Is there any plan for supporting Z-axis or vertical, multilevel builds?
Yes! Multilevel builds are a top priority and should be available to our prototype testers very soon. Our City packages depend on it. And it’s going to look really cool!
Last updated: March 31, 2022 17:56
Will we be able to use STLs we already own?
At launch we are working with our partners to deliver realistic looking terrain and minis to your tabletop. Importing STLs is actually not as easy as it sounds. These files are very high poly and do not perform well on mobile or AR. We have a process that decimates and reduces models while keeping all of the detail but to enable that for end users would require uploading, cloud storage and processing and a whole host of other things that are beyond the scope for launch. Plus our minis will come hand painted! We have some other ideas that could be even better for bringing in your own assets. Stay tuned.
Last updated: March 31, 2022 18:02
What about 2D maps and tokens? Will I be able to import those?
Yes. We realize that not everything will be able to be built using the terrain we have on offer, or you may not be able to purchase everything you need, or you may just want to import your own custom stuff. You’ll be able to upload a flat map onto the grid and then use our 3d minis or 2D tokens that you also upload, And you can mix and match that with 3D terrain as well.
Last updated: March 31, 2022 18:02
How will variant paint schemes be handled?
Paint schemes will be available in the marketplace along with terrain and minis. All available paint schemes will be shown on the back of the terrain or mini asset card and selecting one will skin the piece that you can drop on your table. We also want to give users the ability to paint their own minis and have some very cool ideas around this so stay tuned.
Last updated: March 31, 2022 18:02
I’ve noticed from other streaming software that latency becomes almost unbearable. Is there a healthy balance between upload/download required bandwidth versus locally stored information?
The good news is that individual game groups are small so we don’t have the same problem as MMORPGs. We’ll have lots of rooms but a small number of players in each room so that helps. Our data transmission is also very small and optimized. Finally, we are using a very robust underlying network architecture that has been used in dozens of AAA games.
Last updated: March 31, 2022 18:02
How many people can play?
We are incorporating a very solid network architecture underneath used by many AAA games so we should easily support any sized game table. Certainly the usual 2-10 players around most tables. We will also be building in support for one-to-many so you can stream your games to thousands of people who can join in to watch on their own tables.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Any plan on incorporating weather/spell effects (fire, fog, rain, miasma, webs...)?
Yes! Weather is one of our stretch goals that has been unlocked.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Will there be more terrain tile options like jungle, desert, mountains, and more?
Yes! We will be constantly releasing more terrain and minis from our partners. In this Kickstarter you’ll have access to Dungeons, Caverns and Cities.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Will there be Fog of War (FoW)?
Yes. We are working on multiple ways to do FoW and will adopt the one that is the easiest to use. And that also looks the coolest. :)
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Is there audio integration for remote play, or would we need to use discord or another voice chat service?
Yes! We have built in audio currently and are working on video integration as well. If you check out our demo video, you can see a little sneak peek.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
How large might the play area be?
We always say the platform allows you to build as big as your dreams and this is true. You will be able to create enormous builds. Obviously since we are in AR we need to think about how all that fits on your actual table. We’ve been playing around with several methods but will likely be settling on a volumetric scrolling mechanism where you can drag the visible portion of the map into view on your table. The app knows how big your table is so you can fit in view as much as that supports.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Do I have to be connected to the internet to use ARcana?
You will be able to build and organize completely offline but of course you’ll need to be connected to the internet to play with friends.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Since the app works in AR, will it allow us to integrate digital assets with our physical terrain/minis for a mixed reality experience?
Yes, you can do this. We are striving to make our terrain very realistic, so they match well with the physical versions you already have at the table. The LiDar cameras in some of the newer phones and tablets allow for better depth sensing but it still has a ways to go. So perfectly mixing physical and digital pieces amongst each other won’t be very satisfying. Yet. This will continue to improve and we have some very exciting things on the roadmap around this. In the meantime you can build adjacent rooms and other terrain that compliments your physical builds.
See our posted Update on this for a video!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:11
What if I don’t want to or can’t use AR at the moment?
No problem! We have a “leanback” mode which enables you to play in themed environments on your tablet or phone just like any other app. It’s very easy to switch between modes and, in fact, this is how we’ve found most of our beta testers using it. Leaning back on their couch for much of the game and then switch to AR on their tabletop to really get into the action when a battle breaks out!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
What about a VR version?
We are working on a VR version. As we’ve stated on the Kickstarter this has all been built from the ground up to support coming AR glasses and VR uses many of the same interactions and paradigms so obviously we want this. In VR you would play in the same themed environments as in our “leanback” mode.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
I'm an old school gamer, so I just want to verify, this does NOT use a specific game system or rules set. You just use whichever brand, version, flavor you wanted, with the provided maps and figures, right?
Absolutely! We’re 100% agnostic. Our current version focuses on the experience exactly as you play right now with your friends around the table. So you can use your books, paper and pencils and any ruleset you’d like. In the future we’ll have the option to incorporate custom and official rule sets to help automate some of the more repetitive aspects that slow down game play but for now, we’re just here to make it easy for you to do what you already do–from anywhere!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
How does hosting work and what does Unlimited Hosting mean?
