It has been announced by Resolution Games that their highly anticipated Dungeons & Dragons-themed version of Demeo (2021) will be officially launching on all major VR headsets and flatscreen platforms next month.
Exciting News
First revealed in January, Resolution Games and Hasbro’s Wizards of the Coast have joined forces to introduce Demeo x DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Battlemarked.
The game is set to release on Quest 2 and above, PSVR 2, and SteamVR headsets on November 20th, with a price tag of $30. Additionally, players can enjoy cross-platform and cross-device compatibility with PC and PS5.
Similar to Demeo, players will team up with up to four online players in turn-based combat within monster-filled dungeons, this time with the inclusion of classic D&D settings and classes such as paladin, sorcerer, ranger, and rogue.
As part of the announcement, Resolution Games will be offering a playable demo during Steam Next Fest, scheduled from October 13th – 20th. The demo will feature two encounters and access to four playable heroes:
- Tibby, the chaotic halfling sorcerer
- Bolthrax, the hot-headed dragonborn paladin of Bahamut
- Ash, the infernal-blooded tiefling rogue who conceals her pain behind a quick wit and a smile
- Jessix, the human ranger on a quest for vengeance
Personal Thoughts
In a similar fashion to many D&D video games, Demeo x DUNGEONS & DRAGONS: Battlemarked focuses on capturing the essence of iconic D&D elements without the traditional pen and paper roleplaying aspect or lengthy character creation process. The studio describes it as “streamlined strategy,” highlighting the accessible and casual nature of the Demeo gameplay style.
While the original Demeo already delivers these core elements (minus the D&D branding), the deeper integration with the D&D universe is expected to attract a larger player base, potentially boosting online server activity—especially considering the positive impact seen when the studio introduced flatscreen support for Demeo a year after its VR launch.
Even though the gameplay remains consistent, maintaining active servers will benefit VR headset users by ensuring a variety of available games for quick battles, given that the gameplay revolves around moving characters, selecting attacks from card options, and rolling dice to determine attack outcomes. This setup is ideal for seamless VR-flatscreen cross-play.
Moreover, the game’s expansion means an array of new missions to embark on, making the additional $30 investment worthwhile. Notably, content updates for Demeo ceased following the release of the PvP title Demeo Battles (2023), which was initially planned as a DLC for Demeo but later evolved into a standalone title for both VR and flatscreen platforms in November 2023.
