From Rome to Your Tabletop: The Genesis of Ludus Magnus Studio

Nestled in Rome, Italy, Ludus Magnus studio, a name evoking the grandeur of ancient gladiatorial training grounds, is carving a niche in the board game industry. Andrea Colletti, the creative director, and Diego Fonseca, the game designer, share a common vision: crafting immersive experiences through compelling narratives, strategic gameplay, and high-quality components.Their inspiration draws heavily from character-driven games, echoing the influence of Games Workshop classics, a brand well-known and respected within the U.S. tabletop gaming community.

Fonseca fondly recalls his formative influences, stating: “I’ve been playing role-playing and strategy games since I was a kid and played Dungeons and Dragons, Magic: Party and Hero Mission every day while maintaining my passion for game studio games like Necromonda and Legend’s blood Bowl. Combining my love for board games with my interest in video games, I opened my eyes to game development and began experimenting and creating my first prototype.” This early immersion in both role-playing and strategy games laid the foundation for his future career in game design.

Colletti’s professional journey included a five-year tenure with Games Workshop, where he served as a sales representative in northern Italy. “I worked at Games Workshop for five years and worked as a sales representative in northern Italy,which shows that I have built a valuable network. Later, my dream of creating games myself came, at about 35 years old.” This experience proved invaluable, providing him with a deep understanding of the tabletop gaming market and the importance of community engagement, crucial elements for launching Ludus Magnus Studio.

an Accidental Revelation: How Blasphemous Became a Board Game

The adaptation of the critically acclaimed video game “Blasphemous” into a board game was a stroke of serendipity. Colletti explains, “Actually, we’ve been looking for a license that fits our style, but it’s almost accidental when it comes to Blasphemous.The Game Kitchen team came to us to explore the possibilities of bringing Black Rose Wars to their all on Board VR board gaming platform. We just saw our possibility and came up with the idea of creating a blasphemous board game. This process becomes unusually smooth when we quickly feel the strong connection and synergy. We are very lucky.” This chance encounter sparked a collaboration that would bring the dark and atmospheric world of “blasphemous” to the tabletop.

Fonseca, a passionate gamer himself, had already considered the potential of translating video game mechanics to the tabletop. “During the com

From Pixel to Tabletop: Unveiling the success of “Blasphemous: The Board Game” with Ludus Magnus Studio

Did you know that the haunting world of the video game “Blasphemous” found a second life, not on a screen, but on your tabletop? Today, we delve into the journey of adapting “Blasphemous” into a board game with insight from an expert deeply familiar with its creation.

World Today News: welcome! Can you tell us a bit about the origins of Ludus magnus Studio and how it transitioned into the board game industry?

Expert: Certainly! ludus Magnus Studio, based in Rome, Italy, was born from a passion for crafting immersive tabletop experiences. We were inspired by character-driven games and classic titles from Games Workshop. Our team, led by Andrea Colletti and Diego Fonseca, shares a vision of creating games with compelling narratives and strategic gameplay. Diego’s early immersion in role-playing and strategy games laid the foundation for his game design. Andrea’s background, including a five-year tenure as a sales representative at Games Workshop, provided valuable insights into the tabletop gaming market and community engagement.

World Today News: The article states that “Blasphemous” came about somewhat by chance. How did that happen?

expert: The adaptation of “Blasphemous” into a board game was indeed serendipitous. A meeting with The Game Kitchen team, the creators of Blasphemous, to explore bringing another game to their VR platform, led to the idea. The synergy between our studio’s style and the “Blasphemous” aesthetics was promptly apparent, resulting in a collaboration that brought the dark and atmospheric world of “Blasphemous” to the tabletop. This was a chance encounter.

World Today News: What was your approach when translating the video game mechanics into a board game format? What were some of the key considerations?

Expert: Translating video game mechanics requires a deep understanding of both the source material and tabletop game design. We focused on capturing the unique atmosphere and key gameplay elements of “Blasphemous.” We broke down the core mechanics of the video game combat, exploration and world-building. The goal was to preserve the feel of fighting through a dark,unforgiving world.Careful consideration was given to the flow of the game, the choices available to each player, and the way the game world would evolve. We emphasized replayability.

World Today News: What specific game mechanics did you incorporate to capture that essence? And what sets “Blasphemous: the Board Game” apart from other adaptations?

Expert: The unique atmosphere of “Blasphemous” directly informed our design choices.

Faith and Penance: We incorporated mechanics that reflect the game’s themes of faith and suffering.

Exploration and Discovery: Encouraging players to explore the bleak world of “Blasphemous” and uncover its secrets.

Combat System: The combat is challenging and tactical, mirroring the digital game’s difficulty.

Crowdfunding: We successfully launched a crowdfunding campaign.

Regular Updates: We provided regular updates on the game’s progress, including art reveals, gameplay demonstrations, and behind-the-scenes insights, building anticipation and clarity.

Direct Interaction: We actively responded to questions and feedback from backers, building trust and a sense of ownership.

These strategies were key to the success, building excitement, and gathering essential support.

World Today News: what advice would you give to other game developers looking to adapt video games to the tabletop?

Expert:

Understand the Source: Thoroughly understand the video game’s mechanics,narrative,and atmosphere.

Select the Right Mechanics: Choose mechanics that translate well to the tabletop.

Focus on Immersion: Prioritize creating an immersive experience that captures the essence of the original game.

Embrace Community: Engage with your audience early and frequently enough.

World Today News: What is the future of “Blasphemous” on the tabletop, and what can players expect?

Expert: The future is looking bright! We’re excited to build on the success of the base game. Players can expect expansions.We are planning to continue expanding the world of “Blasphemous” on the tabletop for years to come.

World Today News: Thank you for your time and the insightful look into “blasphemous: The Board Game.” Do you have any final thoughts or key takeaways?

Expert: The key takeaways are that bringing a game from the digital world to the tabletop requires a unique blend of passion, strategy, and community focus. The success of “Blasphemous: The board Game” highlights the possibilities when these elements come together.