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First launched back in 2010, Apocalypse World has since become one of the most influential tabletop RPGs of all time, with its popular Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) engine being adopted by dozens of games, with everything from indie darlings like Ironsworn and Monster of the Week, to major IPs like the Avatar: The Last Airbender and Root RPGs.
Now, the game that started it all is getting a major overhaul, with husband and wife design team Meguey and Vincent Baker recently launching a new Kickstarter for Apocalypse World: Burned Over, the third edition of their groundbreaking TTRPG. The project was funded less than 20 minutes after its launch and has the potential to usher in a new era of indie game design.
Below, we venture into the wastelands and take a closer look at what to expect from this latest version of Apocalypse World.
What’s the “Apocalypse World: Burned Over” Kickstarter about?
Apocalypse World: Burned Over is the third edition of the popular Apocalypse World RPG. It takes place in the same setting as previous editions, in a brutal wasteland fifty years into the future, with players stalking through the charred ruins of civilization while battling scavengers, monsters and psychic storms.
The third edition core rulebook will be around 300 pages in length and includes revised text, minor rules adjustments, new art and new Playbooks (a combination of character sheet and class rules). It’s primary goal is to consolidate fifteen years of community feedback and playtesting, while also retaining the core elements of the Powered by the Apocalypse system.
The Bakers will also be releasing several optional Playbook sets through the Kickstarter, including:
- The Burned Over Extended Playbooks, featuring new archetypes like the Symbiote, No One and Quarantine.
- Warriors of the World Ablaze, which reimagines the apocalypse through a sword and sorcery lens.
- The Classic Playbooks, Updated, bringing back originals like the Battlebabe, Gunlugger and Skinner.
What are the “Apocalypse World: Burned Over” backer options?
While a lot of Kickstarters throw in minis, accessories and other tchotchkes, Apocalypse World: Burned Over is keeping things simple, focusing primarily on physical and digital copies of the rules and even offering a lower cost option (a rarity in crowdfunding):
- Digital Reduced ($10 USD): This option is designed for those on a fixed income and includes the core rulebook in PDF and plaintext, along with downloadable playbooks and reference sheets.
- Digital Full Price ($20 USD): The standard digital edition featuring the same digital content as above at full price for those who can afford it.
- Print ($40 USD):A paperback copy of the new 3rd Edition rulebook, plus all digital files.
- Retailer Pack ($90 USD): A bundle of five paperback copies at a discount, including digital copies.
- PbtA Creator Pay-it-Back ($150 USD): A voluntary tier for designers who’ve published successful Powered by the Apocalypse games, including print and digital editions plus add-on content.
- PbtA Publisher Pay-it-Back ($1,500 USD): A similar voluntary tier for established publishers who have incorporated PbtA games into their business.
Fulfillment is scheduled for December 2026, with European printing and distribution handled by the Italian publisher Grumpy Bear in order to help manage international shipping rates.
What is the Apocalypse World RPG?
First published in 2010, Apocalypse World is widely regarded as one of the most influential tabletop RPGs of the modern era. Created by award-winning husband and wife designers Meguey and Vincent Baker, its minimalist mechanics and narrative-first focus has spawned dozens of spin-offs across multiple genres using the Powered by the Apocalypse (PbtA) engine. This includes games like Dungeon World, The Sprawl, Masks, Avatar Legends, Ironsworn, Monster of the Week and Thirsty Sword Lesbians, to name just a few. In 2016, a second edition of the game was successfully Kickstarted in 2016, which introduced a number of rules tweaks and quality of life improvements.
At its core, Apocalypse World uses simple mechanics built around “Moves” that trigger when characters take specific narrative actions. Players then roll 2d6 plus a relevant stat, with results divided into three ranges: 10+ is a full success, 7–9 is a partial success (often with complications) and 6 or less is a failure.
Notably, the Game Master (referred to as the Master of Ceremonies or MC) never actually rolls dice. Instead, they describe the world, play out threats and react to player choices. The result is a collaborative, fiction-first style of play where the rules reinforce narrative flow, conflict and character development.
Why is “Apocalypse World: Burned Over” worth backing?
- A milestone in TTRPG design: The third edition of Apocalypse World revisits one of the most important games of the last 15 years, refining the system that inspired an entire generation of indie designers.
- Streamlined production: The campaign focuses on a clean, direct release that’s all about the rules rather than trying to cram in unnecessary stretch goals.
- Optional expansions: Additional Playbook packs go beyond the Apocalypse World setting, offering new material and character options for other genres and styles of play.
- Sustainable printing: The team has said that, where possible, they’ll print physical materials through local union and co-op presses while using recycled and FSC-certified paper.
Final Thoughts
Apocalypse World: Burned Over isn’t just another edition of the core game. It also represents a major new milestone for one of tabletop’s most flexible and influential systems, with the potential to usher in a whole new era of indie game design.
We’ll be keeping a close eye on this story in the days ahead and will update this page with new information as it’s made available. In the meantime, you can back Apocalypse World: Burned Over now on Kickstarter.