Network Advisory Board meeting 2025 q4
Summary
Michael Pucci opened the meeting with Curtis Haines, Clara Roberts, John Kornreich, and Robert Marietta in attendance, discussing recent publications like the standing orders plot kit and core player guide revisions, and prioritizing the sensitivity review of the disease expansion book. Michael Pucci introduced the strategic focus on flat-rate licensing and transitioning the Dystopia Rising network to an environmental-focused 501c3 non-profit to enable grant access, reduce taxes, increase transparency, and make license fees tax-deductible, with new licensing requiring games to attract at least 40 local players for sustainability. Gloria Budiman then presented a live demo of a new virtual mod tool with participants including Robert Marietta, Sara Castle, Melanie, Will Lulham, Catie Griffin, Gerard Marra, and Jared J. Jimenez (ADT), highlighting its ability to handle database updates and equipment use, which Michael Pucci stated will serve as the foundation for their own virtual tabletop system following the return of the Dystopia Rising Evolve IP.
Details
Q4 2025 Meeting Opening and Attendance Michael Pucci opened the Q4 2025 meeting, emphasizing a need for quick proceedings and requesting attendees primarily use the messenger for responses to ensure time for a live demo and Q&A. Michael Pucci quickly took attendance. Michael Pucci requested that any attendees who had not signed in do so in the meeting notes sometime during the session and asked participants to limit the number of AI assistants used for note-taking.
Recent Publications and Development Focus Michael Pucci detailed recent organizational efforts, including database support and population, and business support initiatives. They highlighted the release of the standing orders plot kit and a quick play starter guide, revisions to the core player guide, and the ongoing development of a disease expansion book, with sensitivity review being prioritized for the latter. Future publication focus includes a "choose your own apocalypse guide," short stories, and retooling projects for zombies and raiders.
Historical Content Publishing and Future Strategy Michael Pucci presented a timeline illustrating the organization's publication history, noting that in the past year and a half, they have published more content or support material for the LARP than at any other time in its history. Moving forward, Michael Pucci emphasized the need to be specific about where development labor is focused, leveraging their improved foundation and technology. Michael Pucci introduced the primary discussion topics: flat rates, non-profit status, and community communication.
Flat Rate Licensing and Non-Profit Transition Michael Pucci stated their goal is to fix Dystopia Rising (DR), not to profit from it, focusing heavily on improving the community aspect. The flat rate is tied to the current process of filing for an environmental-focused non-profit status for the network as a whole, aiming for a 501c3 tax-deductible status. This transition is intended to allow the network to organize environmental cleanups, assist with labor needs, and host charity events with transparency, thereby making a positive impact that aligns with the hobby's culture.
Benefits of Non-Profit Status and Transparency Michael Pucci outlined that achieving 501c3 status would make license fees tax-deductible and enable the organization to make measurable positive impact, apply for grants to widen support, and access locations restricted to non-profits. The non-profit structure is also expected to reduce taxes and promote broad community honesty and trust by making the organization's books completely open. Michael Pucci addressed the difficulty of collecting monthly payments on time, stating that the shift to flat payments reduces bookkeeping time and provides options for one, two, or four payments, with a slightly increased cost for multiple payments due to additional bookkeeping labor.
New Licensing and Game Minimums Michael Pucci clarified that the new flat rates are less than what DR has historically charged, while providing more support, and contracts are near completion. They confirmed three payment tiers based on the desired number of live games per year, including a set number of virtual games. Michael Pucci stressed that to maintain a license, games must aim to attract at least 40 local players, as smaller games are not sustainable for the weekend long model, and DR is not designed as an experience for smaller/parlor status.
Data on Local Player Counts Michael Pucci refuted the claim that only two chapters average 40 local players, asserting that most games either are close to or meet this number, and that a massive decline has been observed only in one or two locations, with less travel overall. Michael Pucci presented specific local player numbers for various branches from September 2022 to September 2025, noting that across the board, more chapters have lost players than gained over the past three years. Michael Pucci maintained the requirement for games to make "best efforts" to achieve 40 local players, with failure to show desire or steps to grow potentially leading to non-renewal of the license.
Mandatory Community Accountability and Safety Plans Michael Pucci addressed the critical need for open community communication and a formalized structure for handling feedback and safety issues at the branch level, stating that this is not something the network can legally manage for the licensees. Every branch is now mandated to codify an emergency plan, communication standards, and action plans for threats and concerns within one year. Michael Pucci emphasized the importance of these plans for both customer and community safety, and encouraged branch owners to collaborate and share resources.
