One More Multiverse: New launch challenges definition of tabletop roleplaying

One More Multiverse launched yesterday, and Multiverse Inc is accepting Discord members and is in closed beta testing.

In the pandemic and even before that, we’re used to virtual tabletops blurring the line between computer roleplaying games and tabletop roleplaying games due to the rise of actual play streaming. One More Multiverse takes that even further, insisting it’s for tabletop RPGs but, in doing so, challenging the very definition of tabletop roleplaying.

As the trailer shows, One More Multiverse creates a JRPG style world in a 2.5D environment with health metres above monsters and shops to visit. As it implies, this is all the creation of a GM guiding a party through their adventure.

So, how much of this is ‘tabletop’? Is it merely the presence of the human agent in the appointed GM? Is One More Multiverse a recut and evolution of the virtual tabletop? Or is this a user-generated multi-player computer game?

Thariq Shihipair, CEO and co-founder, told Bleeding Cool;

Tabletop RPGs are all about having a shared storytelling experience and building a world together, and we want One More Multiverse to help make it easy to create and dive into those stories.

We also want One More Multiverse to be welcoming to indie creators; whether they’re mapmakers, avatar designers, artists, writers, or adventure builders, we will have room for everyone to build and play.”

Listeners of Geek Native’s Audio EXP will recognise this. The overlap between VTT and marketplaces is important for any game company’s plans to build a subscription model that appeals to roleplayers.

One More Multiverse is already signalling that it understands the changing economy around tabletop games. One screengrab shows how the platform integrates with Twitch, which encourages audience participation and, therefore, benefits the streamer.

The platform is also taking safety seriously, as there is this interaction element, and it will come with safety tools.

One More Multiverse is expected to transition from beta testing to a full release by Q3 this year, which is just a few months away.