[SHADOWRUN] Anarchy 2.0 Coming this Summer To Kickstarter ! 27/06/2025

Catalyst Game Labs and Black Book Editions Announce Shadowrun: Anarchy 2.0 – Coming to Kickstarter on Tuesday, August 26th!

June, 27th 2025 — Catalyst Game Labs (CGL) and Black Book Editions (BBE) are thrilled to announce the upcoming launch of Shadowrun: Anarchy 2.0, the rules-light alternative core book for the legendary Shadowrun roleplaying game. Set to debut on Kickstarter this summer (Tuesday, August 26th), this new edition builds on a rich legacy of cyberpunk-fantasy storytelling, while making the game more accessible than ever.

Registration Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackbook/shadowrun-anarchy-20

A Fresh Gateway into the Sixth World

Staying true to Shadowrun’s iconic blend of near-future cyberpunk grit and arcane mysticism, Anarchy 2.0 offers a fast, cinematic approach to the Sixth World—ideal for newcomers or those who prefer narrative-first gameplay. It retains the franchise’s beloved setting and rich character creation options while paring down detailed mechanics to spotlight storytelling and action.

“Shadowrun: Anarchy is a standout entry in the broader Shadowrun universe,” said Jason Hardy, Creative Director at CGL’s RPG Division. “It delivers a fresh take on the game while remaining faithful to the essence of what makes Shadowrun unique. Players can choose how deeply they want to dive into the lore and customization, making it as light or as rich as they prefer. Nine years after the first edition of Anarchy, the time is right for a new evolution of this alternate ruleset—and we’re thoroughly impressed by what the passionate team at Black Book Editions has achieved.”

This edition is specifically designed to welcome new runners to the table, including those unfamiliar with decades of Shadowrun metaplot. Whether you're a veteran GM or someone who's always been curious about Shadowrun but intimidated by its rules, Anarchy 2.0 is your chance to jack in.

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A Legacy of Passion and Experience

Shadowrun: Anarchy 2.0 is written, developed, and illustrated by BBE’s seasoned localization team—the same experts who have handled the French edition of Shadowrun for over 20 years. This long-standing partnership, one of the most enduring in the TTRPG industry, brings unmatched expertise and community insight to the project.

"We’re extremely proud to contribute such a significant piece of Shadowrun history," said David Burckle, CEO of Black Book Editions. "The French version of Anarchy 1st Edition benefited from our localization team’s extensive experience, and introduced thousands of new players to the game. With Anarchy 2.0, we’re going even further since we get to build it from the ground up."

In France and on French-speaking markets, sales of Shadowrun: Anarchy are nearly on par with the traditional Sixth World Edition, itself the most popular edition to date for BBE. Nearly half of Anarchy’s player base is composed of first-time Shadowrun players—a testament to the demand for a more accessible format.

Registration Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackbook/shadowrun-anarchy-20

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Streamlined Mechanics, Bigger Action

Built on Shadowrun’s core system of rolling pools of six-sided dice (with 5s and 6s counting as hits), Anarchy 2.0 introduces new mechanics designed to empower players and speed up gameplay, including:

• Edge Pool: A personal narrative resource that lets players sway dice results and story outcomes.

• Legwork Phase: Prep like pros. Build a collective Edge pool during planning, then spend it to overcome obstacles on the fly.

• Advantage/Disadvantage: Tweak the rules of success—maybe 4s count as hits, or maybe only 6s do.

• Adjustable Risk Dice: Push your luck—whether good or bad, some rolls may count twice!

These tools ensure rapid-fire action and narrative momentum, cutting down on bookkeeping without sacrificing Shadowrun’s iconic dice rolls.

“With this new edition, we’re directly addressing community feedback and implementing some of the most requested changes to the original Anarchy,” said Anarchy 2.0 lead designer Mathieu Thivin. “Most notably, we’ve removed the cap on the number of spells a character can use, added a system for players to use Edge to bypass lengthy planning phases, and introduced a streamlined approach to managing and playing contacts. While we still include optional rules for shared narration or even playing without a GM, the default experience focuses on classic narration, making it easy to pick up and run.”

Watch the Anarchy 2.0 beta liveplay at Pax Unplugged

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Gear Up with Exclusive Editions and Art

The Kickstarter campaign will offer both standard and limited collector’s editions of the core rulebook, as well as a beautifully designed GM screen featuring exclusive artwork by longtime Shadowrun illustrator Benjamin Giletti, who also created all the artwork in the core book. Stretch goals will let backers unlock extra bonus content.

Fully written, fully illustrated, and currently undergoing final proofreading, the English and French versions of Anarchy 2.0 will launch simultaneously on Kickstarter this summer and are scheduled for release in 2026. The project will be managed by Black Book Editions, who are currently fulfilling their latest English-language TTRPG title, Cats! The Conspurracy.

Registration Link: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/blackbook/shadowrun-anarchy-20