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Recently, popular gaming news site ENWorld release their list of the most anticipated TTRPGs of 2026, as voted by readers. While all of the picks are clearly amazing games, a few seem more about which publishers could whip up the most votes, rather than actual community interest or impact (last year’s top pick, for example, was Legends in the Mist, a game that looks cool, but didn’t have anywhere near the influence of games like Daggerheart of Draw Steel).
With that in mind, we thought we’d break out our own selection of the 10 biggest new TTRPGs coming in 2026. Our criteria is that these have to have a planned release in the next 12 months and are either a completely new game or a significant update or expansion of an existing system. More importantly, we’ve chosen games that are likely to have the biggest impact on the hobby as a whole. To keep things simple, we’ve included the name of each publisher, the estimated release date and where you can learn more.
10. GURPS 4th Edition Revised
Publisher: Steve Jackson Games
Release Date: March 2026
Why We Picked It: GURPS (Generic Universal RolePlaying System) will be celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2026. So it’s only fitting that we’d see new rules, given that the current 4th edition is itself almost 20 years old.
In this, case, however, we won’t be getting a complete overhaul in 2026, but rather a revised GURPS 4e that addresses some of the many rules issues that have persisted over the past two decades, in addition to getting a much needed layout and art refresh.
It will, however, also be completely compatible with the previous core rules, with page numbers remaining completely intact, making this a huge TTRPG release that’s likely to connect with new and existing fans.
9. Mutants & Masterminds
Publisher: Green Ronin Publishing
Release Date: Late 2026
Why We Picked It: Mutants & Masterminds has long been one of the most influential modern superhero RPGs, known for its flexible point-buy system and ability to model virtually any superhero concept.
In 2026, Green Ronin Publishing is delivering Mutants & Masterminds 4th Edition, the game’s first major revision in nearly 15 years. The new edition offers streamlined core mechanics, faster character creation, rebalanced powers, plus new art and layout, all while preserving the system’s signature “one die handles everything” approach.
It’s a long-overdue update to a genre-defining game, and one that could reassert Mutants & Masterminds as a flagship superhero TTRPG for the next generation.
8. Crows RPG
Publisher: MCDM Productions
Release Date: 2026 (TBC)
Why We Picked It: In 2025, MCDM’s Draw Steel was one of the best TTRPGs of the year. And while big things are still happening for the game in 2026, there’s just as much interest in MCDM’s upcoming Crows RPG.
While there’s still a lot we don’t know about the game, we do know that it leverages many of the mechanics of Draw Steel, while also being inspired by OSR style of play, with high levels of lethality and an inventory management system that adds tension and drama to dungeon crawls. The project is being run by longtime MCDM designer James Introcaso (who also oversaw Draw Steel), so expectations are high.
It was playtested extensively in 2025, so it’s likely we’ll see it hit BackerKit in the next few months and launch to the general public in late 2026.
7. Cairn Barebones Edition
Publisher: Cairn Press
Release Date: 2026 (TBC)
Why We Picked It: Over the past few years, Cairn has quietly become one of the most influential rules-light fantasy RPGs in the OSR-adjacent space, praised for its speed, lethality and focus on player ingenuity over complex mechanics.
In 2026, creator Yochai Gal is releasing the Cairn: Barebones Edition, a streamlined version of Cairn 2e that strips away even more meat from the game’s bones in favor of highly randomized, setting-agnostic characters and gear. While mechanically identical to the current edition, the idea with Barebones is to offer a faster, more flexible entry point for new players.
It’s a small book with big implications and another step towards Cairn cementing its place as a cornerstone of modern rules-light RPG design.
6. Old-School Essentials (OSE) Rules Update
Publisher: Necrotic Gnome
Release Date: Mid–Late 2026 (TBC)
Why We Picked It: Since its release in 2019, Old-School Essentials has become one of the most influential systems of the OSR.
