Sword World is Japan’s most successful, longest-standing tabletop RPG. Soon, its latest edition will be getting an English translation.
Mugen Gaming, a publishing company specializing in Japanese game localization, announced this week that it will be working on the first official English translation of the popular RPG Sword World. If you’re unfamiliar, Sword World is a popular Japanese fantasy TTRPG that, like D&D, is the longest-running game in town. Created by Group SNE, who pioneered RPG replays like Record of Lodoss War (and indeed, in 1st Edition Sword World, Lodoss Island was part of the official setting), Sword World has been in continuous publication since 1989.
Sword World 2.5E To Get Official English Translation
According to the announcement from Mugen Gaming, the Sword World RPG will start with a crowdfunding campaign in 2026 to launch the Sword World Delux Rulebook, which will encompass all three of the current corebooks into a single meaty tome. But, it’s not just the core rules that Mugen has in store. It has plans for long-term support, including new adventures, expansions, and more.
But what makes this news exciting to me is to see what kind of impact the game has here. Because it’s hard to give a proper sense of the scope of Sword World in Japan. The RPG has made its own niche in a big way – there are Sword World video games and light novels, and that’s just the direct influence. Sword world has inspired much much more, including various anime, video games (including Fire Emblem), and more. If you’ve ever played a game where someone has a magic crest, that’s Sword World’s influence.
So to see it come here is pretty exciting. Especially since the system is coming at a time when players are looking for more flexible customization.
Sword World RPG, which may not be familiar to many of you, has been widely played in Japan as a representative fantasy roleplaying game, much like D&D holds a prominent position in the United States. We are truly delighted to be able to bring this English version to your hands.
The game takes place in a rich, dynamic setting – a world literally created by ancient sentient swords known as the Swords of Genesis. The setting is filled with magic, guilds, ancient ruinsm and dungeons shaped by mystical energies and magical technology. It’s inspired novels, anime, video games, and more across Japanese Media.”
This team-up between Mugen Gaming and Group SNE is hopefully just the first step in a new flowering for Sword World. But if you are curious and want to try out the system right now, you can. When you sign up for Sword World’s email list (at the link below), you’ll be sent a free one-shot PDF. With more than 60 pages, the PDF has basic rules, pre-gen characters, and a starter adventure to help get your feet wet in Sword World.
Otherwise, it’s keep an eye out next year for more info!
Sword World’s crowdfunding campaign launches 2026!
Bell of Lost Souls Staff Writer and DM, J.R. covers RPGs of all stripes and on occasion eats sandwiches. You can ask him about either at [email protected]
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