They say you can’t judge a book by its cover, and that may be true of books. However, it certainly doesn’t apply in the world of tabletop role-playing games (RPG) like Dungeons & Dragons because the role of the packaging and contents is to engage the imagination and inspire – both of which are critical to a game’s appeal and identity.
Having worked with New Zealand based company Battlefront Miniatures on the Flames of War – a tabletop miniatures wargame primarily focused on World War battles – for more than a decade, as well as Gale Force Nine, MC2 was uniquely positioned to take on a vast RPG project for US based gaming company Beadle Grimm called “DM Vault for Planescape: Adventures in the Multiverse (D&D)”.
Packaged in a beautifully embossed tin, the set is packed with everything a DM (Dungeon Master) needs to immerse players in the game world of Sigil and the Outlands, including:
- Two durable canvas Poster Maps: Sigil and the Outlands.
- 10 Battle Maps of significant battles, including an original multi-purpose Sigil Street battle map.
- 40 Encounter Cards of monsters in the adventure from Morte’s Planar Parade.
- Three Gold Razorleaf Coins and ONE Platinum Razorleaf Coin, all in a Fortune’s Wheel pouch.
- Six In-world handouts for players as they go through the adventure.
- There are plenty of DM and Player Aids like the Esoteric & Planar Field Reporting Notebook and a stack of art broken out from the book.
The production of the game was as epic as the game itself. Using multiple elements like paper, board, textiles, tin, and plastic, MC2 worked closely with the directors, designers, writers and our printers to create the premium set.
Available in a limited quantity of 1000 in total, the production project involved months of meticulous planning and proofing, including embossing flat and textured tin – not to mention the co-ordination, liaison and collaboration that Maria Chapman of MC2 had to pull off to complete the project on budget and on time.
“The project drew on all our skills and contacts, including attention to detail, meticulous planning and project management, tenacity and negotiating skills, problem shooting and diplomacy – but we’re relationship people, so we loved every minute of it.”
Producing a special edition RPG game set is like conducting a vibrant symphony where multiple elements like printing, embossing, graphic design, packaging, and game pieces come together to create magic.
