Last year brought some thrilling news for the gaming community when Wizards of the Coast and Resolution Games revealed plans to take Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the iconic tabletop RPG, into the realm of virtual reality.
Up until now, they’ve played their cards close to the chest, revealing very little about what this new venture would entail. But this Wednesday, eager fans finally got a peek behind the curtain. The companies introduced the game’s official title and dropped a few more details, inching us all closer to diving into a VR D&D world.
The game, which will be called Battlemarked, cleverly utilizes Resolution Games’ Demeo system. For those unfamiliar, Demeo is known for a digital tabletop setup that mirrors classic D&D gameplay with strategic, turn-based combat. It even features an action point system involving playing cards.
What makes Battlemarked particularly intriguing is that it marks the first collaboration between Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast. As a result, it’s bound to feel more akin to the authentic D&D atmosphere than Demeo. But don’t expect to play with a Dungeon Master. Resolution Games has crafted Battlemarked to spotlight strategic choices over roleplaying.
At its debut, players can delve into two narrative campaigns, with up to four adventurers stepping into the adventure.
Battlemarked is set to be available across multiple platforms, including VR, PC, and consoles. While an exact list of compatible devices hasn’t been specified, if Demeo’s platform availability is any indication, we could see it on systems like Meta Quest, Pico, SteamVR, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation 5, PC, Mac, and iPad.
To whet our appetites even more, the companies released a brand-new trailer. This preview highlights the artistic style fans of Wizards of the Coast are fond of and teases some of the character classes and races to expect, such as a fierce Dragonborn fighter, a cunning Tiefling rogue, and more.
Many elements of the game remain shrouded in mystery, including the launch date and pricing details. Furthermore, specifics about the campaigns themselves are under wraps. However, Resolution Games has teased their intention to develop more campaigns set in “different D&D settings” in the future. They’ve been tight-lipped and declined to comment further when asked.
For those unfamiliar with Resolution Games, they’re a Stockholm-based studio with a decade of experience. Their repertoire includes a variety of games like Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs, Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale, and Spatial Ops. With about $38.6 million raised to date, according to PitchBook, they’ve certainly made their mark on the industry.
Today’s revelation is part of the larger trend where D&D is stepping further into mainstream consciousness. It’s blossomed into a multifaceted franchise, with influences spanning popular web series such as Critical Role and Dimension 20, beloved video games like Baldur’s Gate 3 from Larian Studios, and even the film “Honor Among Thieves” adding to its ever-growing legacy.
