''Book of Travels'' is a role-playing video game currently under development by Might and Delight for

Windows Windows is a group of several proprietary graphical operating system families developed and marketed by Microsoft. Each family caters to a certain sector of the computing industry. For example, Windows NT for consumers, Windows Server for ser ...

, Mac, and

Linux Linux ( or ) is a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991, by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged as a Linux distribution, w ...

through Steam. The

early access Early access, also known as alpha access, alpha founding, paid alpha, or game preview, is a funding model in the video game industry by which consumers can purchase and play a game in the various pre-release development cycles, such as pre-alph ...

version of the game was originally scheduled to be released in October 2020, but it was postponed four times. The early access version was ultimately released on October 11, 2021. Unlike massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs), ''Book of Travels'' limits the number of players on each

server Server may refer to: Computing *Server (computing), a computer program or a device that provides functionality for other programs or devices, called clients Role * Waiting staff, those who work at a restaurant or a bar attending customers and su ...

to "make each meeting memorable when players cross paths" and "create a unique role-playing experience."

Gameplay

''Book of Travels'' is described as a "social role-playing experience that doesn't hold your hand." Unlike many RPGs, ''Book of Travels'' has no overarching goals, beginnings, or ends and pushes the player to create their own journey. Unlike many RPGs, the game focuses on role-playing, exploration, and personality rather than stats and numbers.

Plot

Players begin their journey in the

fantasy Fantasy is a genre of speculative fiction involving magical elements, typically set in a fictional universe and sometimes inspired by mythology and folklore. Its roots are in oral traditions, which then became fantasy literature and d ...

world called Braided Shore. Players create characters with various aspects such as star sign, backstory, and personality traits. From the outset, players set off to explore the land of their own will or find people to travel with. Players are able to gather resources, craft items, learn special abilities, with some aspects of combat.

Communication

Player to player interaction is entirely non-text/verbal, relying on a limited set of

emote An emote is an entry in a text-based chat client that indicates an action taking place. Unlike emoticons, they are not text art, and instead describe the action using words or images (similar to emoji). Emotes were created by Shigetaka Kurita ...

s that are gained through player experience. The limitations on emotes is aimed at creating a richer, friendlier experience for players.

Navigation

The main source of traversing ''Book of Travels'' is by walking/running through the game, however, there are alternative ways of travel including manually-powered rail carts.

Music

Players will be able to play instruments together and collect new tunes.

Development

The game was announced September 2019 at

Tokyo Game Show , commonly known as TGS, is a video game expo / convention held annually in September in the Makuhari Messe, in Chiba, Japan. It is presented by the Computer Entertainment Supplier's Association (CESA) and Nikkei Business Publications, Inc. ...

, with a Kickstarter campaign announced for October 2019. The

version of the game was scheduled to be released in October 2020, but it was postponed four times. The early access version was ultimately released on October 11, 2021. Might and Delight has stated that they are committed to expanding the game over time, likening their role to a Dungeon Master, hinting at new scenarios that will be up to players to find on their own. Other content expansions hinted at were new levels and playable areas, characters and storylines and events.

Kickstarter

''Book of Travels'' development was funded by a successful Kickstarter campaign. After 2 weeks, Might and Delight had successfully raised over 2,516,656 SEK ($261,000) from 7,034 supporters and had unlocked a number of stretch goals. By the end of the campaign, the developer had raised over $261,000 from more than 7,000. In addition to funding, Might and Delight also

crowdfunded Crowdfunding is the practice of funding a project or venture by raising money from a large number of people, typically via the internet. Crowdfunding is a form of crowdsourcing and alternative finance. In 2015, over was raised worldwide by crow ...

island concepts from fans to be integrated into the game.

Art Style

The game follows a "hand-painted" artstyle.

Reception

Before the completion of its Kickstarter campaign, ''Book of Travels'' received coverage from numerous outlets including

Forbes ''Forbes'' () is an American business magazine owned by Integrated Whale Media Investments and the Forbes family. Published eight times a year, it features articles on finance, industry, investing, and marketing topics. ''Forbes'' also r ...

Gamasutra ''Game Developer'', known as ''Gamasutra'' until 2021, is a website founded in 1997 that focuses on aspects of video game development. It is owned and operated by Informa and acts as the online sister publication to the print magazine '' Gam ...

, and

Rock Paper Shotgun ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' (also rendered ''Rock, Paper, Shotgun''; short ''RPS'') is a UK-based website for reporting on video games, primarily for PC. Originally launched on 13 July 2007 as an independent site, ''Rock Paper Shotgun'' was acquir ...

. In May 2020, Wholesome Games featured Book of Travels in their Wholesome Direct.

Awards

Received the "Projects We Love" Badge from Kickstarter. ''Book of Travels'' was nominated for Best Long Feature Award at AMAZE 2020.

References

{{Reflist Upcoming video games Multiplayer video games Role-playing video games Kickstarter-funded video games Video games developed in Sweden