In 2026, however, publisher Necrotic Gnome is delivering the game’s most significant release yet. The OSE 2026 Rules Update consolidates a number of overlapping core books and introduces new artwork, optional rules, class changes and rules clarifications – all while remaining fully compatible with existing OSE material.
It’s a major milestone, and one that should keep Old-School Essentials at the center of the OSR this year and for years to come.
5. Discworld: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork
Publisher: Modiphius Entertainment
Release Date: Q2 2026
Why We Picked It: Based on the beloved Discworld novels by Terry Pratchett, Discworld: Adventures in Ankh-Morpork brings the series’ iconic humor and heroism to the tabletop.
Following a successful $3.2 million Kickstarter, Modiphius is releasing a retail edition in 2026, featuring a streamlined core rulebook and a new starter set designed to make the game approachable for both Discworld fans and first-time TTRPG players. The system emphasizes narrative play, wordplay-driven problem solving and story-first mechanics built around the setting’s unique “Narrativium.”
It’s a rare case where tone, theme and mechanics align perfectly, making it one of the most distinctive licensed tabletop RPG releases of 2026.
4. Apocalypse World 3rd Edition
Publisher: Lumpley Games
Release Date: Late 2026 (TBC)
Why We Picked It: First released in 2010, Apocalypse World remains one of the most influential TTRPGs of the modern era, spawning the Powered by the Apocalypse engine and inspiring dozens of major indie games across the hobby.
In 2026, creators Meguey Baker and Vincent Baker are delivering Apocalypse World: Burned Over, a third edition that consolidates 15 years of playtesting and community feedback into a new revised core rulebook. It introduces refined rules, new Playbooks, updated art and optional expansions, while preserving the narrative-first design that made the game so influential in the first place.
It’s a major leap forward for one of tabletop gaming’s most important systems and a release likely to shape the indie TTRPG scene for years to come.
3. Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay Fifth Edition
Publisher: Cubicle 7
Expected Release Date: 2026 (TBC)
Why We Picked It: After almost 40 years, Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay is still going strong. Yet the game isn’t without its fault, with rules crunch that can often slowdown play and some mechanics that have long overstayed their welcome.
In 2026, a new fifth edition of WFRP promises to smooth some of the rougher edges, adding streamlined rules for combat, as well as new character types, careers, spells and monsters. What’s more the new core rules will remain entirely compatible with fourth edition, keeping both new and returning fans happy.
It’s a bold vision for the game, and will undoubtedly be one of the biggest and most anticipated TTRPG releases of 2026.
2. Mistborn World Guide
Publisher: Brotherwise Games
Release Date: Fall 2026
Why We Picked It: Based on the bestselling Mistborn novels by Brandon Sanderson, this new campaign setting brings one of modern fantasy’s most popular and mechanically distinctive worlds to the tabletop.
Launching under the umbrella of the Cosmere RPG (which shattered records after raising over $15 million USD on Kickstarter), the Mistborn campaign tie-in focuses on the ash-choked world of Scadrial, featuring rules built around the Metallic Arts and support for both Era One and Era Two campaigns.
With an enormous built-in fandom and record-breaking crowdfunding, the Mistborn World Guide is likely going to make a huge impact when it finally launches in 2026.
1. Shadowdark: The Western Reaches
Publisher: Arcane Library
Release Date: 2026 (TBC)
Why We Picked It: Shadowdark has quickly become one of the most influential indie TTRPGs of the past decade, blending old-school dungeon crawling with modern design sensibilities and simple, but impactful rules.
In 2026, creator Kelsey Dionne is launching Shadowdark’s biggest tie-in yet in the form of The Western Reaches, a massive new setting and rules expansion. The project introduces new regions, factions, character options, monsters and campaign tools. The 2025 Kickstarter campaign raised nearly $3 million USD, underscoring just how large and engaged the Shadowdark community has become.
It’s a landmark moment for a modern classic and likely going to be one of the biggest TTRPG releases of 2026.