Deep Dives & Hidden Gems: Building Thematic Bookcases

General
1

With the Nebula Finalists bundle currently on sale, I’ve been diving back into past packages offered over the years.

While I believe it’s essential to support authors by buying their games on release, I also love promoting these bundles. They are a fantastic way to ensure past works aren’t “lost” or overlooked by new readers as the library list continue to increase. By organizing stories by specific themes and promote past works could helps new readers discover gems they might otherwise miss.

SO on that aspect I would like to hear if you think the following stories “package” idea would be interesting to propose going on first by theme:

:high_voltage: / CYBERPUNK / :cityscape:

--------------------------
/  Dystopian Superpowers /                                  
--------------------------
could include:
        #1- Metahuman Inc          (2015)  by Paul Gresty               / CoG /
        #2- Ratings War            (2015)  by Eddy Webb                 / CoG /
        #3- Silent Gear            (2014)  by Lee Yuan                  / HG  /
        #4- The 3Games             (2016)  by E. Bícová & A. Michalcová / HG  / 
        #5- Fifty                  (2021)  by Rustem Khafizov           / HG  / 

Possible Options to Add: 

->  Welcome to Morey town          (2017)  by S. Andrew Swann           / CoG /
->  Rent-a-Vice                    (2018)  by Natalia Theodoridou       / CoG /

This collection includes:

  • Augmented Humanity: Stories exploring humans enhanced through cybernetic implants or chemical stimulants.

  • Dystopian Settings: Environments ranging from elite corporate towers to crumbling urban slums.

  • Survival Elements: High-stakes “Survival Game” dynamics.

  • Social Justice: At least two stories centered on investigating human rights abuses.

For this specific package, I’ve limited the selection to 5 titles that focus on gritty, futuristic themes. My goal was to prioritize “hard” science fiction over the supernatural elements usually found in Urban Fantasy.

NEXT would be about:

:woman_supervillain: / SUPERHEROES / :superhero:

----------------------
/  Masks & Glamour  /
---------------------
could include:

   #1 Posthuman: Guardians vs PSION        (2026) by Evan J. Peterson    / CoG /
   #2 Drag Star!                           (2019) by Evan J. Peterson    / CoG /
   #3 The Hero Project: Redemption Season  (2016) by Zachary Sergi       / CoG /
   #4 A Wise Use of Time                   (2015) by Jim Dattilo         / CoG /
   #5 Balance of Superpower                (2020) by Rustem Khafizov     / HG  /

Possible Options to Add: 

 ->  The Last Scion          (2025) by D. G. P. Rector                   / CoG / 
 ->  Unsupervised            (2024) by Lucas Zaper & Morton Newberry     / CoG /
 ->  Paradigm City           (2017) by James Rhoden                      / HG  /
 ->  Demon: Recollect        (2020) by B’athala                          / HG  /

The “Posthuman: Guardians vs. PSION” Companion Guide :man_superhero::high_voltage:

After beta-testing the upcoming Posthuman: Guardians vs. PSION, I started thinking: which titles best complement this experience for a first-time player? Rather than a standard bundle, consider this a curated roadmap to the themes, cameos, and vibes found in the game.

The “Author’s Canon” Pick:
Since Guardians vs. PSION features a clever cameo from the author’s previous work, Drag Star! is officially part of this universe. It’s not a superhero story, but it’s a fun, essential read to see another side of this extending world.

The Reality TV Angle:
Building on the media-circus feel of Drag Star!, I recommend The Hero Project: Redemption Season It’s a perfect entry point for a new protagonist taken from the Hero Rise series that directly get immersed in a superhero reality show.

The Power Specialists
Guardians vs. PSION introduces two side characters with very specific, high-level powers. To capture those specific “power fantasies,” and possibly give the player a way to experience a side view story I suggest to either try:

The Student Perspective
While there are many “hero school” excellent reads like Community College Hero or the more recent Heroes of Tomorrow: Hidden Potential, I feel Balance of Superpower best matches the specific tone of the mentorship and cadet roles you encounter in Posthuman.

The former “Sidekicks” & Government Registration Vibe:
The veteran characters in this story often feel like graduated sidekicks dealing with government registration. Unsupervised is the perfect thematic match for that “former sidekick” and regulatory tension on this aspect Paradigm City too could be called an honorary mention.

Embracing the Dark Side:
For players drawn to the “villainous” innuendos and darker flavor text (reminiscent of popular media animated tv show: Hazbin Hotel), Hosted Games with Demon: Recollect offer a more serious, gritty take on the “evil” side than the comedic options in the main library.

Which one of these titles are you most excited to explore alongside the new release or feel more attracted to? Let me know!

In the meanwhile Happy gaming, and remember: keep support your favorite authors! :rocket:

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2

Adding to the previous post the following concepts with the intent of expand further the very experimental “High Adventure” Bundle that tackle the following genre:

:treasure_chest: / ADVENTURE / :small_airplane:

  • :snake: “It belongs in a museum!” :hindu_temple:
   ------------------------------| Relic Hunters |------------------------------
   
   Could Include: 

    #1 - To the City of the Clouds           (2012) by Catherine Bailey    /CoG/
    #2 - Cliffhanger: Challenger of Tomorrow (2021) by William Brown       /CoG/
    #3 - Tomb of the Khan                    (2016) by Todd Maternowski    /HG /
    #4 - Treasure of the Forbidden City      (2017) by McAleese & Kristoph /HG /
    #5 - Relics of the Lost Age              (2021) by James Shaw          /HG /

   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Possible Additions: 

     -> Journey into Darkness                (2020) by Jonathan Clark      /HG /
     -> Relics 2: The Crusader’s Tomb        (2022) by James Shaw          /HG /
     -> The Golden Rose: Book One            (2022) by Ana Ventura         /HG /
  • All titles in this package try to focuses on:

    • Archaeological Expeditions: Diving into ancient tombs, forgotten ruins, and long-lost civilizations.

