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A Role-Playing Game of Blood & Sweat, Pain & Hope
Contenders is a role-playing game dealing with the shady and painful world of boxing.
No need for a GM or preparation means you can jump straight into the dark world of Desert City.
Each player takes on the role of a contender, a pugilist desperate to fight his way out of the gutter.
Can your fighter build the hope and confidence necessary to become a true champion?
Or is he destined to be dragged down into a sea of pain and despair?
1,
2,
3,
4…
My vision returns at the count of five, I taste blood, my blood. The roar of the crowd is deafening, they want more. They always want more.
More blood, more pain.
I’m kneeling as the ref gets to seven, I can see in his eyes that he doesn't expect me to get up.
Why would I?
Face more pain.
Now I see her, in the front row, tears black with mascara streaming down her face,I’m drawn to the eyes, deep pools, reflecting the pain.
My pain.
The moment seems to last an eternity. I needed that, that reminder of hope. This is for you babe!
Bring the pain.
I’m on my feet again at nine. The ref hesitates for a split second.
“Ok, box!”
Now feel the pain…
On The Game:
"...We did like the fighting, quite a bit...As it stands, it's excellent, a real boxing combat system."
- Ron Edwards
"Contenders offers a pleasing storytelling vehicle that neatly handles its twin themes of hope and pain...it is an easy game to pick up and play, does not require a GM, and its stories can be told in a session or two."
- Matthew Pook (full review here)
"I hate boxing but I love Contenders."
- Jason Morningstar, from Bully Pulpit Games
"Contenders is AWESOME...I'm in love with this game."
- John Harper, author of Agon
"It's an excellently balanced and interesting system. I had an absolute blast playing at GenCon."
- Remi Treuer, of the Durham 3 podcast
"There's a tremendous amount of potential here. The game has a purity of focus which is wonderful…I think you've got a winner here."
- Roger, veteran gamer on The Forge
"There aren't a lot of rules, and what few are here either serve to advance the main conflict, or help to create the story structure. The designer did a good job trimming the fat, giving us a sleek and simple game engine that does what it's intended to do."
- Andrew Branstad, RPGnow, full review
"This game helps make art happen."
- Joe Murphy, game designer, The Forge
PDF £3.99 Book £8.00
Alternatively visit IPR or Leisure Games.
PDF versions are available from DriveThruRPG and RPGnow. RPGnow also has a bundle version comprising of the screen pdf and print pdf.
Ronny Award Winner!
Contenders was a winning entry in the October 2005 Ronnies, alongside Gregor Hutton's 3:16.
The Ronnies are a series of 24hr rpg competitions run by Ron Edwards, Sorcerer supreme of role-playing theory and co-founder of the Forge.
Contenders has been expanded into a full game. Including play examples, new rules and lots of great art.
The original 24hr version is still available as a free demo.