Dark Conspiracy the RPG

Mongoose Acquires the Dark Conspiracy Licence

On April 8, 2025

A little late to the party, but Mongoose Publishing recently announced that they have acquired the Dark Conspiracy property (to go along with their previous purchase of the Traveller IP).

Looking forward to seeing where this new reimagining of our favourite Roleplaying game might go, with news that a new edition (utilising the Traveller mechanics) will likely see light of day sometime in 2026.

Here’s the full press release as posted on Facebook –

Last week Mongoose Publishing acquired all rights to the Dark Conspiracy RPG, the classic game pitting players against an ancient and alien horror.

There will be a lot more news in due course, but we are delighted to say that Dark Conspiracy slides right into a project we have been working on and off for nearly two decades – indeed, it will be the final component needed to bring everything together. Expect to see a brand new Dark Conspiracy in 2026.

In the meantime, you can find the original Dark Conspiracy PDF titles on our website – https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/collections/dark-conspiracy-of-the-past

[Interview] Matt Sprange – Head Mongoose

By Marcus Bone

On April 18, 2025

In Interviews, News

With the recent acquisition of the Dark Conspiracy property by Mongoose Publishing (https://www.mongoosepublishing.com/collections/dark-conspiracy-of-the-past), enquiring minds were keen to know what the new owner’s plans might be for the venerable Tabletop Roleplaying game. Matt Sprange (Head Mongoose) has graciously taken the time to chat with me to answer some of those burning questions.

[Review] Evil Triumphant – A Dark Conspiracy Novel

By Marcus Bone

On December 8, 2024

In Reviews

“I knew then why he had acquiesced and why I had been able to prevent the Empress of Diamonds from fleeing this proto-dimension. I was not a synthesizer nor builder. The proto-dimension had lost the Dark Lord that had defined it and shaped it. He had died here, killing the proto-dimension and giving it the same aspect that Fiddleback had given me…Death.”

Evil Triumphant is the third and final book in Michael Stackpole’s Fiddleback Trilogy – the only official series of novels to be set in the world of Dark Conspiracy. Following on from the dramatic events of Evil Ascending, we return to find our protagonist Tycho Caine – and his eclectic collection of erstwhile companions – drawn into the next phase of their battle against the ever-present Dark Lords. Now facing new and unexpected threats, the Minion Hunters will be driven to forge new alliances with old foes in a battle that will stretch their resources, willpower and determination to breaking point. But will such rash decisions prove to be humanity’s salvation or will they offer nothing but doom for beleague Earth? Let’s read on and find out in this climactic finale of the Fiddleback Trilogy!

Be warned spoilers are to follow!

[Review] PC Booster Kit

By Marcus Bone

On November 24, 2023

In Reviews

Written by Lester Smith, with additional design by Frank Chadwick (1992, GDW)

The PC Booster Kit was one of the last releases for Dark Conspiracy, and as such sits in a rather strange space in the overall legacy of gaming. I say this as the PC Booster KIt isn’t your traditional type of release, acting instead as a sort of halfway-house between a rules update and a simple FAQ. To quote Lester directly “This booster kit is designed to enhance your fight. In it, you’ll find rules for expanding character creation, incorporating the results of social status into initial character design, and thereby increasing both skill levels and personal history. There are also a number of new careers that can be followed, including ones that allow the creation of renegade ETs. rogue androids, and canny street urchins.”

But the question, as always, is – was it successful in this mission statement? Does it add to your Dark Conspiracy gaming experience, or is it nothing more than a misguided grab for a few more dollars from GDW? Let’s find out together, shall we, as we take a deep dive into this interesting smorgasbord of diverse and complex content for our favourite RPG.

[Interview] Craig Sheeley – From Darklings to Dark Ones

By Marcus Bone

On April 26, 2022

In Interviews

Although the original incarnation of Dark Conspiracy was only with us for a few brief years, I still stand amazed by just how much material was released for our favourite game in such a short period. Supported by a steady stream of detailed supplements and a multitude of regular articles, Dark Conspiracy was an incredibly well-rounded roleplaying game by the time its first edition disappeared from the local game store shelves (along with the rest of Game Designers Workshop’s catalogue).

But, as I thought about this impressive back catalogue of material, it got me wondering just who and how this ‘machine’ maintained its production line, and surely given the size and budgets of a small gaming company, there must be some secret in making sure Dark Conspiracy thrived and grew?

The answer was obviously, of course, freelancers, those doughty contributors who work – to this day – to ensure that we get our fix of our favourite RPGs. And if we are talking Dark Conspiracy and freelancers then there are few names as prevalent and well respected as Craig Sheeley.

Craig would go on to produce material for numerous publishers, including Steve Jackson Games, R Talsorian and, of course, GDW. In my gaming circles, he’s probably best known as the creator of such iconic darklings as the Mechaniacals (the Symboids), Super Rats (both favourites of DC fans everywhere) and the Ptero-Raven (a creature that I used in my own adventure – Urban Nightmares), and was the author of numerous articles in GDW’s Challenge magazine and various other Dark Conspiracy supplements (including Protodimensions and the Empathic Sourcebook).

Recently, I was able to corner Craig and have a brief chat with him about his time working with GDW and his contributions to gaming in the 90s.