Mothership vs Red Markets
Compare Mothership and Red Markets side by side. See differences in complexity, dice, genre, cost, and more.
| Mothership | Red Markets | |
|---|---|---|
| Genre | Scifi, Horror | Horror, Post-Apocalyptic |
| Play Style | Rules-Light, Deadly, One-Shot Friendly, Survival, Atmospheric, Low-Prep, Cinematic, Fast-Paced | Horror, Gritty, Resource Management, Roleplay-Heavy, Character-Driven |
| Core Mechanic | Roll d100 under stat/skill. Stress and panic mechanics escalate tension. | Roll 2d10 — one black (skill), one red (threat). Black higher than red means success; doubles are critical results. Characters track economic resources via Bounty (currency), gear with limited charges and upkeep costs, and a negotiation system using a Sway Tracker. Humanity erodes through Trauma, Stress, and Detachment tracks. |
| Dice | d100 | 2d10 |
| Complexity | Low | Medium |
| Accessibility | High | Low |
| Community | Medium | Low |
| License | 3rd Party License | Proprietary |
| Cost | $ | $$ |
| Publisher | Tuesday Knight Games | Hebanon Games |
| Year | 2022 | 2017 |
| Best For | Terrifying sci-fi horror one-shots and short campaigns. Panic table creates unforgettable moments. | Groups who want a zombie RPG that's really about economic survival — negotiating contracts, managing resources, and deciding what you're willing to sacrifice to keep your dependents alive. |
| Highlights | Rules-light, well-regarded module library, panic system creates mechanical tension | Economic focus makes every job feel high-stakes, negotiation mechanics add tension before combat even starts, humanity/trauma system creates character arcs, zombie threat serves a story about capitalism and survival |
| Considerations | Panic table can cascade and end sessions abruptly, limited long-campaign support in core rules, stress mechanics can feel repetitive over extended play | Heavy bookkeeping with multiple resource tracks, relentlessly bleak tone, steep learning curve for the Profit system, limited availability of the full rulebook |