    • Mission Recovery: The high-stakes task of retrieving powerful or historical relics before they fall into the wrong hands.

    • Global Travel: Moving through diverse landscapes, from dense jungles to desert sands, in search of the next big discovery. Even if some titles could say hit some points of the “fantasy” genre and in one instance a more “medieval” vibe to it. The main purpose in all situations stay the same: Exploration.

  • :unlocked: “Ok, I’m in. But I Tell you…this is my last job.” :money_bag:
   -------------------------| Rogues and their Crew |---------------------------
   
   Could Include:
   #1- Thieves’ Gambit: The Curse of the Black Cat (2014) by D. Duffield   /CoG/
   #2- The Martian Job                             (2018) by M.D. Wehm     /CoG/
   #3- No Proper Thief                             (2015) by R.J.Dorn      /HG /
   #4- Breach: The Archangel Job                   (2019) Maxwell & Luigi  /HG /
   #5- Studies in Darkness                         (2022) by N. Johnson    /HG /
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
   Possible Additions: 
   
   -> A Golden Opportunity                         (2023) by D. S. Yu      /HG /
   -> These Thieving Hearts                        (2024) by Raven de Hart /♡C /

this set focuses entirely on the objective: assembling the perfect crew, planning the impossible, and pulling off the ultimate steal. Whether it’s set in a high-tech future, a magical realm, or a classic historical setting, the “Gentleman Thief” spirit remains the same.

This “Master Thief” collection:

  • The Lupin Archetype: Playing as a charismatic, clever protagonist who stays one step ahead of the law.

  • Crew Management: Selecting the right specialists—the muscle, the hacker, or the face—to ensure the mission’s success.

  • The Perfect Heist: Stories where the core gameplay revolves around infiltration, high-stakes theft, and the thrill of the getaway.

I think grouping these by “Objective” rather than “Setting” is a great way to help players find exactly the type of gameplay experience they are in the mood for.

To accompany this I’ll include the already existing, official old Bundle:

  • :ocean: Nautical Adventures :anchor:
    "Not all treasure is silver and gold, mate”  

    ------------------------------| Bundle |-----------------------------------
                                                                       Exclusive
                                                                        / CoG /
    Already Include: 

    Choice of Broadsides              (2010) by Strong-Morse, Albano & Fabulich              
    Choice of the Pirate              (2016) by Alana Joli Abbott   
    The Sea Eternal                   (2016) by Lynnea Glasser
    The Daring Mermaid Expedition     (2016) by Andrea Phillips    
    7th Sea: A Pirate's Pact          (2018) by Danielle Lauzon  
    Choice of Broadsides: HMS Foraker (2018) by Paul Wang   
    An Odyssey: Echoes of War         (2019) by Natalia Theodoridou      
    Atlantis Academy                  (2023) by Dorothea Sparrow

   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
  
   Possible new Additions: 

-> Pugmire: Treasure of the Sea Dogs  (2021) by Eddy Webb              / CoG /
-> Scarlet Sails                      (2016) by Felicity Banks         / HG  /
-> A Pirate's Pleasure                (2019) by Lisa Fox               / ♡C  /

This final package is dedicated to the vast, untamable sea. Beyond just “pirate stories,” this collection is designed to capture the true spirit of the voyage. Whether you are driven by duty, the hunt for buried treasure, or the simple yearning for the horizon, these stories embody the essence of the ocean.

“Nautical Adventures” explores:

  • The Sailor’s Journey: From the gritty life of a pirate to the epic, mythological struggle of Ulysses trying to find his way home.

  • Deep Sea Myths: Stepping into the scales of a mermaid protagonist or encountering the legends that dwell beneath the waves.

  • The Infinite Horizon: Experiences that focus on the atmosphere of being at sea—the creak of the wood, the salt in the air, and the sheer scale of the water.

  • Purpose & Adventure: Whether you’re a naval officer on a mission or a scoundrel seeking gold, the ocean itself is the main character here.

:glowing_star: Honorable Mention: The Ultimate Genre-Hopper :open_book:

If you can’t decide which of these thematic bundles to pick, there is one unique title that must be mentioned as it captures the spirit of all of them in a single big adventure:

                                                    **Lost in the Pages** (2017)

         An Hosted Game by 

Cecilia Rosewood: - The main story -
                  "The Danger of the Deep"
                  "Dragons and Devices"
Adrao:            "New Heaven Cop" 
                  "The Mansion of D'Anjou".
Felicity Banks:   "College Daze" 
                  "The Queen's Child".
Sashira:          "Sashira's story"

This collaborative masterpiece is a “supergroup” project that feels like a love letter to the old classic movie Pagemaster. As you search for your missing uncle inside his magical bookstore, you are pulled directly into the stories themselves.

“All the adventure your imagination can hold ”:

  • The Sea: You can play as a Mermaid navigating dangerous waters.

  • Sci-Fi: Explore Futuristic worlds as a high-tech pioneer.

  • Mystery: Step into a Noir setting as a detective solving a fractured case.

  • Fantasy: From riding dragons to unravelling royal conspiracies

It’s the perfect “honorable mention” because it proves that no matter the setting—be it a spaceship, a pirate brig, or a noir alleyway—the heart of these games is still the journey itself.

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