Last year brought some thrilling news for fans of tabletop role-playing games. Wizards of the Coast, the masterminds behind Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), teamed up with Resolution Games to announce a groundbreaking project: a virtual reality adaptation of the beloved D&D game was in the works.
Until recently, the project was shrouded in secrecy, with few details escaping the clutches of the developers. However, on Wednesday, the veil was lifted as the companies shared the official title and more tantalizing information, bringing us all closer to stepping into a VR world of D&D magic.
Introducing Battlemarked: this upcoming game is powered by the innovative Demeo system from Resolution Games. It captures the essence of a virtual tabletop setup, enriched with turn-based combat mechanisms reminiscent of traditional D&D, and throws in an action point system involving playing cards to spice things up.
Battlemarked marks the debut collaboration between Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast, promising a gaming experience that leans heavily into the essence of D&D. Yet, there’s a twist—no dungeon master is required this time around. Resolution Games aims to shift the focus towards strategic thinking and decision-making rather than traditional role-playing.
At launch, players can dive into two story-driven campaigns, designed for up to four adventurers at a time. The game will be accessible across multiple platforms, including VR, PC, and consoles. While a specific list of supported devices wasn’t shared, Demeo is already thriving on platforms like Meta Quest, Pico, SteamVR, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation 5, PC, Mac, and iPad, suggesting Battlemarked might arrive on these platforms too.
Along with this exciting news, a new trailer was also unveiled. The trailer gives us a peek at the distinctive art style crafted by Wizards of the Coast, alongside glimpses of various classes and races. Expect to encounter characters like a fighter Dragonborn, a rogue Tiefling, and others in your adventures.
Despite this influx of information, several aspects of Battlemarked remain enigmatic. The release date and pricing are still up in the air, and the details of the campaigns are under wraps. However, Resolution Games is already planning for the future, hinting at additional campaigns set in diverse D&D worlds. Alas, the company remained tight-lipped when approached for further clarification.
Based in Stockholm, Sweden, Resolution Games has been crafting interactive experiences for a decade. Their impressive portfolio includes titles like Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs, Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale, and Spatial Ops. So far, they’ve secured about $38.6 million in funding, according to PitchBook.
This latest announcement underscores the ongoing surge in D&D’s mainstream appeal. No longer just a tabletop game, it has transformed into a multi-faceted franchise, spawning web series like Critical Role and Dimension 20, video games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 from Larian Studios, and even a cinematic outing with “Honor Among Thieves.”
