Tabletop Bookshelf Launches First Original Game for ZineQuest
One Way Out, a quick-play dark fantasy TTRPG zine and Tabletop Bookshelf's first original production, launches on Kickstarter as part of ZineQuest 2025
Tabletop Bookshelf comes to ZineQuest with One Way Out, a quick-play dark fantasy RPG of escape and betrayal and the first original release from this growing indie TTRPG and solo game bookstore.
Designed for two players (with optional solo rules), each fast-paced 15-30 minute session of One Way Out pits you against the terrible dangers of the all-powerful High Mages – and each other.
In each session, you and your companion attempt to escape a magical dungeon, The Oubliette, through a series of challenges. During each challenge, players decide whether to fight together or flee apart, leading to a dark choice at the Final Door. During this journey, players reveal their characters' backgrounds through flashbacks.
Gameplay combines card-game mechanics, dice rolls and over 50 evocative prompts to determine the details of each scenario. Together, you and your companion will weave these elements into a short story of triumph or doom.
This work is inspired by Tabletop Bookshelf's curated collection of solo and duet games, including Whispers in the Walls, The Librarian's Apprentice, and I Have The High Ground.
Art, Design, and Editing
Design, writing, and layout will be provided by Tom Gibes, founder of Tabletop Bookshelf. He brings decades of experience across graphic design, game development, and digital media to produce this debut tabletop RPG title.
Editing will be provided by Eric Lazure. Eric has a trove of experience providing a careful eye to quality independent tabletop roleplaying games such as Stoneburner, Substratum Protocol and many more.
The art will be comprised of edited and recontextualized public domain art, primarily that of Harry Clarke, a stained-glass artist and book illustrator. We hope this humble game can serve as an introduction for others to his work.
About Tabletop Bookshelf
Tabletop Bookshelf is an independent online-first bookstore featuring a curated selection of tabletop roleplaying games and solo games. They work directly with independent creators and publishers to bring their incredible work together in one place to discover, explore, and enjoy.
Since making its first sale in December of 2023, Tabletop Bookshelf has delivered thousands of indie and small press tabletop roleplaying games across the country. The shop has become a platform for dozens of indie creators and invested tens of thousands into independent gaming projects.
Tabletop Bookshelf is the project of longtime gamerunner, digital media expert, and busy dad Tom G, based near the birthplace of tabletop roleplaying games in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
