Village Guard is By the Book Games’ most ambitious project yet, currently in development. Mechanically, this tabletop strategy RPG features a co-op story campaign, buildable maps, competitive PvP matches, and unlockable cards, all set in the early Middle Ages. It captures the intense, action-packed thrill of high-stakes combat while avoiding the overcomplicated stats and rules that burden other strategy games.

Missionally, Village Guard is part of By the Book Games’ larger vision to reimagine the role games can play in the lives of both Christians and non-Christians. The voice-acted co-op campaign has an honest, emotional focus on suffering, experienced through the vantage point of a blacksmith, priest, mother, and alcoholic. It isn’t preachy. It’s just a different narrative from those typically presented in the gaming community—one that explores life’s big questions without belittling or ignoring the message of Christ. The biblical worldview relationally presented through the priest in the story is compelling, organic, and complimentary to the game’s overall experience. That means anyone can pick up a copy without thinking “Oh, this is just a Christian game.”

While the subtle but pervasive presence of the gospel in Village Guard is part of its value, optional add-ons will enable “Table Groups” to discuss topics raised in the story campaign more deeply. Youth groups, for instance, can form Village Guard teams, playing and bonding one night a week, then meeting with their team at church for Table Group another night, addressing what the Bible says about suffering on a teenage level. Adults seeking opportunities to witness can complete the story campaign with non-believers and offer Table Group discussions for those who became interested in exploring further. Families can incorporate Table Group discussions into their dinner conversations after playing the game together over weekends.

Village Guard is an exciting next step towards the future of By the Book Games. The greater the impact of these games, the more resources can be devoted to creating them, and your support is the driving factor in getting there! With enough momentum, a planned video game version of Village Guard can be developed to expand the reach of its story and message.

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