Rebellion Unplugged Acquires Rights To Tunnels & Trolls

If you’ve ever found yourself with a handful of six-sided dice and a thirst for adventure—but no dungeon master in sight—you likely owe a debt of gratitude to Tunnels & Trolls (T&T). Originally released in 1975 as the world’s second-ever fantasy roleplaying game, T&T carved out a legacy as the approachable, irreverent, and solo-friendly alternative to “That Other Game” (D&D).

Now, after decades of cult-classic status, a massive new chapter is beginning. Rebellion Unplugged, the tabletop division of the studio behind Sniper Elite and 2000 AD, has officially acquired the rights to T&T and is ready to bring it into a “New Age.”

Rebellion’s acquisition isn’t just a business move; it’s a passion project. Rebellion CEO Jason Kingsley OBE has often cited T&T as a childhood inspiration that sparked his lifelong love of fantasy. By bringing the Flying Buffalo catalog under the Rebellion umbrella, the team has secured not just the core rules, but the entire “heritage” of the system, including:

• Grimtooth’s Traps: The infamous guides to lethal dungeon design.

• Citybook: The gold standard for fantasy urban supplements.

• Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes: The classic modern-setting RPG.

While the “Heritage” versions of these books will remain available in PDF form to honor the past, Rebellion is looking firmly toward the future.

Way back in 2016 we did a interview with Ken St Andrew the creator of Tunnels & Trolls. Note – this was along time and we have gotten better with our equipment so this is not the best quality 🙂 I would like to think we are much better now..

Tunnels & Trolls: A New Age

Designed by Scott Malthouse (Romance of the Perilous Land) and Chris Bissette (The Wretched), the upcoming version—titled Tunnels & Trolls: A New Age—is a “bold reimagining” of the classic.

The new edition seeks to balance the quirky, fast-paced DNA of Ken St. Andre’s original design with modern sensibilities. Here is what we know so far:

• The Setting: The game introduces The Trollmark, a world where ancient stone behemoths (trolls) once ravaged the land before turning back to stone, their massive bodies literally forming the continents.

• Streamlined Mechanics: The game sticks to its roots using pools of six-sided dice (d6s). The “exploding dice” mechanic returns, allowing for cinematic stunts and high-stakes heroism.

• Solo Play at the Core: T&T practically invented solo roleplaying, and A New Age honors this with Solo Sidequests, allowing you to take your campaign character on individual adventures when your group can’t meet.

The Kickstarter: Mark Your Calendars

The wait for the full release is almost over. Rebellion Unplugged has announced that the Kickstarter for Tunnels & Trolls: A New Age will launch on March 17, 2026.

1. The Kickstarter (Launching March 17, 2026)

The official campaign page is now live for you to follow. By clicking “Notify me on launch,” you’ll be among the first to see the exclusive deluxe editions and stretch goals when it goes live on St. Patrick’s Day.

• Official Kickstarter Link: Tunnels & Trolls: A New Age

2. The Beta Quickstart Rules (Available Now)

Rebellion Unplugged has released a 42-page Beta Quickstart Guide for free on DriveThruRPG. This PDF includes a condensed version of the new rules, character creation guidelines, and the introductory adventure Trouble Brewing.

• Download the Free Beta Quickstart Rules here

3. Join the Community

If you want to help shape the future of the game or find groups to play with before the full launch, you can join the Game Masters Guild or sign up for the official newsletter via the Rebellion Unplugged website:

• Rebellion Unplugged T&T Homepage

Quick Note for Players: This new edition introduces the Trollmark setting and streamlines the classic “dice pool” system—but don’t worry, the “Heritage” versions of the classic 1975 rules and supplements will remain available for those who want to keep the old-school flame burning!