Welcome to Punk is Dead – a tabletop roleplaying game (TTRPG) set in the chaotic wasteland of the Un-united Kingdom. Inspired by the dark, anarchic world of MÖRK BORG, this game is perfect for those who crave rebellion, creativity, and—most importantly—music in a world on the brink of collapse.

In Punk is Dead, the post-apocalyptic chaos is cranked up to eleven. Nuclear war, pandemics, monsters, and a complete societal breakdown make survival a constant struggle. Yet, amidst the devastation, there’s still a flicker of hope: music. In this world, the last shred of humanity’s defiance comes through song. Players can choose from seven musical roles, embodying characters like rebellious punks, hip-hop heroes, and other outcasts, all determined to rock their way through the apocalypse. Best of all, you don’t need prior experience with MÖRK BORG to dive in—Punk is Dead is a fully self-contained experience.

Creator Tim Roberts will be running an exclusive Punk is Dead session on Sunday at Beachhead. It’s your chance to grab your instruments and bring hope to a dying world alongside the person who created it.

We caught up with Tim to discuss the inspiration behind Punk is Dead and what players can expect when they step into the Un-united Kingdom.

Q: Why MÖRK BORG, and why punk?

A: They were initially two separate game ideas. I had the idea for a punk songwriting game a couple of years ago, mainly because I love injecting creative endeavours for players into my games. I chose punk because there is something in the spirit of that movement that is raw and fits the theme of kicking back against the bad guys. Plus, the whole point of being in a punk band is that you don’t have to be a great musician or songwriter — anyone can give it a go. 

I’d also wanted to create a MÖRK BORG expansion for some time. The system is easy to learn and has a real urgency to it. There’s also the sense that all hope is lost and yet the players keep on trying to survive. Eventually, I had the idea of creating my Punk game as a MÖRK BORG-compatible RPG - over time, it evolved into a standalone game that has its own lore, exists in another version of our world — the Ununited Kingdom — and offers a glimmer of hope through music. It feels like a really apt game for the times we live in.

Q: What is a "Songwriting TTRPG"? Can you share an example scenario or encounter?

A: Each session plays out as a gig. That means you can play it either in one-shot mode or string gigs together as a longer form “tour of the UuK” campaign. A gig generally consists of travelling to the venue, finding out something that is going down in the area and helping solve an issue or kick some bad guy ass, followed by playing a gig. During their adventures, all players are encourage to contribute to a song — that can be about anything they like but will usually be inspired by their current situation. Writing songs and performing are a means for the players to accrue creativity points for themselves and the band as a whole. These points can be used to add to rolls to turn failures into creative successes.

Thanks for chatting, Tim!

Be sure to swing by the Critical Kit stand in the Main Hall this weekend to check out their awesome RPGs, dice, and accessories. Don’t miss the chance to book a spot in Tim Roberts’ exclusive Punk is Dead session—get ready to rock the apocalypse!