The Rise of Solo Tabletop Role-Playing Games
The most challenging aspect of any tabletop game is often finding a group of people to play with. However, recent years have seen a surge in solo tabletop role-playing games, catering to those who prefer to embark on adventures alone. Various factors such as the logistics of organizing a group and the influx of high-quality indie TTRPGs have contributed to this renaissance of solo tabletop gaming.
The Evolution of Solo Tabletop Gaming
While the concept of solo tabletop gaming is not entirely new, it gained momentum with wargames in the ’80s. Over the years, standalone TTRPGs like Thousand Year Old Vampire, Ironsworn, The Wretched, and Alone Among the Stars paved the way for solitary tabletop RPG experiences. The COVID-19 pandemic further fueled the popularity of solo tabletop gaming, offering players a chance to enjoy gaming experiences on their own terms.
The Growing Demand for Solo Play
In recent years, the demand for solo tabletop role-playing games has only continued to increase. At events like PAX Unplugged, there has been a noticeable uptick in interest for solo role-playing games. Tabletop gamers are now looking for ways to enjoy gaming experiences independently, especially as they may struggle to find groups to play with. To accommodate this shift, game designers have started incorporating solo play options into their games, either as supplementary rulesets or integral components of the base game.
Examples of Games with Solo Rules
Several games have successfully integrated solo rules into their gameplay mechanics to cater to the growing demand for solo tabletop gaming. For instance, Swedish games studio Free League Publishing introduced solo rules for its Nordic Horror RPG Vaesen in 2023. This version of the game provides players with a step-by-step guide to unraveling mysteries using cards and random tables.
Another example is HUNT(er/ed), a game by Meghan Cross and Dillin Apelyan that allows players to engage in solo play by exploring themes of monstrosity and acceptance. Through innovative gameplay mechanics and card-based prompts, the solo iteration of HUNT(er/ed) offers a compelling gaming experience for solo players.
Additionally, The Zone, a play-to-lose horror game inspired by Jeff VanderMeer’s Annihilation, focuses entirely on solo play. With card-based prompts guiding players through a mysterious and dangerous zone, The Zone offers a unique solo gaming experience where players must navigate challenging scenarios to survive.