In the vast, ever-expanding ecosystem of tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs), the genre of "absurdist fantasy" is often treated as a niche. However, a new project from designer Sam Armstrong is poised to bring the chaotic, high-stakes comedy of Monty Python and What We Do in the Shadows to the gaming table. Titled Hello Wizard, I Have a Problem, this upcoming tabletop RPG flips the traditional power-fantasy script, inviting players to step into the robes of exceptionally powerful—and catastrophically incompetent—spellcasters. Main Facts: The Premise of Magical Chaos At its core, Hello Wizard, I Have a Problem is a collaborative storytelling experience designed to prioritize improvisation and hilarity over rigid mechanical simulation. Unlike traditional Dungeons & Dragons-style games, where the focus is often on success, overcoming obstacles, and character optimization, this title focuses entirely on the "fumble." The central conceit is simple: you are a wizard, you are trying to impress your peers, and every single spell you cast is destined to go horribly, hilariously wrong. The game utilizes a shared-GM structure, meaning there is no singular dungeon master holding all the cards. Instead, players rotate roles. When a player takes the spotlight as the active "Wizard," they describe a grand, reality-bending spell they intend to cast. Immediately, the other players—acting as a collective Games Master—intervene to determine exactly how the magic unravels. The game is designed for groups who enjoy low-barrier-to-entry mechanics. It is intended to be picked up, played, and resolved in a single session, making it an ideal "palate cleanser" for groups who usually engage in long-form, serious campaigns. Chronology: The Road to Publication The project’s journey reflects the modern landscape of independent TTRPG publishing. Early Development: Designer Sam Armstrong, known for titles such as All Bastard (a game centered on the moral ambiguity of "heroes" versus their victims) and the horror-focused Slasher, began developing the concept as a response to the overly complex, math-heavy systems currently dominating the market. Collaboration: Armstrong tapped illustrator Evlyn Moreau—a luminary in the indie RPG art scene, known for their work on Liminal High School—to provide the visual identity of the game. Moreau’s whimsical, vibrant style was deemed the perfect fit for the game’s chaotic energy. Crowdfunding Launch: The game was brought to Kickstarter to gauge community interest and fund the print run. The campaign quickly gained traction due to its accessible price point and the clear, high-concept nature of the rules. The Final Stretch: As of the current date, the crowdfunding campaign is nearing its conclusion. Following the campaign, Armstrong plans to distribute the digital files via their Itch.io storefront, with physical copies expected to ship to backers by June. Supporting Data: The Mechanics of Failure The "engine" of Hello Wizard is a testament to its design philosophy. Rather than relying on complex tables of damage types or status effects, the game provides a robust "Problem Generator." The Problem Generator The rulebook includes a massive, built-in randomization system that allows for over 200,000 unique prompts for magical disasters. This ensures that no two sessions feel the same. Whether a spell intended to summon a loaf of bread ends up manifesting an interdimensional gateway in the wizard’s pantry, or a firebolt turns the wizard’s own beard into a sentient, sarcastic entity, the generator provides the scaffolding for the group to improvise. The Scoring System Perhaps the most "absurdist" element of the game is its scoring system. Because there is no mechanical "victory" in the traditional sense, the game utilizes a loose, improv-based tally system. Once every player has occupied the spotlight a sufficient number of times, the group discusses the most impressive (or the most disastrously memorable) moments of the session. The player who garnered the most "points"—awarded based on narrative flair and creative failure—is crowned the most impressive wizard. This serves as a subversion of the competitive nature of RPGs, turning "winning" into a subjective, humorous social construct. Official Perspectives and Creative Intent In discussions regarding the game’s design, Sam Armstrong has emphasized that the goal was to remove the "fear of failure" that plagues many tabletop gamers. In most systems, failing a roll feels like a loss of agency or a setback. In Hello Wizard, failure is the primary engine of the plot. "The best stories are rarely about the hero who does everything right," Armstrong noted in project updates. "The best stories are about the people who try to fix the world and accidentally set it on fire instead." By offloading the role of the GM to the group, the game effectively eliminates the "us versus them" dynamic between the GM and the players. Every player has a stake in making every other player’s spellcasting look as ridiculous as possible. This creates a supportive, high-energy environment where the goal is to make your friends laugh rather than to defeat a monster. Implications for the TTRPG Industry The rise of Hello Wizard, I Have a Problem signals a larger shift in the tabletop industry. For years, the hobby was dominated by systems that favored tactical combat and extensive lore. Recently, however, there has been a resurgence of interest in "rules-light" games—titles that fit on a few pages, require no preparation, and can be played in under three hours. The "Rules-Light" Movement This shift is significant for several reasons: Accessibility: New players are often intimidated by 300-page rulebooks. Games like Hello Wizard remove that barrier, encouraging a wider demographic of people to try TTRPGs. Improv Over Mechanics: By leaning into improvisation, these games attract writers, actors, and comedy enthusiasts who might not have been drawn to the "wargaming" roots of the hobby. Community-Driven Design: The success of projects like this on platforms like Kickstarter and Itch.io proves that there is a dedicated market for quirky, experimental, and hyper-focused games. The Future of "Comedy RPGs" While comedy has always been a component of TTRPGs—often manifested in "murder-hobo" playstyles where players ignore the plot to cause chaos—Hello Wizard formalizes this. By building the comedy into the mechanics, the game prevents the "cringe factor" that can occur when players try to force jokes into a serious setting. The game gives players "permission" to be silly, providing a structured framework where absurdity is the intended outcome. Conclusion: Is It For You? If your gaming group is looking for a break from the high-stakes political intrigue of modern fantasy epics or the brutal lethality of dungeon crawlers, Hello Wizard, I Have a Problem offers a refreshing alternative. It is a game that values the "bit" over the "stat block" and ensures that even when your character fails, the table wins. With a pledge of £8 ($10) for the physical edition and a mere £4 ($5) for the PDF, the financial barrier is as low as the game’s learning curve. As the crowdfunding campaign draws to a close, the project serves as a reminder of the core purpose of tabletop gaming: a group of friends gathering to create something unexpected, chaotic, and deeply, uncontrollably funny. Whether you are a seasoned veteran of the tabletop world or someone who has never touched a polyhedral die, Hello Wizard invites you to stop trying to be a hero and start trying to be a disaster. Post navigation Casting Chaos: An In-Depth Look at ‘Hello Wizard, I Have a Problem’
