Eldritch Automata - High-Octane Cosmic Horror RPG

What is Eldritch Automata?

Welcome to High Octane Cosmic Horror

Welcome to the dark and dangerous world of Eldritch Automata. Designed in the Year Zero Engine and inspired by the likes of Neon Genesis Evangelion, Pacific Rim, and Escaflowne, E//A takes place in a recent-apocalyptic world filled with horror, drama, and psychological torment. In Eldritch Automata, you play one of humanity’s last defenders, facing down eldritch abominations that want to eat you, controlled by visually perfect angelic beings that want to control you, while piloting a massive monstrosity of a mech, the titular Automata, that’s slowly killing you.

Eldritch Automata uses the Year Zero Engine with original mechanics by Gehenna Gaming - Welcome to high octane cosmic horror

Piloting an Automata is a constant source of stress and danger. As you use these machines to fight against the Horrors and Seraphs, you will need to keep your Stress and Stability under control. Interpersonal relationships and drama are also key elements of Eldritch Automata. You must navigate complex alliances and rivalries with other survivors as your relationships cause ripples through the world around you.

Explore the basic rules of Eldritch Automata - Cosmic Horror Mecha TTRPG - book layout image

Designed to blend narrative gameplay with easy-to-learn mechanics, Eldritch Automata boasts a low barrier to entry with simple mechanics and character creation that takes as little as 10 minutes! Eldritch Automata takes a low-floor/high-ceiling approach to gameplay, however, with interesting combat and out-of-combat systems allowing for a variety of complex approaches to keep the game compelling for both new and seasoned TTRPG players.

An Automata, or mech, posed in black and white against a white triangle background.

Ultimately, the biggest enemy you will face in Eldritch Automata is yourself. Can you maintain your morale in a world that is constantly trying to tear it away? Can you navigate the treacherous waters of a brave new world and survive the horrors that lurk around every corner? The answers to these questions are up to you.

Welcome to Eldritch Automata, where the only certainty is uncertainty.

Virtual Tabletops

Play Eldritch Automata Online with these VTT modules.

Diceweaver

Eldritch Automat Quicklaunch Guide & The Dark Passenger Operation.

Hedron

COMING SOON

Actual Plays & Learn to Play Content

Want to learn to play Eldritch Automata but not sure where to start? Check out one of the many actual play videos or podcasts showcasing the game! We are also working for an in-depth deep dive video to teach aspiring Game Architects how to run the system.

Join the crew of No Quest For The Wicked for the Session 0 of their Eldritch Automata mini-series, Heart of Entropy, as they discuss character creation, the rules, and more.

Watch the pilot episode of our own Eldritch Automata actual play set in the universe of Neon Genesis Evangelion, one of the main inspirations for the game.

(This AP uses a beta ruleset for E//A)

Jam With Us

ALCHEMY

COMING SOON

GM Logar explores the rules of Eldritch Automata and summaries how to play the game.

The crew at Sword & Key explore the world of Eldritch Automata in an interview with Nick and a two-part actual play series.

Roadmap

  • Quicklaunch Guide

    Available for Download!

  • Core Rulebook

    Status - Editing & Art Direction

    ETA - Q4 2025

  • Game Architect's Screen

    Status - Layout & Design

    ETA - Q4 2025

  • Dice

    Status - Manufacturing

    ETA - Q4 2025

  • Equipment Deck

    Status - Layout & Design

    ETA - Q4 2025

  • Dossiers

    Status - Design & Layout

    ETA - Q4 2025

  • Official Soundtrack

    Status - Recording

    ETA - TBD

Eldritch Automata In The News

  • Nick Francia Interview | Webster Style

    Webster Style interviews E//A creator Nick Francia at PAX Unplugged 2024

    Published June 2025

  • Gehenna Gaming to demo new tabletop RPGs at UK Games Expo 2025

    Geek Native explores E//A and Trashumanism at UK Games Expo.

    Published May 2025

  • Bringing GM's Across The Country w/ Nick Francia

    DevDive:Side Table interviews E//A creator Nick Francia.

    Published April 2025

  • Confronting Angelic Horrors with Community and Eldritch Automata

    Unwinnable’s Levi Rubeck explores Eldritch Automata.

    Published February 2025

  • Eldritch Automata Interview | The AARPGs

    Tyr from The Advanced Age Roleplaying Gamers interviews E//A creator Nick Francia at PAX Unplugged 2024.

    Published December 2024

  • New List Item

    E//A contributor Chris Handley talks E//A, Warhammer, and more with Dripping Creativity’s Chris Corvan.

    Published July 2024

  • Don't Miss Eldritch Automata RPG, Mecha Based Cosmic Horror

    OnTableTop covers the Backerkit Campaign.

    Published July 2024

  • Eldritch Automata, The Cosmic Horror Mecha TTRPG, Blows Up on Backerkit

    TechRaptor covers the Backerkit campaign.

    Published June 2024

  • Eldritch Automata Mechanizes The Body Horrific

    Rascal News’ Lin Codega reviews E//A.

    Published May 2024

  • Eldritch Automata Releases Free Quicklaunch Guide

    Bleeding Cool reviews the E//A Quicklaunch Guide.

    Published May 2024

  • ST Forge Spotlight

    The folks at Storytellers Forge explore “How We Would Run Eldritch Automata.”

    Published January 2024

  • The Hardboiled GMshoe Interview

    Dan the GMShoe interviews E//A creator Nick Francia

    Published December 2023

  • MECH Week: Systems | Skeleton Code Machine

    Skeleton Code Machine reviews the Eldritch Automata system as part of their MECH WEEK content.

    Published November 2024