The Dread Machine
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Journeying into new dimensions!
🕑 Added 2023-09-27 14:55:09 +0000 UTCI've been keeping pretty quiet about the solo RPG Kanishk and I have been working on, mostly because I'd want to avoid any kind of deadline pressure. This is the biggest project I've ever attempted, and the stakes feel pretty high. However, the more progress I make, the more excited I get, so I'm going to share my secret news here.
In Plane, players assume the role of an interdimensional teleporter operator for AstroFusion, the multiverse's best (and only!) interdimensional transportation company. Imagine the hum of machinery, a room aglow with teleportation energy, and an array of quirky travelers, each with a story to tell. The player's job is to document those stories, to make connections with coworkers, and, of course, to prevent catastrophic teleporter malfunctions.
I'm an avid solo RPG player, but many of the games I've played are designed to be experienced one time. Prompts are often very narrow. Rarely are additional game modes provided. With Plane, I focused hard on creating a distinct world with prompts that provide just enough guidance, so the player will have direction without feeling railroaded. We've included three game modes, and we're working on the first expansion already. (We're drafting two more Plane titles also.)
The easy part of the game—the writing, play testing, and formatting—are largely done, but I don't do anything half-assed, so in preparation for the campaign, I've been working on handcrafted elements: polyhedral dice sets, hand-painted tumbling block towers, premium art prints, and a custom deck of cards.
Some of my favorite solo tabletop experiences have included these personal touches from the creator, so I hope to generate the same kind of enthusiasm with those who play our game. Helping and witnessing other creators bring cool things into the world has been among my greatest joys, but I'm nervous AF right now, being on the other side of it, lol.
