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PAX East 2024 – Alchemy RPG Is The World’s First Virtual Tabletop

Alchemy RPG

Alchemy has a product I have never seen before: its Virtual Tabletop (VTT) software. I spoke briefly at the table with Vincent Colantuoni to figure out what this product was. Why were they selling cards? I had too many questions, and I wanted answers. They have a solution to level up your online or in-person tabletop experience. Their software completely blew me away. 

Alchemy RPG Focuses on Theater of the Mind and Cinematic Immersion

Alchemy focuses on giving you all the tools to play your game and all the tools your game masters need to run your game. The UI is slick, and playing/running the game is more secondary to the centerpiece of what they call scenes. Scenes are all the visual and auditory experiences the players need to bring into their gaming universe.

Alchemy RPG
Image Credit: Alchemy RPG.

There are panels on each side of the screen for chat and rolling dice. You can also see all the NPCs in the panels. Game masters have tools on the side panels to help them work scenes. They serve to help move the gameplay along. Voice and video tools are integrated into the app for players. Universes is a tab that enables you to manage and create content. Alchemy has a marketplace full of curated content from creators all around the industry. 

Alchemy RPG Will Take Over Everyone’s Gaming Sessions

It’s time to step away from pen and paper by immersing yourself deeply into your campaigns. You can buy card sets or packs that unlock environments, music, sound effects, and so much more. Let’s take a look at an example, like Dungeons and Dragons Questiary Pack 1. The pack has plot-ready monsters to bring into your 5E games. You get an illustrated backstory, with plot hooks and combat tactics, for the fifteen monsters. Additionally, you’ll get stat blocks for the monsters and minions they command.

This pack is $20 and adds so much to your campaign for a decent price. You can get systems and rule books for different games. They offer so many products, including NPCs, music, maps, scenes, magic items, and bestiaries. No more lugging books or worrying about losing papers or figures. Just pop open a laptop or hop on something with a browser. Everyone can take action at their own station or have a DM control it all. The visuals and music will transport you to your universe. 

Alchemy RPG Is New, But Already Has Big Partnerships

Alchemy came out the gate swinging with a huge partnership announcement. They partnered with Paizo to bring Pathfinder 2E to the platform. With support for Pathfinder and Dungeons & Dragons 5E, you’d think that would be enough, but they have so many others you can play. They have a Year Zero Engine that supports quite a few games, one big one being ALIEN. They support Call of Cthulhu, Vampire: The Masquerade, Fallout, Dune, and many more.

Alchemy RPG Pax
Image Credit: Alchemy RPG.

Players can choose between a free account or a monthly subscription option. The subscription model, Alchemy Unlimited, allows you to create as many content universes, characters, and games as you like for $8 a month. The free version lets you invite players, develop scenes, homebrew worlds, and utilize voice chat. It isn’t super restrictive and choking the money out of you if you only buy content packs with a free account. Essentially, the sub-fee allows members to have more cloud storage.

Get a few free content packs and give it a try. It could change your tabletop session and pull you in even deeper during your campaign. 

Written by Mikey Yaden

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