Sixsmith Games blog and product updates

The blog covers releases, product updates, studio announcements, and other time-sensitive notes. Evergreen product guides live on the Articles page.

Release notes, product updates, and studio announcements. For product guides and evergreen explainers, visit the Articles page.

Latest posts

Commanding Respect: Four Star General Unlocks All

Commanding Respect: Four Star General Unlocks All This Memorial Day is 25 May 2026. Four Star General is unlocking all its features, offering players...

GM Prep: Level Up Your Campaign Flow

GM Prep: Level Up Your Campaign Flow Tired of campaign prep feeling like a full-time job? This post dives into how GameMasterCraft streamlines organizing NPCs,...

Beyond the Bloat: Refocusing on Combat Clarity

Beyond the Bloat: Refocusing on Combat Clarity The Virtual Table Top VTT space is buzzing with updates, but GMs and players are looking for focused tools....

Hexes & Heroes: The Panzer General Legacy Lives On

Hexes & Heroes: The Panzer General Legacy Lives On Dive into the enduring appeal of hex-grid WWII strategy games, from the community-driven Panzer Marshal to...

Level Up Your GM Game: Tools for Master Minds

Level Up Your GM Game: Tools for Master Minds Ever wonder what happens behind the GM screen? It's a challenging mix of worldbuilding, improv, and keeping...

Unlocking Your Lore: The Evolving Landscape of Writer Tools

Unlocking Your Lore: The Evolving Landscape of Writer Tools New platforms are emerging that prioritize ease of use, integrated features, and even AI...

Grimdark's Grip: Sharpening Dark TTRPGs

The air thickens, a suffocating blanket of dread. Your players are trapped in a tomb, the last torch sputtering, and every shadow whispers of a painful end. In grimdark TTRPGs like Shadowdark or Deathbringer, one wrong move, one forgotten rule, and a hero becomes another forgotten corpse. This is the brutal beauty we chase. But what shatters this fragile immersion? Not the fangs of a beast, but the flicking of pages, the frantic search for a modifier, or the agonizing guess about range. That’s when the 'grim' stops being about existential horror and starts being about tedious administrative burden.

Unleash Your Inner General: Why Strategy Games Are So Much Fun, and Why Four Star General Is a Must-Play

Discover the joy of outthinking your opponents in strategy games! From recent hits to hidden gems, we dive into why plotting your next move is endlessly fun, and shine a spotlight on Four Star General, a WWII tactical turn-based game that promises pure, strategic satisfaction.

Beyond the Dice: Must-Have Tools for the Modern Dungeon Master

Every great Dungeon Master knows the magic and the madness of game night. The lights are low, snacks are arrayed, and the clatter of dice is a promise of adventure. For many, nothing beats the classic tabletop RPG game night. Whether you're delving into forgotten ruins in a D&D 5e campaign or exploring the new frontiers of Daggerheart, the magic of the tabletop is undeniable. But behind every legendary quest and unforgettable character stands one unsung hero: the Dungeon Master. Their role is a unique blend of storyteller, referee, world-builder, and even a little bit of IT support – and let's be honest, it's a monumental task. From creating compelling NPCs to tracking intricate lore and managing chaotic combat, the sheer volume of "DM work" can feel like a quest in itself. What if you could lighten that load, letting your creative genius shine without getting bogged down by the administrative beast?

Your DM's New Best Friend: Virtual Combat Simulator

Every Dungeon Master knows the struggle of tracking epic battles. Sixsmith Games' Virtual Combat Simulator is a browser-based tool designed to streamline TTRPG combat, freeing DMs to focus on storytelling and immersive play. It's perfect for systems like D&D and Daggerheart, enhancing the tabletop experience by handling the administrative grind, much like the thriving turn-based strategy games that value tactical depth.

Tactics & Chill: TBS is Back, Baby!

The turn-based strategy genre is experiencing a vibrant resurgence, blending classic mechanics with fresh innovation. Recent launches like Xenonauts 2 and Fight Life: Vanguard, alongside anticipated titles like Heroes of Might and Magic: Olden Era, are captivating tacticians with their strategic depth and community-driven gameplay.

AI Art in Games: Glitch or Feature?

The gaming community is locked in a heated debate over the role of AI-generated graphics in video games. While AI for efficiency is largely accepted, its use in creative content like art and music is met with strong opposition, raising questions about artistic integrity and the future of human creators.

Leveling Up Your Lair: New DM Gear Drops

Dungeon Masters, get ready! Wizards of the Coast and D&D Beyond are rolling out significant updates, including a major virtual tabletop glow-up and new physical accessory bundles, all aimed at making your D&D prep and play easier and more integrated than ever before.