Demiplane (company) explained

Demiplane
Industry:Tabletop role-playing games
Founders:Peter Romenesko
Travis Frederick
Hq Location City:Green Bay, Wisconsin[1]
Products:Nexus
Parent:Roll20

Demiplane is a company that creates digital toolsets for playing tabletop role-playing games which can be used as an aid to playing in person or remotely online. The Demiplane platform's main services are game matchmaking, game hosting and licensed content via the Nexus digital toolset. Nexus provides access to digital rulebooks, adventures, and other supplements; it also provides digital tools like a character builder and character sheets. The platform was launched in 2020; early access to Nexus launched in 2021. In June 2024, the company was acquired by the virtual tabletop (VTT) company Roll20.

The company has also produced and broadcast several web series on their official Twitch and YouTube channels. This includes the ongoing actual play web series Children of Éarte created and run by Deborah Ann Woll which launched in March 2022.

History

Origins

In 2019, Demiplane was founded by Peter Romenesko and Travis Frederick with the platform launching officially in 2020.[2] Romenesko and Frederick grew up in the Lake Geneva area playing tabletop games together "and eventually re-united to build Demiplane". Demiplane acts as a platform for various tabletop role-playing game tools such as game hosting and matchmaking, shared game journals, and digital compendiums for licensed games.[3] The company has received funding from TitletownTech[4] [1] and uses TitletownTech's startup incubator office space.[5] [6]

In March 2021, Adam Bradford – founder of D&D Beyond – joined the company as the Chief Development Officer.[7] From October to December 2021, Demiplane announced three partnerships for their new Nexus digital toolset: Pathfinder Nexus with Paizo,[8] World of Darkness Nexus (for games such as and Werewolf: the Apocalypse) with Paradox Interactive,[9] and Free League Nexus with Free League Publishing.[10] An early access version of Pathfinder Nexus, titled Pathfinder Primer, was launched at the time of the announcement.[11] Nexus has been called the "equivalent to digital toolset D&D Beyond" for other role-playing games.

In April 2022, Demiplane announced that they will host the new Marvel tabletop role-playing game titled Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game NEXUS with the digital playtest rulebook and early access given to users who pre-order the game.[12] [13] In June 2022, early access for Vampire: The Masquerade Nexus was launched. This is the first Demiplane toolset to include digital/physical bundles for a roleplaying game. Demiplane also announced that they are developing Nexus support for the World of Darkness game .[14] [15] In October 2022, Magpie Games announced that early access for Avatar Legends Nexus, Demiplane's digital toolset , was launching that month.[16]

In February 2023, Demiplane announced the upcoming 5E Nexus which will support third-party Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition (D&D) publishers who use the D&D 5.1 System Reference Document; this announcement included "pre-launch" tools such as 5E group matchmaking and group creation. A rule compendium, a digital reader, and a character builder are scheduled to be released in waves over 2023.[17] Bradford said the intent at the moment was not to partner with Wizards of the Coast on official D&D products.[18] In September 2023, early access for 5E Nexus launched with third party sourcebooks such as Tal'Dorei Reborn by Darrington Press, Tome of Beasts 1 & 2 by Kobold Press and Grim Hollow: The Monster Grimoire by Ghostfire Games.[19] [20] [21] In October 2023, digital character tools officially launched for Vampire: The Masquerade.[22] [23] In February 2024, full access to Alien RPG Nexus for Free League's is scheduled to launch.[24]

Acquisition by Roll20

In June 2024, it was announced that the virtual tabletop (VTT) company Roll20 had acquired Demiplane.[25] [26] Roll20 CEO Ankit Lal stated: "We want to make it as easy as possible for you to build your first character, to get into your first game, to try out playing TTRPGs. And we think the combination of the Roll20 VTT and the Demiplane character sheet ecosystem is going to do that". Christian Hoffer of ComicBook.com reported that this acquisition "won't have any immediate impact on users of either platform, but Demiplane CEO Peter Romenesko noted that the merged companies will look to close the difference between their two platforms very quickly". Roll20 stated that they "don’t plan on making any changes to the 5e Nexus on Demiplane".

J. R. Zambrano, for Bell of Lost Souls, commented that "it seems that an era of consolidation is on the way as players like WotC and Roll20 move to consolidate their powerbases". It was also announced that due to the merger between Roll20 and Demiplane, Adam Bradford would be leaving the company. Bradford then announced that he would join SmiteWorks, which operates the virtual tabletop Fantasy Grounds, as their new Chief Development Officer.[27]

Toolsets

Demiplane's content and game management system is primarily browser-based, and is fully functional on both mobile and desktop browsers.[28]

Game matchmaking

Demiplane provides a free matchmaking service for over 180 roleplaying games; it is modeled on the matchmaking services offered in online multiplayer video games. Users can select various attributes such as group size and game style/themes.[29] These user selections go into an algorithm to match groups together which includes the option of chat discussion to review expectations with the Game Master. After games, players and Game Masters can rate each other; other users can see these ratings during future matchmaking.

