Last year, the gaming world was abuzz with excitement when Wizards of the Coast teamed up with Resolution Games to bring Dungeons & Dragons into the realm of virtual reality. This beloved tabletop RPG has captivated players for decades, and now it’s set to embrace a whole new dimension.
Up until recently, the details surrounding this VR adaptation were kept tightly under wraps. However, that veil of mystery was lifted this Wednesday, as both companies shared the much-anticipated title along with juicy new details. With this announcement, players inch closer to diving into a virtual D&D world.
Introducing Battlemarked, the game takes advantage of Resolution Games’ impressive Demeo system. This system crafts a virtual tabletop experience, offering gameplay that echoes D&D’s turn-based combat style. It cleverly incorporates an action point system that revolves around playing cards, keeping the tabletop essence alive.
Interestingly, Battlemarked marks a first-time collaboration between Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast. This partnership aims to deliver an experience that feels authentically D&D, differentiating it from the well-loved Demeo. Yet, unlike traditional games of D&D, Battlemarked doesn’t require a Dungeon Master. Instead, the focus shifts to strategy and decision-making, encouraging players to engage more with the gameplay than roleplaying.
At launch, players can dive into two narrative-rich campaigns, designed for up to four players to embark on together.
Battlemarked is designed to be versatile, making it available across various platforms, including VR, PC, and consoles. While the specifics on supported devices are still a bit vague, knowing that Demeo can be played on Meta Quest, Pico, SteamVR, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation 5, PC, Mac, and iPad gives us a good idea of where Battlemarked might land.
Accompanying the announcement is a brand-new trailer, teasing the magical art style from Wizards of the Coast that fans adore. It also showcases some intriguing classes and races, such as a fighter Dragonborn and a rogue Tiefling, leaving us eager for more reveals.
Despite this exciting news, many aspects of Battlemarked remain shrouded in mystery, including its release date and price. The specifics of the campaigns are equally elusive. Resolution Games has hinted at expanding with additional campaigns set in various D&D settings in the future, but they remain tight-lipped about further details.
Resolution Games, a Stockholm-based studio, has been making its mark in the gaming industry for a decade now. Known for popular titles like Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs, Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale, and Spatial Ops, they’ve secured around $38.6 million in funding, as reported by PitchBook.
Today’s reveal highlights the ongoing rise of D&D in popular culture. What once was a niche game has blossomed into a multimedia phenomenon, inspiring web series like Critical Role and Dimension 20, games like Baldur’s Gate 3 by Larian Studios, and even movies such as the cinematic outing “Honor Among Thieves.”
