Journey Zero (18-28-38-48)

Journey Zero (18–28–38–48) is a digital board game with storytelling elements. It is referred to as a "tabletop/computer RPG hybrid" because it is designed to work in typical tabletop RPG fashion, with a gamemaster organizing a role-playing session for a group of players portraying in-universe characters, which must follow a system of previously determined rules of interaction with the fictional world. However, our complex set of mechanics, made to mirror golden-era console RPGs, relies on an executable engine which handles simulation-heavy elements such as combat, exploration and economy, while players retain control over the infinite narrative elements that can’t be reproduced by any machine (...yet?).

WARNING: there is a... small gap between the system rules conceptualized so far and their implementation on the digital engine. "Please understand." There are about 20 minutes worth of unique events coded in so far, but, theoretically, one could play a campaign for an indefinite amount of time by using the manual and spreadsheet as a reference to fill in the gaps, activating the in-game debug utilities and handling narration IRL.

You can download the entire system ("Journey Zero (18-28-38-48).zip"), or its individual components alone:
 - 18-28-38-48.zip: the digital sandbox engine itself;
 - Hoshi no youni sekaijuu o tobe (Web).pdf: a short story which takes place on the same setting, fleshing out the lore;
 - Journey Zero (18-28-38-48) (Web).pdf: the system's manual, connecting the dots placed by the database;
 - Wooden.xlsm: the system's database, containing information on all aspects of the game.

WIP: All facets of this project are very much a work in progress. Any feedback is appreciated.

Drive Mirror/Preview