You are probably asking what is Microlite75 2.0? The first version of Microlite75 was published during the same period as Microlite74 2.0 and was Microlite74 plus my house rules from the 0e era (late 1970s). The “75” in the name came from 1975 — the year I first played D&D. When it came time to do a third edition of Microlite74, my 0e era house rules were incorporated in the Expanded version of Microlite74 3.0 and Microlite75 became a all-but-forgotten artifact of the Microlite74 2.0 era.

Next you are probably wondering why I am bringing Microlite75 back? Last summer, I received an email telling me that it was time for a new fourth edition of Microlite74 because it would be five years old in 2016. I said I did not see a need for a fourth edition of Microlite74 in a blog post last August. However, I asked what others thought and received a number of replies (mailing in email or in PMs on the message board) saying that if I did a new edition, would I please use the more standard advancement and XP system I used in some of the Microlite74 variants and in Microlite81. After thinking about it, I concluded that while there probably were many people who would prefer advancement and experience handled more like in the original game, there were probably just as many or more who liked the simple Microlite20-based system used in the Microlite74 3.0. As I have no desire to alienate current players with such a major system change, I announced in an early October blog post that I would publish such a modified system, but under the Microlite75 name, keeping Microlite74 as it for those who prefer the current system.

I said I would talk more about Microlite75 2.0 after I finished Microlite81 Advanced. That finally happened last week — see Microlite81 Advanced is Now Available for Free Download (Free Old School RPG) for download information — so it’s time to talk about my ideas for Microlite75.

The first releases will be Microlite75 Basic, Microlite75 Standard, and Microlite75 Expanded. These games will be the same as their Microlite74 namesakes but will have the more standard class descriptions and advancement system used in 0e and in Microlite81. Assuming the world (especially my wife’s medical issues) does not throw me for a loop, these three products should be out in the somewhat near future. In fact, I hope to have draft versions of all three in the hands of RetroRoleplaying Cancer Fund donors by the end of December. Once these are finished, I’ll move on to some “completely new” ideas like the following:

Microlite75 2.0 Basic Extended: The three classes of Microlite75 Basic with the rules from Microlite75 Expanded. The backgrounds from the expanded rules can easily be used to expand the standard three classes of fighting man, cleric, and magic-user to cover any number of things that have been classes in many editions of the world’s first fantasy RPG.

Microlite75 Swords & Sorcery: The swords and sorcery variant of Microlite74 is very popular. One of the most common complaints about the game is the “E6” basis of the system where there are only six levels. Microlite75 Swords & Sorcery will try a different method of creating a S&S feel that is not quite so limited level-wise.

Microlite75 Swords & Mythos: As many readers probably know, I’m a fan of Lovecraft’s Cthulhu mythos fiction. Some authors have tried combining Swords & Sorcery with the Cthulhu Mythos. I’ve always found these stories to be a lot of fun, so I’m going to create a game around the idea by taking swords & sorcery into a setting where most of the sorcery and many of the monsters are mythos-based. I’m looking forward to this one. Even through one of my current players actually suggested the idea, I don’t think my players are looking forward to this nearly as much as I am.

Microlite75 Alternate Classes: Microlite75 with versions of the alternate classes I first suggested for Gryphons & Gramarye. I still like these classes even though they do not seem to work as well as I hoped in Gryphons & Gramarye. This version of Microlite75 with given them a home.

Microlite75 Forgotten Magic: A version of Microlite75 set in a world where powerful magic was created and used by a long extinct non-human empire. Current races, however, cannot seem to truly master magic and are left using what little they can find and actually use from the dangerous ruins of this ancient civilization.

I have other ideas (like Microlite75 in Space), but these are the ones I currently see myself working on first. Note that the titles are subject to change. Many readers are probably thanking deity for that right now. Title idea are welcome — especially something better than “Basic Expanded”.

If you have any ideas for Microlite75 2.0 in general, for a specific Microlite75 2.0 game. or even an idea for a different Microlite75-based game, please let me know.