Pinnacle Entertainment Group (PEG) provides a promotional freebie known as the Savage Worlds Test Drive, intended to allow prospective players to test the latest rules for the Savage Worlds roleplaying system without cost. The Test Drive is designed to function as an introductory package, requiring neither prior ownership of the core rulebook nor purchase of other products to utilize the included materials.
The Test Drive download typically contains pre-made characters, power cards, and the essential combat rules necessary to begin play. According to the source material, the specific version highlighted in this offer includes the Deadlands adventure "Blood on the Range." This adventure was created by Shane Lacy Hensley and is described as part of the "The Horror at Headstone Hill" campaign. The inclusion of this adventure serves as a gateway into the "weird west" genre and the popular Deadlands setting. The stated goal of the freebie is to encourage people to try Savage Worlds and Deadlands; therefore, users are not required to own the full Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE) or the Deadlands book to run the included adventure.
The Test Drive materials are available for direct download from PEG. Source data indicates that the latest English Test Drive is hosted at a specific URL, allowing users to access the condensed rules and short adventure at no cost. In addition to the English version, PEG maintains a page for Savage Worlds translations, which may include test drive or quickstart versions in other languages.
Beyond the core Test Drive, the source material references other free resources available for the Savage Worlds system. These include "One Sheet" adventures, which are short, standalone scenarios designed to work with the Test Drive rules. The source mentions that users can download additional One Sheets at the website. Furthermore, the source data points to a specific folder containing materials for "Showdown," a variant for skirmish-level wargaming within the Savage Worlds framework.
The source material also discusses various third-party and setting-specific resources compatible with Savage Worlds, though these are not part of the official PEG freebie offer. For example, "Daring Tales of the Sprawl" is mentioned as a freebie 9-page rules document containing cybernetics, though it is noted as having been overshadowed by newer products like "Interface Zero 2.0." Similarly, "Darwin's World" is cited for its mutation rules, and "High Space" is noted for its gear and ship content. These resources illustrate the broader ecosystem of Savage Worlds support, but the primary free offering discussed remains the official Test Drive and associated One Sheets.
Regarding the full commercial products, the Savage Worlds Adventure Edition (SWADE) is available for purchase in hardback and PDF formats starting at $39.99 from PEG. For the Deadlands setting, the source mentions that the latest edition can be obtained via PledgeManager by joining as a "late backer" to a crowdfunding campaign. This method reportedly offers discounted shipping and access to the book before retail release, as well as access to Kickstarter exclusives.
The source data also includes commentary on the Savage Worlds system itself, though this information is derived from forum posts and blog discussions rather than official promotional material. Some users describe the system as streamlined and easy to learn, noting that GMs are generally good with players who are unfamiliar with the system. However, other commentary suggests that the combat options can be complex, requiring a summary table to explain all available actions. There are also mentions of set difficulties and creature toughness potentially extending combat duration. While these comments provide context on the system's reception, they represent user opinions rather than official descriptions of the product.
In summary, the primary method for accessing Savage Worlds free content is through the official Test Drive download provided by Pinnacle Entertainment Group. This package offers the necessary rules and a sample adventure to evaluate the system. Additional free resources, such as One Sheets and translation guides, are available through PEG's website. While third-party resources exist, the Test Drive remains the central free offering for new players.