gatewayrpg
GATEWAY RPG: The FREE Universal Tabletop Roleplaying Game
GATEWAY RPG is a free, rules-lite d20 framework engineered for speed, simplicity, and total creative freedom. Built upon the familiar chassis of 5th Edition mechanics, it serves as the ultimate bridge to the world of tabletop gaming.
Whether you are introducing friends to their first session or running a high-octane one-shot for seasoned veterans, GATEWAY gets you playing in minutes, not hours. From neon-soaked Cyberpunk streets to grit-filled Noir alleys, if you can imagine it, GATEWAY can run it.
Choose Your Version
- Classic Edition Rulebook (2017): The original 2017 release with the original human made artwork/stock art image. 100% hand written/translated/proofread and playtested by humans
- Enhanced Edition Rulebook: This edition leverages some AI-assisted artwork to bring diverse, imaginative worlds to life with high-level visual cohesion. 100% hand written/translated/proofread and playtested by humans
- Android/Chomebook Player Companion App: The official digital companion for GATEWAY RPG provides full offline access to the complete rulebook, interactive character sheets, and solo play oracles. Built for both players and Game Masters, it streamlines tabletop sessions with an integrated dice roller, custom lighting themes, and zero ad distractions.
A Note from the Designer:
GATEWAY RPG grew out of a personal passion for tabletop gaming. Back in 2015, I discovered S. John Ross’s classic 1993 game, Risus: The Anything RPG. It was free, modular, ultra-flexible, and simple to pick up, but as I played more TTRPGs, I missed the iconic d20 and the drama of critical hits and misses.
I created GATEWAY RPG to capture that same beginner-friendly spirit while bringing back the thrill of the twenty-sided die. It’s a completely free, easy-to-learn system built to introduce new players to games like D&D 5e, but flexible enough for any setting. Whether you are running quick one-shots, playing standalone adventures, diving into solo sessions, or modularly introducing advanced rules as your group learns, GATEWAY adapts seamlessly to your table.
