The Pioneer RPG Live On Kickstarter

Get ready to strap in, space cadets! The Pioneer RPG, a near-future tabletop roleplaying game from Mongoose Publishing, has successfully launched on Kickstarter and is already charting a course for deep space with a stellar funding performance.

This isn’t your typical star-hopping space opera; Pioneer offers a grounded, science-fact experience that puts you on the cutting edge of human exploration, just 10 to 30 years into our future.

What is The Pioneer RPG?

Pioneer is a standalone TTRPG that allows players to take on the roles of the first true space explorers—the ones who will make humanity an interplanetary species.

The Setting: Imagine a world where commercial spaceflight is routine, the Moon is being colonized, and the first manned mission to Mars is about to launch. This game is set in a plausible, near-future inner solar system, drawing inspiration from grounded sci-fi like The Martian, Gravity, and For All Mankind.

The Missions: Your adventures won’t involve laser pistols or warp drives. Instead, you’ll be tasked with daring, realistic missions:

• Building the first permanent bases on the Moon.
• Establishing the first Martian outpost.
• Conducting high-stakes rescues in Low Earth Orbit.
• Mining an asteroid for precious resources.

The Threat: The greatest enemy in Pioneer isn’t an alien armada or a shadowy megacorp—it’s the harsh, unforgiving environment of space itself. You’ll battle radiation exposure, equipment failure, the vacuum of space, and the crushing isolation of long-duration travel.

The Traveller Legacy: Rules You Can Trust

Pioneer is built upon the robust foundation of the classic and beloved Traveller rules system.

While it is entirely a standalone Core Rulebook—meaning you don’t need any other Traveller books to play—veteran players will recognize the familiar character generation and skill check mechanics. The system has been expertly adapted to focus on:

Grounded Technology: Utilizing plausible, real-world (or near-future) tech and modular spacecraft design.

Detailed Hazards: Specific rules for handling zero-gravity maneuvers, radiation sickness, and life support systems failure, adding real tension to every action.

Pioneering Careers: Character creation includes diverse backgrounds—from engineers and scientists to military personnel, media personalities, and even billionaire patrons—reflecting the variety of roles needed for this monumental undertaking.

Why Back the Kickstarter?

The Kickstarter campaign offers backers the best way to get their hands on the core game and a wealth of expanded content:

• The Core Rulebook: A complete and beautifully laid-out book containing all the rules for character creation, space travel, and running missions.
• Expanded Content: Stretch goals and higher pledge tiers often unlock supplements like a Referee’s Screen, the Pioneer Companion (with variant rules and side missions), and the first full-length campaign detailing humanity’s inaugural mission to Mars.
• Free Shipping: Mongoose Publishing often offers free worldwide shipping on their campaigns, making this an excellent value for backers around the globe.
• Community: By backing, you join a community of enthusiasts dedicated to science-fact roleplaying, getting early access to PDFs and having a say in unlocked content.

The campaign has proven to be an immediate success, rocketing past its initial funding goal in days. If you’re a fan of hard science fiction and want to play a game where every decision—and every roll of the dice—could be the difference between making history and drifting into the void, The Pioneer RPG is your next great adventure.

The Pioneer RPG Kickstarter is currently running and scheduled to conclude on Saturday, November 29, 2025 .

Don’t miss your chance to be a part of the next great space frontier!