Clarification on Safety and Anonymous Reporting Michael Pucci specified that the required emergency plan must cover both actual safety concerns (e.g., storms, active shooters) and interpersonal issues (e.g., assault). Curtis Haines, who has a degree in disaster management and risk planning, offered to help with plan development.
Flat Rate Implementation and Event Changes Michael Pucci confirmed that no invoices will be collected in December, giving branches a financial break before the flat-rate payments begin in January 2026. The organization will also shift from three big events a year to two, with the third event becoming a charity fundraiser, ideally operating under the 501c3 status. Michael Pucci explained that the change in the XP event structure is partly due to the organization having to pay taxes on every XP given out as if it were income, which could be avoided with 501c3 status.
New Virtual Experience Demo (Gloria) Gloria Budiman took over to present a live demo of a new virtual mod tool designed to improve upon existing platforms like Roll20 or Discord, seeking immediate feedback from participants. Robert Marietta endorsed the tool, having participated in a previous tech demo. Several attendees, including Sara Castle, Melanie, Will Lulham, and Curtis Haines, quickly volunteered to join the virtual module for a hands-on experience.
Virtual Mod Preparations and Scenario Gloria Budiman provided the link to the virtual mod for the signed-in players and guided them on equipping their characters using the tool's interface. They reassured players that there would be no equipment or infection loss during the stress test. The scenario involves taking over a dam, starting at the bottom of a steep incline that requires three actions to climb before a ladder can be deployed, and encountering two zombies (a Gorhound and a Shambler) at the base. Gloria Budiman initiated combat by having players roll for initiative using the new tool.
Combat Demonstration - Initial Attacks and Status Effects The meeting began with a combat demonstration where Gloria Budiman facilitated player actions, starting with an "apply damage" action after Catie Griffin confirmed. Sara Castle took two attacks from the Shambler, and Curtis Haines successfully performed a Takedown on the Gorhan, stunning them to limit their next turn to one action. Gerard Marra attempted an attack on the Gorehound, with Gloria Budiman noting that the system is set up to compute all three rolls automatically with one click, taking their action.
Combat Demonstration - Continuation of Attacks and Development Feedback Catie Griffin and Will Laymance continued the attacks against the creatures, with Gloria Budiman correcting errors where players rolled more than two actions, stating the current session was a "tech demo". Michael Pucci noted connection issues for Jared J. Jimenez (ADT) and advised Gloria Budiman to take actions for them.
Player Actions and Combat Mechanics Discussion Sara Castle inquired about using First Aid but decided to attack the Shambler, leading to a good roll that effectively put the Shambler "down". During Gorhan's turn, which was targeting Catie Griffin, the group discussed combat mechanics: Catie Griffin learned that an Avoid option appears if an attack connects, and Curtis Haines demonstrated the ability to Interfere, taking the damage for Catie Griffin. Curtis Haines, though having the option for a killing blow on the Shambler, stated their preference for focusing on the Gorehound.
Accidental Player Action and Blinding Effect A brief moment of confusion occurred when Gerard Marra accidentally applied a "blinding" effect to Curtis Haines, who humorously questioned why a teammate would target them.
Project Strategy and Dystopia Rising Evolve IP Michael Pucci intervened to emphasize the significance of the demonstrated engine. They explained that the engine is intended to be the foundation for their own version of a virtual tabletop system, allowing them to run virtual and single tabletop sessions without needing full live events, and it handles database updates. Michael Pucci praised Gloria Budiman for developing the system in "months of development, not years".
Final Combat Actions and Demonstration of Scattershot The group decided to continue the combat briefly to finish off the monster. Gloria Budiman then demonstrated the "scattershot" feature using a "sniper" to apply damage and a blinding effect to all players, though the blinding effect did not work as intended.
Technology Benefits and Future Opportunities Michael Pucci reiterated their enthusiasm for the tool, specifically noting the benefit to coordinators by handling damage and equipment use directly in the database, eliminating the need for later changes. Sara Castle praised the system, noting that the integrated rewards would allow their logistics director to "actually play".
Closing Remarks and Future Communication Michael Pucci concluded the meeting, thanking everyone and acknowledging the length of the session. They indicated that questions regarding the books would be answered in the owner's chat, and discussions about issues or action items going forward will ideally take place in the owner's chat for open and transparent communication. Michael Pucci asked owners to communicate about developing community tools after the current weekend.
