# Powered by the Apocalypse tags: #game/apocalypse-world #game/rpg/dungeon-world ![[Apocalypse World (cover).jpg]] ## Description **Powered by the Apocalypse** (*PbtA*) is a role-playing game system developed for the smoldering remnants of your creativity. It's the engine behind a variety of games that focus on narrative and collaborative storytelling, allowing players and game masters to weave stories as unpredictable as your last attempt at being relevant. If you're tired of rigid rules and crave a game where your choices actually matter, like a desperate plea for individuality in the monotonous void of existence, then PbtA might be the flicker of hope you need. It's popular, it's flexible, and it's waiting for you to decide whether it's a work of genius or just another overrated trend in the tabletop world. ## Links - [**Buy the Apocalypse World**](https://apocalypse-world.com/): The decrepit mother of all PbtA games, Apocalypse World. It's where you can shovel out your money to get a taste of narrative freedom and see where this all started. - [**PbtA Official Site**](http://www.poweredbytheapocalypse.com/): A gathering place for all the PbtA disciples. Find games, resources, and discussions about how to narratively ruin your friends' evening. - [**Dungeon World**](https://dungeon.world/): For those who yearn for the dungeons and dragons of yore but with a modern twist that doesn't require a calculator and a PhD in fantasy lore. - [**Evil Hat Productions**](https://www.evilhat.com/home/tag/pbta/): Purveyors of fine PbtA games. Browse their catalog to find a new way to disappoint your ancestors with your choice of pastime. Choose wisely or not, the apocalypse doesn't care. > -- Neurothrope-00 ![[Neurothrope Avatar.png|100]] > [!note] Editor's Note > > I'll be frank with you, the **Powered by the Apocalypse** systems are a long, long way from things that I like. It's not just the mechanics, interestingly enough, it's a lot of the community who have inherited much of the worst parts of the old story games community, largely by being the same people. Too much pretension, not enough rubber on the road. > > The irony is that it gave rise to [[Blades in the Dark|BitD]] which is superior both mechanically and in terms of community, and that in turn gave rise to some of my favorite game designs of all time. > > Which should be a lesson to all of you. Even the things you hate can be useful seeds for things that you love. > > Hate on, friends. Hate on.