Game hosting

Demiplane's free game hosting service provides text and video chats for users in a game; this feature also provides breakout rooms for Game Masters to use to "reveal secrets to specific players". The platform provides tools for hosted games such as dice rolling, "shared and searchable journals", and task/inventory tracking. Demiplane has built in roleplaying game safety tools such as a raise hand button which anonymously flags to the Game Master that a player feels the game is going outside of pre-determined boundaries. In 2021, Frederick stated that Demiplane isn't intended as a virtual tabletop (VTT) platform or to compete with VTT companies such as Fantasy Grounds and Roll20. Instead, Frederick sees Demiplane as "sideways compatible" with VTT platforms as users can launch VTTs "from within Demiplane".

Game Masters also have the option to host paid game sessions on Demiplane by setting the cost per player and players have the option to provide tips.[30] Demiplane facilitates payment – Game Masters receive 95% of the cost per player & tips; players are charged a 5.5% fee (based on the cost per player and on tips) by Demiplane.

Nexus

Customers can use a specific game's Nexus by purchasing access to licensed content in Demiplane's marketplace. Nexus provides access to a digital reader for role-playing game rulebooks, compendium content, and character sheets for licensed games. The compendium content is a digital version of the book (as HTML, not a PDF); it includes cross-links and tooltips for game rules mentioned in the text. Access to the book's options in the rest of Nexus allows purchased content to be used with the character builder and other tools. It can also provide additional features to hosted games.

Users can purchase access to games such as:[31] Pathfinder Second Edition, the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, Vampire: The Masquerade 5th Edition, the ,[32] Mutant: Year Zero,[33] Avatar Legends: The Roleplaying Game, ,[34] and Candela Obscura.[35]

Following the purchase of Demiplane, Roll20 began to support cross-platform access so that content unlocked on one platform would be automatically unlocked on the other platform., Paizo, Darrington Press, Kobold Press, and Renegade Game Studio have granted permission for cross-platform access to their products.[36]

Streaming shows

The company has also produced and broadcast the following shows on their official Twitch and YouTube channels:

Notes and References

  1. Web site: June 16, 2022 . Green Bay business catches attention of role-playing gamers . subscription . June 29, 2022 . Green Bay Press-Gazette.
  2. Web site: March 4, 2021 . Demiplane Hires D&D Beyond Founder Adam Bradford . June 29, 2022 . . en.
  3. Web site: 2021-05-31 . Demiplane's plan to make the world a better place with virtual tabletop gaming tools . 2022-06-29 . VentureBeat . en-US.
  4. Web site: June 9, 2022 . New North Summit brings best in business together . June 29, 2022 . . en.
  5. Web site: 2020-08-21 . TitletownTech startups navigate challenges of pandemic . 2022-06-29 . WGBA . en.
  6. Web site: Portfolio . 2022-06-29 . TitletownTech . en.
  7. Web site: A Q&A with Adam Bradford About Moving to Demiplane . 2022-06-29 . GeekTyrant . 5 March 2021 . en-US.
  8. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . 2021-10-26 . Paizo Partners With Demiplane To Launch Pathfinder Nexus . 2022-06-29 . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . en.
  9. Web site: November 16, 2021 . World of Darkness Nexus Announced, Adds Digital Toolset to Vampire: The Masquerade and Other Games . June 29, 2022 . . en.
  10. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . 2021-12-19 . Demiplane Partners With Free League To Launch Free League Nexus . 2022-06-29 . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . en.
  11. Web site: 2021-10-27 . Pathfinder Nexus, the rival RPG's equivalent to D&D Beyond, is coming next year . 2022-06-29 . Dicebreaker . en.
  12. Web site: Sheehan . Gavin . 2022-04-12 . Demiplane Announces New Marvel Multiverse Tabletop RPG . 2022-06-29 . Bleeding Cool News And Rumors . en.
  13. Web site: April 12, 2022 . Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game Digital Toolset Announced . June 29, 2022 . . en.
  14. Web site: June 28, 2022 . Vampire: The Masquerade Nexus Announced With Book and Digital Combos Available . June 29, 2022 . . en.
  15. Web site: 2022-06-28 . Vampire: The Masquerade's answer to D&D Beyond launches into early access . 2022-06-29 . Dicebreaker . en.
  16. Web site: October 12, 2022 . Magpie Games Taps Demiplane as Official 'Avatar Legends RPG' Online Digital Toolset Provider . February 14, 2023 . . en.
  17. Web site: February 14, 2023 . Demiplane Announces 5E Nexus, Adds Digital Tools for Third-Party Dungeons & Dragons Publishers . February 14, 2023 . . en.
  18. Web site: February 14, 2023 . Demiplane's new 5E digital toolset drops D&D for independent tabletop RPG publishers . February 15, 2023 . . en.
  19. Web site: 5E Nexus Early Access . 2023-09-08 . Demiplane . Product page.
  20. Web site: September 6, 2023 . Tal'Dorei Reborn on Demiplane & Updated Rulebook for Queen by Midnight! . September 8, 2023 . Darrington Press . en-US . Press release.
  21. Demiplane . DemiplaneRPG . 1699137502349521327 . September 5, 2023 . 1/ Our new 5e NEXUS is live NOW with books from @koboldpress, @ghostfireg & @CriticalRole/@DarringtonPress. To celebrate, we're hosting a giveaway! Keep reading or visit http://demiplane.com to learn more. #ttrpg #5e #fifthedition #criticalrole #tov #grimhollow [IMAGE]. September 8, 2023 .
  22. The Character Builder Taking On D&D Beyond And Taking Over TTRPGs! . The Character Sheet . . October 11, 2023 . . October 11, 2023.
  23. Web site: Wieland . Rob . October 10, 2023 . Vampire: The Masquerade Nexus Adds A Digital Character Builder . October 11, 2023 . Forbes . en.
  24. Web site: Jarvis . Matt . February 16, 2024 . Alien RPG's answer to D&D Beyond gets a full release later this month . February 18, 2024 . . en.
  25. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . June 4, 2024 . Roll20 Announces Purchase of Demiplane (Exclusive) . June 4, 2024 . . en.
  26. Web site: Zambrano . J. R. . June 4, 2024 . Roll20 Purchases Demiplane in an Era of Consolidation . June 4, 2024 . Bell of Lost Souls . en.
  27. Web site: Hoffer . Christian . June 4, 2024 . Adam Bradford, Former D&D Beyond Founder, Joins SmiteWorks as Chief Development Officer . June 4, 2024 . Gaming . en.
  28. Web site: Demiplane - Tabletop Roleplaying Digital Tools, Content, & Services . 2022-06-29 . Demiplane . en.
  29. Web site: Solorzano . Sergio . 2021-03-06 . Demiplane Aims To Improve The Online TTRPG Experience By Borrowing From Video Games . 2022-06-29 . TheGamer . en-US.
  30. Web site: 2020 . Paid Adventure Basics . June 29, 2022 . Demiplane Support Center.
  31. Web site: Demiplane - What's New . 2022-06-29 . Demiplane . en.
  32. Web site: ALIEN RPG Nexus - Digital TTRPG Toolset . 2023-02-14 . Demiplane.
  33. Web site: Mutant: Year Zero Nexus - Digital TTRPG Toolset . 2023-02-14 . Demiplane.
  34. Web site: Hunter: The Reckoning Nexus - Digital TTRPG Toolset . 2023-02-14 . Demiplane.
  35. Web site: November 9, 2023 . Candela Obscura Nexus Announced by Demiplane . November 10, 2023 . . en.
  36. Web site: Reimus . Clay . May 30, 2024 . Roll20 acquires Demiplane! . June 4, 2024 . Roll20 Blog . en-US . Press release.
  37. Heroes of Legend . June 29, 2022. Heroes of the Planes . Demiplane . December 13, 2021 . 37.
  38. Episode 1 with Anjali Bhimani . June 29, 2022. Demiplanar . Demiplane . October 4, 2021 . 1.
  39. Episode 11 with Vee Mus'e . June 29, 2022. Demiplanar . Demiplane . December 13, 2021 . 11.
  40. Rituals and Resolutions . June 29, 2022. Strixhaven CHAOS . Demiplane . March 7, 2022 . 8.
  41. Web site: February 22, 2022 . Daredevil Star Launches New Ongoing Dugeons & Dragons Show . February 23, 2022 . . en.
  42. Web site: Corbett . Noelle . 2022-03-07 . What to Know About Children of Éarte's Player Characters Before the Campaign . 2022-06-29 . CBR . en-US.
  43. Web site: February 23, 2022 . Daredevil actor Deborah Ann Woll to host a new D&D series . February 23, 2022 . Wargamer . en-US.
  44. Web site: September 29, 2023 . New Jersey Web Fest Hosts 3rd Annual Actual Play Awards . September 30, 2023 . The Fandomentals . en-us.
  45. 1575138437241389059. DemiplaneRPG. To celebrate the launch of the Mutant: Year Zero NEXUS yesterday, we're premiering our new show today! Come join us for the start of an incredible story tonight at 6pm Pacific! #TTRPG #actualplay #YearZeroEngine [LINK] [IMAGE]. Demiplane. Demiplane (company). September 28, 2022. February 14, 2023.