It’s no secret I’m a fan of Solo TTRPGs. They’ve existed in the hobby in one form or another almost from the beginning, but really came into their own over the last five years or so. It’s no surprise that an isolating incident like COVID would contribute to their popularity, but I think they have a broader appeal and utility to players and GMs alike. So many solo games are built around creating some sort of physical artifact through play, whether that’s a map, a journal, or a history of a world, land, city, or object. This allows an interesting opportunity for game prep through play, which is I think the main reason I love solo games so much.
“Solo TTRPGs sound great, Brent, but where could I possibly find a broad range of games for an incredibly reasonable price?” Friend, you’re in luck! For the third year in a row, Cat McDonald (@CatlingGun on Twitter) has organized Solo But Not Alone, a bundle of Solo TTRPGs by creators from all over the world. The bundle is bursting at the seams with 149 games generously contributed by 105 creators, all for a ridiculously affordable $10 (you are encouraged to donate more, of course).
As always the bundle is raising funds in support of Jasper’s Game Day. Jasper’s Game Day aims to prevent suicides by funding education, outreach, and supports so that everyone knows they are Not A Critical Failure. Their mission has always been important, but during the additional isolation and pressures of the pandemic it has become critical, live-saving work.
One of the things I appreciate about Cat’s bundles is that they don’t just dump a bunch of games in your lap and leave you struggling to sort through them all. The bundle includes a glossary of all the games included, broken out by type of Solo TTRPG and theme. So if you play a game and like it, you can easily find others in the same style, or check out other games by that creator, or focus in on just horror journaling games. Frankly, I wish more bundles did this, and it’s a sign of how much Cat cares about the folks grabbing the bundle.
So follow the link from this page or from Cat’s Twitter, and grab a copy for yourself. Heck, the bundle makes a great birthday or “Just Because” gift for your friends as well. The Solo But Not Alone bundle is a great way to begin an exploration of a wonderfully creative area of out hobby. And if you are already deep in the Solo TTRPG life, this bundle features games not contained in the previous two Solo But Not Alone bundles. So plenty of new material to add to your digital library!
As a final note, take some time to say thank you to the contributors to this bundle by leaving five star ratings for the Solo games they donated. And if you like the game, consider leaving them a review on Itch as well. Both the rating and review really help creators out and it’s a great way to let them know their contribution is appreciated. And hey, let me know in comments what you think of the games when you play them. I would love to hear from you!
You can find the Solo But Not Alone 3 fundraising bundle at itch.io/b/1692/solo-but-not-alone-3.
