Dead Belt

Dead Belt is a rules-lite solo/co-op survival RPG where you play as a Belter scavenging derelict starships on the Gasping Frontier. Using just a d6, cards, and tokens, you navigate procedurally generated ships and manage oxygen.

At-a-glance

Space Western • d6 + card-based oracles • Solo/Co-op/Rivalry • Zero prep • Rules-lite • 30-90 min sessions

Dead Belt

Dead Belt drops players into the Gasping Frontier , a lawless region of space littered with derelict starships. You are a Belter—one of the desperate scavengers who board these hulks hoping to strip enough salvage to pay off debt.

Theme and Setting

Core Mechanics The card-based ship generator creates procedural layouts using a standard deck of cards. Oxygen management creates push-your-luck tension—every room explored consumes precious O2.

How Play Feels

Three play modes: Solo, Co-Op, and Rivalry. Emergent exploration through card draws.

What Makes It Distinct

Real survival tension with oxygen countdown. Zero-prep design using common household items.

Where It May Not Fit

You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryover You want the system to stay almost invisible at the table.

Decision guide

What this game is about

Key facts
Players
1-1 players
Session
30-90 minutes
Prep
None
Play profile
Complexity
3/5
New GM Fit
3/5
Roleplay Focus
3/5
Combat Focus
2/5
Tactical Depth
2/5
Campaign Depth
5/5
Who it suits
Best for
Players who want science-fiction ideas to shape the actual play experienceGroups that want place, travel, and discovery to stay centralLong-form campaigns with room for the table to build momentum
Avoid if
You mainly want short standalone sessions with minimal carryoverYou want the system to stay almost invisible at the tableYou want a much breezier tone than this game is built to support

A strong fit for groups that want science-fiction ideas to shape the actual play experience, with exploration-Driven helping define the experience.

Agent data

Structured data and an explicit decision profile JSON document are available for remote agents.

Open agent JSON