Games and Learning

Iron Atlas app aims to connect the in-person reality of role-playing games with the power of digital tools and mobile.

A new Kickstarter campaign from Lifeform Entertainment aims to develop a digital system that helps move the role-playing games of yore into the mobile and digital space.

“Wouldn’t it be great to have an app loaded with content and streamlined tools when running or playing role-playing games to let you focus on what’s really important: kicking in the door, killing the monster and taking its stuff?” Lifeform’s Roger Walco asks in the Kickstarter video.

The campaign is the latest indication that the worlds of physical games and digital games continue to merge as players demand new forms of play that use and mix technology into game playing.

“It’s kind of like Kindle or iTunes for role-playing games,” Roger Walco says in the Kickstarter video.

The project, Iron Atlas, is the in the middle of its campaign and aims to raise a hefty $75,000 to fund the full development and launch of the application.

The effort also raises important questions for those considering migrating tactile, real-world games into a mixed off- and online world.

First, the developers of Iron Atlas have spent months, if not years, negotiating deals with the makers of the physical games to gain access to the maps, miniatures and rules needed to create a digital download store of those games. This is no small feat and trying to replicate in the education space would be tricky given the business models of many o those publishers.

Second, finding a digital platform that works on enough devices to create a viable market is also a challenge. The makers of Iron Atlas have focused on many ensuring the visual elements of the physical games exist in the mobile system and that means targeting tablets and other devices with those capabilities – mainly iOS and some Android devices.

The developers have spent years neogtiating to gain access to the physical games so the digital one can be true to the original.

Lastly, they are tackling the trick of trying to create an app that allows for in-person, multiplayer games.

“We’re taking the social component of gaming to heart with Iron Atlas. Let’s face it, when you want to play an RPG with your friends, you want to game with your friends,” the Lifeform folks say. “There, in the same room. The design of Iron Atlas focuses on this ‘in-person’ style of play, with room to include remote connectivity for your buddies that can’t make it to the session.”

As teacher have told us, many classrooms are using games in small groups or individually. Iron Atlas is an interesting tool to watch for those developers considering bringing the in-person, full class experience together.

Board games have become a major subsection of the game economy and we will be sharing some of their work from time to time that help those building all forms of educational and learning games.