Hosting means that you can invite your players to your game and then share any of the assets you have (terrain, minis, etc) with those players for the duration of the game. In order to keep the lights on and fund future development we will likely move to a subscription model post launch. A subscription will allow you to host games as well as provide other benefits. But during the Kickstarter campaign if you pledge at the $50 Adventurer tier or above you will receive free hosting and not have to pay a subscription fee. So now is the time to back us on Kickstarter!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Do my players need to purchase a copy as well?
At launch there will be a free, player version available via the app stores that your players will be able to download and connect to any hosted games. Of course, we’d love them to back us now on Kickstarter and if they pick up the $30 Acolyte pledge then they’ll get additional highly discounted terrain and mini packs to build with. Lots of our beta testers just love to build!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Could there possibly be a Kickstarter pledge level supporting a family account with up to 6x licenses?
Continuing on the question above, for a family you could just back a pledge tier with Unlimited Hosting which would allow your family to play together with the rest of them picking up the free player app coming out at launch. Of course, we’d love players to support us as well during the Kickstarter and they can pick up the $30 Acolyte pledge which gives them some extra, highly discounted terrain and mini packs to build with. Higher levels provide even more packs and expand your options. Some people just like to build with the platform and they would need to own the assets to do that. Sharing of assets only works when hosting a game together.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Will the program rely on a subscription fee or a constant stream of expansion packs?
At the end of the day, we want to make this the absolute best way to play tabletop games now and in the future. Software development is hard and takes a lot of time, effort, and developers! In addition, server maintenance and cloud storage require real investments to keep things running. Post Kickstarter we will most likely move to a subscription model for a small fee that allows you to host your games as well as other cool benefits. There will also be a marketplace where you can purchase additional terrain pieces, minis, and paint schemes for very reasonable prices to expand your games. So now is the time to back us on Kickstarter and avoid any subscription fees and pick up highly discounted terrain and mini packs!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
How will the marketplace work and what are the prices going to be?
The marketplace will provide a host of additional terrain pieces, minis, map, paint schemes and other items for very reasonable prices. We want to make the barrier to entry as low as possible so you can build as big as your dreams while still enabling us to fund development. The prices are still TBD but you can expect most pieces to run a few dollars which you can use infinitely to build big.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Has there been any thought to a sub based system that gives you access to all models rather than having to buy packs and being limited to what you can afford?
We’ve thought about a system like that but for now we’re trying to keep it as simple as possible until we’ve launched. We’ll look to expand with other options after that.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Might there be a port for these digital assets some day in the future where folks could build their own worlds in Unreal or Unity game engines? Make more of a Minecraft style game than purely an AR experience?
We are working on incorporating robust user creation and modification tools to the platform to enable you to do just that and then share them with the community. We have a lot of fun ideas in this category and strive to be the more adult version of Minecraft or Roblox for the TTRPG community.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Will this program have any cross-compatibility with Vorpal Board or any other online gaming platforms?
Right now we are concentrating on bringing you the very best augmented reality tabletop experience to help you enhance your games and don’t have integration with other online platforms to announce at this time. That’s not to say we’re not thinking about some cool options so stay tuned.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Is there going to be any support for gaming tables that project their game boards on television screens embedded in the table or via projectors?
If you’re looking to project what you’re seeing on your device we’ve actually had really good success using iOS’s built-in screen sharing. We had a great demo at Two Bit Circus in Los Angeles and it worked flawlessly. That said, the magic of the experience is moving around with your device and seeing your terrain in full 3D as if it’s actually on the table!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
What sort of support is planned for people who want to utilize this for Twitch streaming as opposed to in-person AR?
As we’ve noted above, we’ve had great success in streaming the action to TVs and other devices so you could easily do this for Twitch. But we want to go one better. Imagine you’re watching your favorite streamer but you can’t quite see what their build looks like or what their characters are doing. Instead of tiny little corner battle cams that don’t really help much, you can simply look at your own coffee table and see the action as it happens from whatever angle you like! It’ll be like you’re sitting at the table with them! We’re working on not only networking with your players for your games but also providing for your games to be streamed in AR to anyone who wants to watch on their own tabletops!
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
In thinking about streaming compatibility, it would be a headache for a streamer to make their terrain builds at home, and then have to build them from scratch in a digital space with asset libraries different from what they have IRL.
We’re hoping that you build your terrain and maps in ARcana! This will allow you to share them and stream them to your audience so they can watch the action unfurl on their own tabletops in real time from any angle they choose. See the above question for more
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
I imagine with all the licensed products you've rendered, providing an easy means of 3D printing them is probably never going to happen. Am I right or wrong?
That’s an interesting question because that’s actually how this whole thing started. Our CEO wanted an easy way of laying out terrain and having it figure out how much needed to be printed. But once he got it into AR the magic really started happening and so we pivoted away from this. And yes, it is difficult from a licensing perspective but also for technical reasons as we are not using STLs in the end because they are way too heavy to work on mobile or in AR. But never say never.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
Do you ever plan on having your own proprietary modeling team to create your own terrain lines?
We are very happy with our partners and working with them to deliver the most realistic 3D terrain and minis you can find. We will be looking into creating items that don’t exist or that are in different categories that we are exploring.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
How much thought have you given to compatibility with wargaming, sci-fi sets, larger Games Workshop-esque models. etc?
While we’ve started with fantasy we’re very excited to extend into sci-fi, horror, urban and other genres. We’re huge fans of games such as Warhammer and Starfinder and are actively looking to bring more systems and games to our platform.
Last updated: April 07, 2022 12:10
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