Uncover the Horror: A Deep Dive into the Public Access RPG

The late 20th century’s UHF television era provides the eerie backdrop for Public Access, a tabletop RPG exploring conspiratorial horror. Delve into forgotten movies, bizarre local programming, and the unsettling secrets hidden within the static.

Public Access sets its premise in a double flashback. The player characters, the Latchkeys, are adults in the 2000s, haunted by childhood memories of Deep Lake, New Mexico in the 80s and 90s. Their shared obsession: uncovering the truth behind TV Odyssey, a vanished low-power television station leaving behind only unsettling rumors and scattered videotapes.

Public Access RPG Rulebook Cover

Gameplay involves investigating strange occurrences in Deep Lake, acquiring bizarre videotapes, and deciphering their reality-bending contents until the mystery of TV Odyssey is solved, or the players succumb to unsettling forces. Fans of Brindlewood Bay will recognize the player-driven mystery and the Powered by the Apocalypse framework.

However, Public Access distinguishes itself with a darker tone. Inspired by Videodrome, IT, and Twin Peaks, the game explores modern horror tropes like isolated summer camps and dangerous role-playing games. Distorted imagery and cryptic screen grabs enhance the unsettling atmosphere. Mysteries are designed for collaborative solving, with the Game Master providing clues and players weaving them together.

Unlike games with a single overarching mystery, Public Access features smaller, interconnected mysteries. Players might decipher the secrets of an unmarked arcade cabinet before progressing. The central mystery of TV Odyssey is dynamic. When Latchkeys watch a videotape, the GM describes its content and poses questions, prompting players to interpret images and influence the narrative.

The game provides tools for the GM to manage the narrative, embracing ambiguity and avoiding premature explanations. This allows the story to evolve organically, adapting to player choices. Collaborative storytelling makes Public Access a unique experience.

Public Access offers a fresh horror perspective, perfect for players seeking spooky stories rooted in a bygone television era. It encourages collaborative storytelling and rewards creative problem-solving, making it compelling for those exploring the darker side of public access television.