Punk, Mayhem, and Zombies: Inside the Return of the Living Dead TTRPG
Evil Genius Games and Living Dead Media have joined forces to bring fans an electrifying tabletop role-playing experience inspired by the cult-classic zombie franchise Return of the Living Dead. Celebrating the movie’s 40th anniversary, this Cinematic Adventure blends dark humor, punk-rock chaos, and undead mayhem with tailored mechanics and immersive storytelling. Designed by TTRPG veteran Nick Lowe, it reintroduces the franchise’s thrills to a new generation. Read our interview with Dave Scott , owner of Evil Genius Games, to learn more about the “Return of the Living Dead” TTRPG.
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GeekPost: How did the TTRPG adaptation of Return of the Living Dead come about?
Dave Scott: As the ultimate modern-day TTRPG system, we always knew we needed a zombie campaign to be complete. We were lucky enough to have veteran game designer Nick Lowe approach us about adapting Return of the Living Dead into a Cinematic Adventure. He is a superfan and will bring incredible passion to the content.
GeekPost: How does the Everyday Heroes™ platform complement the chaotic and comedic tone of Return of the Living Dead?
Dave Scott: For anyone who has played our game, you know how much fun we have recreating the cinematic experiences you find in movies. Expect nothing less for this game. This is a world where zombies (and their body parts) are essentially unkillable, and Trioxin can make anyone a superhero (with the right amount of body piercings), so anything goes.
GeekPost: What were the main challenges in adapting a cult classic like Return of the Living Dead into a tabletop role-playing game?
Interview Continues Below:
Dave Scott: The main challenge is that zombies transformed by the Trioxin gas are essentially unkillable, so we’ve needed to create mechanics that make the situation survivable for your average PC. I am confident that we will find the right balance between being true to the movie franchise and making the game fun to play.
GeekPost: Can you give a couple of examples of what we can expect in this unique rule set?
Dave Scott: You’ll be able to choose from new backgrounds such as Punk Rocker and new professions such as Darrow Chemical Executive. There will also be a new Origin called “The Living Dead,” which allows you to play as a zombie.
GeekPost: What elements of 1980s pop culture are being incorporated to stay true to the franchise’s original charm?
Dave Scott: We have been given a world bible that includes five decades’ worth of world-building to base the game on. This gives us a tremendous amount of room to expand on the robust world within the franchise. We have several adventures planned, including one called “Send More Paramedics,” which runs parallel to the 1985 film where you play as one of the paramedics sent to the scene. We are also planning an adventure called “Fall of ’69” that allows players to experience the original Trioxin spill that happens in the VA Hospital in Pittsburgh, PA. In the world of Return of the Living Dead, this incident is what inspired the film Night of the Living Dead.
GeekPost: For fans of the franchise, how accessible will the game be for new players who have never been exposed to TTRPGs?
Dave Scott: Everyday Heroes is inspired by 5th Edition, which makes it very easy for anyone experienced with D&D to pick up and play. But like with all role-playing games, all you need is a good GM and an imagination to step into a game and have fun. For this, we have our Dispatch App (orgplay.app), which helps interested players find GMs in their local area who are looking to run games.
GeekPost: What type of player archetypes or roles will the game emphasize to enhance the chaotic fun of the setting? Are any of the original characters from Return of the Living Dead going to make an appearance?
Dave Scott: It has been a tradition in our Cinematic Adventures to provide stats for all the major characters from the movies. This will, of course, include Tarman, Trash, and Scuz. Players will get to use Paretic Rifles, and zombies can be enhanced with military exoskeletons. It will all be there in the supplement.
As Return of the Living Dead celebrates its 40th anniversary, Evil Genius Games and Living Dead Media promises to deliver a truly unique TTRPG experience that honors the franchise’s legacy while inviting a new generation into its chaotic, punk-rock world. With a slate of exciting projects on the horizon, including a feature film, a VR experience, and this groundbreaking Cinematic Adventure, fans of horror and tabletop gaming alike have much to look forward to. When it comes to celebrating this iconic franchise, the party is far from over.
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