Ascension: Lord of the Rings kicks off a crowdfunding campaign in July
Justin Gary, creator of the deckbuilding game Ascension, is expanding the franchise with a licensed Lord of the Rings adaptation. Following Magic: The Gathering’s successful “Universes Beyond” model, Gary’s studio Stoneblade Entertainment will launch Ascension: Tales of Middle-earth through a Gamefound crowdfunding campaign beginning in July.
Since its 2011 release, Ascension has established itself as a notable fantasy card game with 17 sets released in its original world of Vigil. The Lord of the Rings crossover represents the franchise’s first major licensed intellectual property adaptation. Gary, a former professional Magic: The Gathering player, emphasized that The Lord of the Rings is a natural fit for the game engine, highlighting the IP’s foundational influence on modern fantasy worldbuilding.
The crowdfunding campaign on Gamefound will fund production while allowing Stoneblade Entertainment to engage the community throughout the development process. This approach mirrors Magic’s strategy of expanding into major licensed properties, broadening Ascension’s appeal beyond its original fantasy universe.