I think it’s fair to say that technology, tabletop games, and Kickstarter have an “interesting” history. Some great ideas have weirdly flopped at funding or failed to deliver, whereas others raked in cash and some we’re still waiting to see delivered.
There’s a positive vibe around Long Dog Games’ Pericle. It’s an app-driven tabletop RPG that asked for $60,000 and got that in about 30 minutes. So, I might be cautious, the market might be cautious, and while Pericle’s subtitle is “Gathering Darkness”, it’s also a glimmer of light in some ways.
The twist? This is attempt two from Long Dog Games. This pitch is good because there’s hindsight. You can find out more or pledge from the project page.
What’s an app-driven tabletop RPG when it’s at home?
In Pericle’s case, an app-driven tabletop RPG is a game that combines dice-based combat and a companion app that replaces the GM. The system can cope with 1 to 4 players, and that solo aspect is likely a big draw.
The app is called Loremaster, and it narrates the Gathering Darkness with animations, art, soundtracks and copes with the branching storylines. I suppose you could argue it’s a very clever Choose Your Own Adventure book.
However, as the Kickstarter page is clear, Pericle is tactile too. It comes with a small army of standees. The core game ($99) is the campaign, the app, the Hero Handbook, the Pericle Rulebook, 25 double-sided combat maps, dice, 75 hero and enemy standees, magic tokens, hero tokens, pre-genned heroes, combat and grappling reference sheets.
That’s just the core rules.
Loremaster acts as the Game Master. It spins the tale, immersing players in the world of Pericle with a dynamic soundtrack, cut scenes, and artwork. Loremaster provides players the opportunity to make impactful decisions that will decide their fate and change the course of the game’s narrative… for better or for worse.
Players can access Loremaster on computer or tablet, and the app saves the party’s progress for future sessions. The Gathering Darkness campaign will have over 200 hours of gameplay, all contained in and orchestrated by Loremaster.
That core game, the $99 tier, is the first that offers any rewards. In addition to the loot mentioned above, backers also access the pledge manager and all the stretch goals. Shipping and taxes will be worked out later.
The Kickstarter edition costs $120 and unlocks the exclusive Magic Item Compendium and Vargr playable ancestry.
The pledges ramp up from there; $150 is the Explorer’s Pledge which adds extra Hero Sheets, dice, trackers and an Adventure Log Book; $200 for the Adventurer’s Pledge with additional Spell cards, hardcovers of the books and $249 for the Folk Hero Pledge that doubles the standee pile.
How high does it get? $3,500, and the final perk is creating a boss or mini-boss for the game, in addition to everything previously unlocked.
Limited tiers exist and are selling out.
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