It's either a great idea or a terrible one that there will be a Smurfs roleplaying tabletop game.

Tabletop Roleplaying Games, like before, have regained prominence in geek culture due to the meteoric rise Dungeons & Dragons. This has led to a slew of roleplaying games, from the questionable to the comedic to entire elaborate game lines. One tabletop developer will now kickstart a roleplaying based on The Smurfs' tiny blue Belgian Gnome universe.

What is a tabletop RPG? The Player gets to play the role of the Smurf and immerse themselves in a story. As a Smurf, you will solve mysteries, go on adventures and help those who are in need. Your Smurf could be a famous Smurf, or a Smurf that you created. The official description states that a Storyteller will also describe the world to you and its challenges.

Do kids still care about The Smurfs? Do kids care about The Smurfs anymore? This is for them. I hope they do because someone's parents will buy this game to play with their children, which could go either very well or very badly. I'm a little sceptical, but Wikipedia says The Smurfs are probably the most successful media franchises ever. It's also true that tabletop RPGs are a little more popular than you might think: I'm prepared to be proven wrong.

In the past, unexpected tabletop RPG adaptions have produced some really interesting game designs. The Looney Toons and Rocky and Bullwinkle Tabletop RPGs have both been a source of inspiration for TTRPG designers because they featured innovative mechanics which would not be seen in other games for many decades.

You can download a PDF of the quickstart guide and a preview version. There is also a Facebook group where you can share your feedback.

The Smurfs: Roleplaying Game is available on Kickstarter. It will launch on October 22, with a Smurfs Board Game as a promotional offer for those who back in the first 24 hour. Creators Maestro Media can be found on their website where they describe their core value as Avant-Garde. Harmonious. Eclectic. Masterful.

A preview event was held at Gen Con, a giant tabletop convention. Some Smurf fans who also play live roleplaying took a crack at the game. You can watch it on YouTube or below.