiple pledge levels tailored to their specific needs. Options range from a lean digital package for those preferring convenience to a complete boxed tabletop experience for collectors. These tiers are designed to accommodate different budgets while providing access to the core game and various backer-exclusive rewards. ## Developer Vision and Inspiration Co-creator Jessie Lee describes the project as a response to the challenging global climate of 2026. The game offers a small, imaginative joy by allowing players to pretend they are rats taking over a city. This thematic focus highlights the developer's commitment to creating engaging, character-driven tabletop experiences for players. ## Community and Future Engagement Ravensridge Emporium maintains active communication with their player base through various social channels including Instagram, Bluesky, TikTok, and Discord. Fans can follow project updates or explore their online store for additional fantasy pieces. This direct engagement strategy helps build a loyal community around their unique, niche tabletop gaming releases. ## Market Position and Significance In an era increasingly dominated by AI-generated content, this project represents a return to human-crafted, collaborative storytelling. By offering a tactile and social gaming experience, Ravensridge Emporium positions itself as a key player for board game collectors. The game serves as both a playable campaign and a unique giftable item. ## Sources covering this story - https://techau.com.au/rats-kickstarter/ — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._