Our Story

At Critical Kit, we don’t just make games — we create worlds that you bring to life.

And to do so, we have a few very simple ethics that drive our independent business:

  • To have a game for everyone.
  • To publish games that are quick to learn but rich in content.
  • To introduce exciting new creators to the world.
  • To pay our creators for their hard work in perpetuity.
  • To print and pack with the environment in mind.
  • To always be independent.

Founded by writer and designer Tim Roberts, Critical Kit is an independent publisher of tabletop role-playing games for storytellers, created by storytellers. From solo journaling RPGs that let you explore strange, beautiful worlds, to fast-paced one-shots and unforgettable campaign settings, our games are designed to spark your imagination and invite you to play differently.

Our bestsellers include Be Like a Crow, a solo RPG about becoming a bird with attitude, and Punk is Dead, a post-apocalyptic love letter to rebellion, noise, and community. We’ve also got bite-sized adventures, crowd-funded creations, and a growing library of third-party titles from some of the most exciting voices in indie gaming.

We believe role-playing games should be accessible, emotionally rich, and just the right amount of weird. Whether you’re a lone wanderer with a pen and a deck of cards, or part of a late-night heist crew powered by d6s and chaos, there’s a Critical Kit game waiting for you.

We bring the games. You bring the stories.