Last year, Wizards of the Coast teamed up with Resolution Games to share some exciting news: Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), the beloved tabletop RPG, is making its way into the realm of virtual reality.
For some time, they’ve kept the particulars of this project pretty tight-lipped. But just this past Wednesday, the duo finally revealed the game’s official name and a slew of other details, moving players a step closer to immersing themselves in a VR version of D&D.
Get ready for Battlemarked, the name of the new game, which draws on Resolution Games’ Demeo system. This system creates a virtual tabletop experience with gameplay reminiscent of D&D that revolves around turn-based combat. It also employs an intriguing action point system using playing cards.
What makes Battlemarked particularly intriguing is that it’s the inaugural collaboration between Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast, promising a more authentic D&D feel than Demeo. However, unlike traditional D&D sessions, you won’t need a Dungeon Master. Resolution Games wants players to focus more on strategy and decision-making rather than deep roleplaying.
When Battlemarked launches, it will boast two story-driven campaigns for up to four players to dive into.
The game is poised to make its mark on multiple platforms, including VR, PC, and consoles. While a specific list of supported devices is yet to be disclosed, we do know that platforms like the Meta Quest, Pico, SteamVR, PlayStation VR2, PlayStation 5, PC, Mac, and iPad have supported Demeo. It’s likely Battlemarked will be available on these as well.
To coincide with this announcement, a new trailer dropped, showcasing the impressive artistic style that Wizards of the Coast fans adore. Players can look forward to iconic classes and races, like a fierce Dragonborn fighter and a cunning Tiefling rogue, among others.
Still, there are many question marks hanging over this new title, such as the release date and pricing. We’re also in the dark about campaign storylines. Resolution Games, however, did mention plans to roll out more campaigns set in various “D&D settings” down the line, yet they were tight-lipped when pressed for more answers.
Resolution Games is no newcomer; they’ve been crafting games for a decade from their base in Stockholm, Sweden. With titles like Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs, Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale, and Spatial Ops under their belt, they’ve amassed around $38.6 million in funding so far, according to PitchBook.
This announcement is yet another indication of D&D’s growing mainstream appeal. It’s transformed into a multi-faceted franchise with everything from hit web series like Critical Role and Dimension 20 to video games like Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3, not to mention the movie “Honor Among Thieves.”
