Critical Role: An Interactive Hybrid Gameboard for Tabletop Role Playing Games

Abstract

Although players and developers frequently debate immersion and the effects of digital augmentation in board games, there is little study in this field. Through a brand-new tabletop role-playing board game, this thesis seeks to increase the player experience. The experience was developed using information gathered through player observation during numerous game sessions. The resulting research reveals that board game players talk about immersion in terms of being drawn into the game's difficulty and becoming fully immersed in the virtual world it generates. Based on the study and the subsequent Play testing of the suggested modifications, a new experience was created. Players reported that the immersive aspects, such as live feedback, sound, and light, improved their role-playing and world-building experiences, which was a successful outcome. We can draw the conclusion that this research will help shape the creation of upcoming new-generation board games.