Shadow Convoy

You owe the Cartel.
Not metaphorically. Not eventually. Right now.

In Shadow Convoy, players take on the role of a small fleet of smugglers trapped under a crushing debt to a powerful criminal syndicate. The only way out is to keep flying. Run dangerous convoy routes through hostile space, move illegal or questionable cargo, and earn enough credits to finally clear what you owe before the pressure (or the Cartel) breaks the fleet apart.

What is this?

This is a playable demo for a full game planned for Kickstarter.

It includes:

• 4 of the 6 total runs
• Core ship modules and upgrades
• Encounter cards (Shipside, Contact, Anomaly)
• Rules for co-op and solo play
• Hand drawn illustrations and artwork

This is my love-letter to 90's sci-fi, to the episodic adventures of all flavors of Trek, Babylon, FarScape and everything in between. 

AI was not used in the creative portions of this game (design, artwork, etc). AI was used to help with organization and the Rulebook.

What's do you do?

• Build and expand your ship with modular systems
• Hire crew and assign them to critical roles
• Resolve encounters across a dangerous convoy route
• Decide when to push forward, or cut your losses
• Earn Credits and pay down your debt before it catches up

Why is it interesting?

• Shared fleet pressure: Morale, Credits, and risk affect everyone
• Push-your-luck runs: Every encounter could help… or end you
• Persistent damage: Systems fail, ships break, plans collapse
• Debt is the win condition:  Survive long enough to pay it off

How do I play?

• Download the files below
• Print at 100% scale (no scaling) - back card graphics are included but not required
• Cut out cards
• Grab:
  • ~10–12 d6
  • Tokens/coins for Credits and Crew

Full details are in the rule book 

Prefer digital? Play via Tabletop Simulator on Steam: https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3666886550

Want to follow development?

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Feedback Wanted

This demo is actively being tested. I’m looking for:

• Rule clarity issues
• Confusing moments
• Balance and difficulty
• Overall feel and pacing

Why the Kickstarter?

If you like the demo, the full game will have:

• 2 additional runs
• Expanded encounter decks
• More ship modules and upgrades
• Additional planets and events
• Full visual polish and color