D&D General ARcana -- Augmented TTRPG Platform from Actor Joe Manganiello

Mirrorscape, an augmented reality company which includes actor Joe Manganellio as Creative Director, is a way to view your game's tabletop in AR through a phone or tablet device. It's on Kickstarter now with a planned release at the end of this year.

ARcana: Augmented Reality Platform for TTRPGs

Bringing the table back to tabletop gaming!

www.kickstarter.com

The platform works as an iOS or Android app, and enables you to simulate a full tabletop with models, scenery, and miniatures, anywhere you have a flat surface.

You can purchase additional terrain or miniatures from Mirrorscape's partners, which include Dwaven Forge, Reaper Minis, Hero Forge, and Fat Dragon Games.

If you pledge $30 (or more) in the Kickstarter you get a starter set and a discount on terrain and mini packs; and at higher levels you get beta access (staring at $50) and Kickstarter exclusives.

 

[Morrus]

I certainly understand your point, but for someone like me (over 1100/20 vision), who must wear very thick glasses to see anything at all, such forms of AR, VR, or even 3-D movies or video games don't work at all.

In which case, they need to make prescription AR glasses.

 

[Dire Bare]

Kidding aside.....I've reviewed most of the 3D VTTs out there (on YouTube) and I can say, this has legs compared to most of them. But, the KS hasn't exactly exploded as fast as Talespire did.....I'll have to spend a lot of time really looking at this to compare it to TS, Wildshape, Realm Engine, Game Master Engine, and The RPG Engine......

Wish I'd seen this soon enough to get in the beta......

There's another one on Kickstarter right now, QuestHaven. This space is becoming somewhat crowded!

 

[Hussar]

For me, this stuff will all kick in when its integrated into glasses. Holding up a phone or tablet is a little too awkward for my taste, but it's a step along the road. I imagine that AR glasses will become mainstream in the next few years.

In the meantime though, a small tripod, like what you use for selfies and video conferencing, wouldn't be terribly intrusive at the table. You could just click your phone into the tripod, set it up and you're good to go. Pick it up when you need a different perspective.

Cool idea. Not sure it will catch on. I mean, we've already got VTT integrated tabletops with tv screens built into the play surface. Granted, this is portable, which is a major plus. But, it does look pretty.

 

[Dire Bare]

I'm excited for this one, and backed at the $150 level. For the amount of terrain you get, I think it's a good deal. I really like the visual style of this one, and that you can use it as a AR tabletop as intended, but also as a more "traditional" 3D VTT. The developers have said that while VR won't be supported at launch, its on the menu.

I'm most excited about the partnerships. If Dwarven Forge and Fat Dragon upload digital versions of their entire catalogs . . . . that's going to be a lot of digital terrain available. If Reaper Minis uploads their entire catalog of miniatures over time . . . that's going to be a lot of high quality, digital miniatures. And with HeroForge imports!!!

If Mirrorscape (the developers) add more partnerships, which they seem intent on doing . . . this could become even cooler.

I'm really hoping that Mirrorscape lands partnership deals with WizKids and WotC . . . . and maybe with Dungeon Alchemist as well!!

 

[Zaukrie]

I'm excited for this one, and backed at the $150 level. For the amount of terrain you get, I think it's a good deal. I really like the visual style of this one, and that you can use it as a AR tabletop as intended, but also as a more "traditional" 3D VTT. The developers have said that while VR won't be supported at launch, its on the menu.

I'm most excited about the partnerships. If Dwarven Forge and Fat Dragon upload digital versions of their entire catalogs . . . . that's going to be a lot of digital terrain available. If Reaper Minis uploads their entire catalog of miniatures over time . . . that's going to be a lot of high quality, digital miniatures. And with HeroForge imports!!!

If Mirrorscape (the developers) add more partnerships, which they seem intent on doing . . . this could become even cooler.

I'm really hoping that Mirrorscape lands partnership deals with WizKids and WotC . . . . and maybe with Dungeon Alchemist as well!!

I'm editing a YT video I just recorded on this one........

The biggest issues:
Cost of minis....and future terrain and even the number of minis (NPCs?)
NO PROPS in the KS version. Your rooms will be empty. Ugh.
Where are my character sheets? No way I'm rolling on their tool, then checking my DnDBeyond sheets and doing math. I mean, they are "playing" but have no sheets? How will that work on an iPad or phone or Android device.......

 

[Zaukrie]

There's another one on Kickstarter right now, QuestHaven. This space is becoming somewhat crowded!

Interesting looking. They launched at a bad time, I guess. There are some very cool things here, but again, the cost (guest passes or everyone needs a license) and tight tie to VR are likely not ideal for most. I'll have to look at this....thanks,

 

[dave2008]

For me, this stuff will all kick in when its integrated into glasses. Holding up a phone or tablet is a little too awkward for my taste, but it's a step along the road. I imagine that AR glasses will become mainstream in the next few years.

FYI, on the KS they claim the will be compatible with AR glasses when they are released:

 

[dave2008]

I need more than glasses - I need an interface to use it where I can reach out and manipulate the items and not have to deal with a touchscreen or keyboard or something else. 3d models are great to look at but to actually game with them I need interactivity.

They claim they will have that in the future on their KS:

 

[Jer]

They claim they will have that in the future on their KS:

View attachment 154902

I'll believe it when I see it. I feel like this has been promised as "just around the corner" since forever but it's always just out of reach.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Ya know! what I think I want is an AR/VR, I want enough local awareness that I can interact with my keyboard, mouse, dice, and coffee (or other drink) and play the game in VR. That is, when I look at the table it is a table with dice, minis, map and full motion capture avatars of my fellow players. As them selves or disguised as orcs or whatever.