Book of Travels – Official FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Technical

What are the system requirements for playing Book of Travels?

Minimum system requirements

• OS: Windows 7
• Processor: Intel Core i3, Ryzen 3
• Memory: 8 GB RAM
• Graphics: Nvidia GTX 780, Radeon RX 550
• DirectX: Version 9.0
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 6 GB available space

Recommended system requirements

• OS: Windows 10
• Processor: Intel Core i5, Ryzen 5
• Memory: 12 GB RAM
• Graphics: NVIDIA 970 GTX, Radeon RX 580
• DirectX: Version 9.0
• Network: Broadband Internet connection
• Storage: 6 GB available space

Will there be controller support?

• No plans for that as of today, but never say never.

What engine does the game use?

• Unity.

Is there combat or PVP?

• There is no PVP in Book of Travels. Combat is inspired by real-time table-top gaming, and is rare but impactful, usually only found off the beaten path. You can also Flee from a combat scenario at any time.

Can I play with my friend? Can I add new friends I make in the game?

• Yes, you will be able to spawn on the same location together if you choose the same Starting Area when creating a character. Otherwise, joining the same server and meeting up is still very do-able as you can see icons on the Map of players in the same zone/scene as you.

What languages will be supported?

• Currently English is the only supported language for Early Access. The team’s other TMO, Meadow, has over 15 supported languages so Book of Travels may filter them in over time.

“TMO?” How many players are there to a server?

• Currently the smaller Early Access map is 7 players, with numbers to be adjusted as metrics are measured and the map increases during development.

Is there really no text chat in this game?

• “Without our native tongue we’re freed from our familiar identity and can let other parts of our personality come to the fore.” Like Meadow, all player dialogue is done via pictures or symbols, similar to the gesticulations one has to use to portray things as a traveller in a foreign land. The team is very curious to see the metrics on what combinations are used over time, and the language and personality that can evolve from them. It’s worth noting that having dedicated areas to allow text chat (similar to Sky: Children of Light) has been discussed.

Is this a survival game? Is there permadeath?

• There is hunger that affects the Energy (health) bar, as well as environmental effects like night-time drowsiness and wetness. Once Energy reaches zero, 1 of 3 “Life Petals” is lost and you collapse and respawn nearby. If all Petals are lost, your character will die. Currently there is no way to revive from “ghost” form. There are some spells and teas that can provide Life Petal restoration.

Is there character customization?

• Character creation is roleplay centered, with lots of fill-in boxes to write your own Character Sheet’s story. You have selectable Personality Traits that give various passives (which can make for some hilarious or powerful combos when used with spells or teas!), you have Backgrounds, you have Starting Region which affects your intro story, and you have Forms, which are essentially Classes. These Forms have strict designs to differentiate them but “Costumes” will be available in later updates and DLCs to further customise their appearances. You also have accessories such as fans, pipes, walking sticks, etc. Companions such as children, spirits, and pets will also be available later in development!

Is there an end-game?

• There is no over-arching questline or end-game. The picture-book, diorama world of the game is yours to explore and write your own “book of travels” out of. Each map is crafted specifically to inspire exploration and curiosity. You cannot talk to NPCs the traditional RPG way but they will often provide hints, inspirations, or clues of nearby events, things certain nearby citizens may seek, and lore or history to help you uncover the mysteries of the land. Chapters will be added to the game over time, adding more culture and story to unveil, as well as more Forms, spells, locations, etc

What do I do in Book of Travels?

• Exploring and forging your own path, making your own internal roleplay while discovering the world’s story bit by bit. Trade (there is no currency in Book of Travels) whether for food just to get by, or for new abilities, Cook, fish, brew buff-providing teas, explore ruins or dungeons(?), ride the trains and boats, or meet the various strange spirits and Sefra. Some map Events are static, some are randomised entirely to the point that you could potentially be the only person to encounter it that day, that year, or perhaps ever.

• “Endeavours” are also a core gameplay loop, similar to the Obelisks in Meadow. They can have Physical, Mystical, Mechanical, or Social requirements, some that can be done solo and others that may need a varied co-op Party. (Spells and teas can also help fill some of those stat “slots”.) These can reward anything from items, to knowledge, to new Skill cards.

Are there any accessibility options?

• Not at launch, but this is something we have every intention of making an effort on adding in the future. We’d love for you to tell us what kind of options you think are needed, that’s exactly the kind of thing that we’re doing Early Access for.

Is this an online only game?

• Yes, you’ll need an internet connection to connect to the game servers. In other words, you won’t be able to play Book of Travels offline.

How do I get my in-game rewards from backing?

• Enter the Account Code from Backerkit into the Account Settings at the Main Menu. Then, when in-game you can find your item(s) at Train Station lockers (such as the ones in Crossings or Verve Junction.) If they do not appear, try re-logging or switching servers. These items are sent retroactively, so you don’t need to make a new character to get them.

Is the game online-only and does it have a subscription cost?

• There is no subscription to play. Currently it is online-only with at least 5 years of planned update support. Devs have shown interest in making it offline-compatible if it’s heavily requested.

Will there be controller support?

• Point-and-click is the main movement style, but more WASD and controller support is planned somewhere down the line.

Release, Platforms and Getting Started

What platforms are Book of Travels available on?

• PC, Mac and Linux.

Will Book of Travels come to consoles?

• Right now there’s no plan for that, as we’re laser focused on making the game as good as it can be on Steam. But we’re not ruling anything out!

I’ve put in my Account Code but I can’t find my knapsack. Where is it?

• You should be able to find it in the Train Master’s chest.

Mechanics

How do I save my game?

• Book of Travels is an online game and it saves your progress continuously, no manual saving is needed.

Can players trade items with one another?

• Not directly. This is something we want to be very cautious about since we don’t want to mess with game balance. In the future we’d like to implement some kind of gifting system that would let players give things through a special ritual.

Can players battle each other in-game?

• No. Book of Travels is a serene game and we don’t want “trolling” or “griefing” in it.

How do players communicate with each other in-game? Is there text or voice chat?

• There is no text or voice chat, no. Players will communicate with a diverse set of emotes that will grow during the course of their adventures. We saw great success with this system in our game Meadow, where players quickly started to develop their own language that transcends any cultural barriers we have in the real world. Also, this way we eliminate any potential verbal harassment. For even more context, read Helen’s post A Living Language for Braided Shore.

Can your character die in Book of Travels?

• Yes, your character can die in Book of Travels. Exactly what happens will remain undisclosed.

How does the inventory system work?

• You’ll have a modest amount of inventory slots initially. You’ll get more as you find and equip better bags. Clothes provide less physical protection than armor, but have more pockets. This is the kind of balancing act the player will have to consider.

Cost and Pricing

How much will the game cost?

• Book of Travels will cost you around $30, depending on your regional pricing.
• Some online RPGs operate on a subscription fee, will there be some kind of subscription fee to play Book of Travels?
• No! You buy the game once and that’s it. There will be some DLC content available to buy along the way (after all we need to support the studio so we can continue to expand the world) but our plan doesn’t include pricing up large or vital updates, so players of all walks of life should be able to enjoy Book of Travels on any budget.