Zine Quest’s top projects includes a little something for goth horse girls

The seventh annual Zine Quest, Kickstarter’s annual festival of short-form tabletop games, is nearing the end of its launch window with any remaining campaigns set to go live before the end of February. And while funding for these projects will continue throughout March — and beyond, thanks to the platform’s newly introduced late-pledge service — we already have an idea of what the most popular campaigns are. 

Here’s a quick run-down of the top-five most-funded Zine Quest projects for 2025, using data provided by Kickstarter.

A Perfect Rock

A Perfect Rock, from Deep Dark Games, carries the rustic vibes of banjo-infused spacefaring games like The Outer Wilds forward into an entirely new format. As the sole survivor aboard your homeworld’s last starship, you must venture out into a dangerous universe in search of a new home. With rules for one to four players, it doesn’t even require a game master. The campaign runs now through March 6, and as of publication has raised more than $46,000 — which is a fair bit more than the average across all Kickstarter tabletop projects last year.

Strange Tales of the Painted Wastelands

Inspired by art from Tim Molloy with design help from Christopher Willet, Strange Tales of the Painted Wastelands is described as “a bizarre adventure” by John Leibee. “Explore the dimensional tourist trap of Tzuris Point, visit the Orbit and Go, and stay the night at the Marooner’s Campground, all of which are filled with new and strange NPCs to interact with.” The game is currently available on DriveThruRPG, with a line that includes (among other items) both a free preview version of the rules and a 152-page core book. It’s earned more than $34,000 and runs through March 1.

Forever Hold Your Peace: A Hidden Isle Zine

Surprisingly robust for a zine at 72 pages, Forever Hold Your Peace: A Hidden Isle Zine is a collection of five new adventures for The Hidden Isle. Set in the 16th century on the secretive island of Diascoria, it’s a collaborative storytelling game that uses Tarot cards instead of dice. A digital version is also available. The project ended on Feb. 27 and earned more than $31,000.

Last Sabbath – The Witches’ RPG + Tarot

Coming in fourth is a new version of the Last Sabbath – The Witches’ RPG and an accompanying Tarot deck. The cooperative journaling game (which does not require a game master to play) asks players to create a shared diary over the course of seven scenes before a final confrontation. Also part of the campaign was a limited-edition scenario, which helped it earn $21,372 before closing on Feb. 21.

28 Psalms and Horse War Double Feature

In the past, Zine Quest has primarily seen participation from creators and publishers of tabletop role-play, but this year that changes. The fifth-most funded campaign at time of publication is currently a double-feature of miniatures games. Top billing goes to 28 Psalms, a somehow grimmer and darker twist on the already grimdark miniature game Forbidden Psalm (which is inspired by, and compatible with, Mörk Borg).

Pulling up the rear is Horse War. To quote the trailer: “The world of man has ended the time of horse has begun,” leading to endless struggle as “the seven horse kingdoms fight over the last remaining sugar cubes.” Sounds like just the thing for the goth horse girl in your life. The cursed duo has raised more than $20,000 to bring their various madnesses to life.