Resolution Games Unveils Battlemarked: A New VR Dungeons & Dragons Adventure

Last year, fans of the legendary tabletop role-playing game, Dungeons & Dragons (D&D), received thrilling news from Wizards of the Coast and Resolution Games. They revealed plans to bring the magic of D&D into the realm of virtual reality.

For a while, the specifics of this ambitious project were kept tightly under wraps. However, this past Wednesday, the companies lifted the veil just a little, sharing the game’s official title and some fresh details that bring players tantalizingly closer to stepping into a VR-driven D&D adventure.

The new game, called Battlemarked, is built on the Demeo system by Resolution Games. This system creates a virtual tabletop setting where gameplay mirrors the classic D&D style, focusing on turn-based combat. It introduces an intriguing twist with an action point system that incorporates playing cards into the mix.

This marks the first collaboration between Resolution Games and Wizards of the Coast, ensuring that Battlemarked will likely capture the authentic spirit of D&D more faithfully than previous adaptations like Demeo. Interestingly, unlike traditional D&D, Battlemarked does away with the need for a Dungeon Master (DM). The design leans more towards strategic thinking and decision-making, giving players a distinct experience without sacrificing the game’s core essence.

Players can initially dive into two story-driven campaigns, a setup that caters to co-op gameplay with up to four adventurers. The game promises to be accessible across a variety of platforms, including VR, PC, and consoles. Although detailed compatibility lists remain undisclosed, considering Demeo’s current availability on devices ranging from Meta Quest and SteamVR to PlayStation VR2 and Mac, it’s expected Battlemarked may follow a similar release pattern.

A newly released trailer accompanies this announcement, highlighting the familiar artistic flair synonymous with Wizards of the Coast. It also teases exciting character options, revealing classes and races like the fierce fighter Dragonborn and the stealthy rogue Tiefling, among others.

Even with this new knowledge, many aspects of Battlemarked remain veiled in mystery, including its release date and pricing. The finer points of the campaigns are yet to be disclosed, although Resolution Games has hinted at plans to roll out additional campaigns exploring various D&D landscapes in the future. At this stage, they’ve opted not to divulge further information.

Resolution Games, based in Stockholm, Sweden, has been a significant player in the gaming industry for over ten years. Their diverse portfolio includes titles like Angry Birds: Isle of Pigs, Cook-Out: A Sandwich Tale, and Spatial Ops. The company has successfully secured around $38.6 million, as per PitchBook data.

This latest announcement underscores a continuing trend—D&D’s rise to mainstream cultural prominence. It has burgeoned into a dynamic multimedia franchise, influencing web series such as Critical Role and Dimension 20, inspiring video games like Larian Studios’ Baldur’s Gate 3, and even sparking interest in the cinematic release “Honor Among Thieves.”