We’re raising Rascal’s subscription prices by $1 in 2026
But you can lock in the old price right now with a holiday discount!
Howdy, anklebiters. We’re nearly ready to put 2025 to bed, and it’s been a weird one. Rascal celebrated its first birthday in February and set its sights on something bigger than monthly survival. For the rest of the world? Well, it’s not been pretty out there. People have less money to spend on luxuries, such as recurring subscriptions to websites, and we’re all waiting for the broader effects of US economic “policy” to come home to roost. Both create an uncomfortable atmosphere in which to ask anyone for more money.
After candid discussions with the team, we’ve decided to increase the price of the Friendly NPC subscription tier by USD$1. It’ll go from $5 to $6 per month, that’s it. The other tiers' prices will stay exactly the same. This new rate will kick in once Rascal returns from its holiday break on January 5th, and it will only affect new subscriptions. Anyone already supporting us (a hearty yeehaw and thank you) will not see a change to what you pay, even if your subscription accidentally lapses or runs into payment issues.
If you’re not yet a subscriber, read ahead for details on a holiday discount that will lock in the old price.
Heard enough and want to subscribe? We get it: independent journalism on the cheap is exciting!
Why do this?
Well, inflation and cost of living comes for us all. That’s half flippant and half truth. To be frank, Rascal launched with lower-than-average prices because the original team weren’t sure what the hobby would or could support. We were building the plane as it left the runway, as Chase likes to say, and maximizing the number of initial supporters meant more to us than maximizing initial profits.
Asking people to pay more always feels bad, and it’s a lever you should seldom pull. But it’s one of the few levers we have to pull. Running an ad-free, reader-supported website means we can’t rely on alternative revenue when the economy dessicates everyone’s fun money. Rascal continues to be a successful business venture in terms of consistently paying our team. But we haven’t been able to secure the raises we wanted in 2025, nor bolster our freelancer budget. Worst of all, we’re losing subscriptions as people try to cut costs. October and November saw us face negative growth for the first time since we launched in early 2024. Things aren’t bad, but they’re tight — as they are no doubt tight for many of you reading this. We have plenty of runway, but (to squeeze this metaphor dry) we need to gain altitude.
It’s the beginning of the holiday season and (if you’re reading this on December 2) Giving Tuesday. We’re not above taking hat in hand and voicing an earnest appeal to support our continued existence. The tabletop industry deserves reporters and critics who treat its workers and output seriously; you, the reader, deserve an outlet where that reporting lives. Subscribing at any level is a massive boon towards sustaining that project, and we thank you with every ounce of sincerity our cynical journalist hearts can muster.
Already a subscriber and want to help us?
If you can, consider upgrading to the higher tier. We’re going to be launching a new podcast called the Rascal Reading Club, where Thomas will be doing whatever he usually does when reading and reviewing RPGs, except this time in audio form. We’re kicking off the podcast with him reading the GM advice sections from various RPGs. What’s the Mothership Warden Manual say compared to Vampire the Masquerade, or Monsterhearts? Subscribers at the Party Member tier will get to pick which books he should take a look at — expect an email about that soon.
You could also gift a subscription, or even throw some spare change in the tip jar! But if you cannot give, please don’t feel as though you’re letting us down. Share or repost when you see our work on social media, or tell a friend to check out the website. You have so many worthy causes that need financial support because the powers that be deny them such. We aren’t asking you to complete any moral calculus. If the will is there, and the spirit moves you, we genuinely appreciate your assistance.
And here’s the Holiday Discount 2025
If you want to lock in a Rascal subscription at the old price point, you have until January 5 to sign up. Use the “Yippee-Ki-Yay, Anklebiters!” offer, and the first two months of your subscription will only cost $1 per month. That’s 80% off and a clinch on the original cost before we bump up our regular rates in the new year.
Subscribe below before January 5 to get 80% the first 2 months
From all of us at Rascal: Thank you, enjoy the holidays, and stay trashy!
