Hey everyone, here's an update:
I wanted to share a bit about how PITCHFORK Extended came to be, how it connects to the OGREISH framework, and how it just got funded on Kickstarter in only 25 hours!
From OGREISH to Folk Horror Villagers
PITCHFORK started as an experiment – an offshoot of OGREISH, built to explore the framework’s potential for survival-driven, high-stakes storytelling. Instead of warriors, outlaws, or treasure hunters, this game focuses on ordinary villagers – blacksmiths, shepherds, and midwives – who must stand against an unnatural terror creeping into their world. The mechanics emphasize collaboration, difficult choices, and an unforgiving environment, all rooted in OGREISH’s design philosophy.
The idea was first distilled into a one-page RPG for the One-Page RPG Jam here on itch.io, where it resonated with players who enjoyed its grounded tension and brutal simplicity. That jam was a huge catalyst – it gave the game its first audience and proved that the concept had something worth expanding.
A Kickstarter Success Story
After seeing the response, we decided to take PITCHFORK further, fleshing it out with more tools for GMs and players, expanded mechanics, and deeper worldbuilding. We launched a Kickstarter on February 24th, and within just 25 hours, it was fully funded!
For a small, unknown game with no big marketing push, this was beyond what we expected. The fact that so many backers took a chance on PITCHFORK proves that there’s an appetite for games that mix folk horror, survival, and community-driven storytelling.
What’s Next?
With funding secured, we’re now working on making this zine-sized RPG the best it can be, packed with rich storytelling tools, evocative art, and the kind of mechanical depth that rewards player-driven narratives.
If you’re interested, you can still check out and support the Kickstarter here:
https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/empathchamber/pitchfork-extended-rpg
And if you want to see where it all began, the original One-Page RPG version is still available on itch.io, thanks to the amazing community that helped bring it to life!
Huge thanks to itch.io, the One-Page RPG Jam, and everyone in the indie RPG space who has supported this project. Excited to see where it goes next!
– Christian