Last year brought thrilling news for fans of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) as Wizards of the Coast teamed up with Resolution Games to bring a beloved tabletop RPG into the realm of virtual reality.
For months, details about this fresh VR adventure were as mysterious as a hidden dungeon. But just this Wednesday, both companies pulled back the curtain, revealing the game’s official title and offering a glimpse of what players can expect. This announcement inches us closer to immersing ourselves in a virtual D&D world.
Named Battlemarked, the upcoming game taps into Resolution Games’ Demeo system. This system is known for creating a virtual tabletop atmosphere and features gameplay reminiscent of D&D, complete with turn-based combat. A unique twist is its action point system, which cleverly uses playing cards.
This collaboration marks the first between Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast, promising a more authentic D&D feel than previous efforts like Demeo. One major difference is that Battlemarked won’t need a Dungeon Master (DM). Instead, Resolution Games aims to focus players’ attention on strategy and decision-making rather than traditional roleplaying narratives.
At launch, you can look forward to two story-driven campaigns ready to be explored by teams of up to four players.
Battlemarked is gearing up for a broad release across various platforms, spanning VR, PC, and console. Although a detailed list of supported devices hasn’t been shared, we know that Demeo enjoys a presence on Meta Quest, Pico, SteamVR, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation 5, PC, Mac, and iPad. It’s quite possible Battlemarked will follow suit on these platforms.
In tandem with the announcement, a new trailer dropped, showcasing the signature art style of Wizards of the Coast. Fans can expect to play as intriguing classes and races such as a fighter Dragonborn, a rogue Tiefling, and others.
Though there’s still much more to uncover about Battlemarked, including its release date and pricing, and details about the campaigns themselves, the future promises additional content set in varying D&D realms. That said, further specifics were not shared.
Resolution Games, a game studio established a decade ago in Stockholm, Sweden, has a reputation for a diverse range of games like Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs and Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale. They’ve successfully raised about $38.6 million to date, according to PitchBook.
This latest news is part of a larger trend where D&D’s popularity continues to soar in mainstream culture. From successful web series like Critical Role and Dimension 20 to video games such as Baldur’s Gate 3 and even the cinematic release of “Honor Among Thieves,” D&D is conquering various entertainment mediums.
