Is "Twisty Little Passages" a book?
Yes. TLP is a real, physical book with full-color, fully-illustrated, glossy laminate pages.
You play by drawing directly on the pages with a fine-tipped dry-erase marker.
Last updated: May 14, 2019 05:44
Where did we come up with the idea for a dungeon crawl puzzle book?
Many of us have enjoyed reading choose-your-own-path stories and playing solo RPG adventure books.
These go through a story and may involve some dice rolls as you play out the narrative in your mind. We are unaware of any hand-crafted RPG-based maze or puzzle books and would like to fill that creative gap.
This book is a unique dungeon crawl puzzle experience for you to enjoy.
Last updated: May 14, 2019 05:44
Why is a physical book most effective?
Many of us can remember losing ourselves for hours in clever maze and puzzle books, as well as delving into illustrated RPG manuals with gorgeous maps and illustrations.
We want to provide a completely unique experience that combines the mental engagement of mazes, and the challenge and delight of solving puzzles, with the fun and allure of dungeon crawl campaigns and fantasy settings.
The levels and puzzles have been illustrated, designed and laid out with a physical book in mind. This Kickstarter project was set up to make the highest quality print version possible. Illustrations are being drawn to size to work best with the physical book.
In addition, the best, most effortless play experience is with a fine-tipped dry-erase pen, drawing directly on the laminated pages.
Last updated: June 01, 2019 12:54
Who is the target audience for this book?
This experience is meant for gamers and puzzle fans, best for ages twelve and up. Parents can play together with children and groups can put their heads together to solve puzzles as a team. That’s not to say this is a kiddie book! These puzzles are serious mind benders designed for adult gamers and puzzle fans first and foremost, while kids can have fun playing them too.
Our goal is to provide satisfying mental challenges in a variety of engaging fantasy settings, especially for those who love both puzzle solving and have fun with pencil-and-paper gaming.
Last updated: May 14, 2019 19:31
How much content is in the book?
There are 27 puzzle areas in the base material and unlocked stretch goals.
The introductory puzzles demoed from the first chapter are about 5% or less of the total play time. Later puzzles become much more involved and complex, and there is a lot more content per puzzle in all the remaining areas. Based on group playtest sessions and tester feedback from private sessions, a player will get to enjoy playing through the entire book for around 15-30 hours in all.
Last updated: June 12, 2019 22:16
What do I do if I cannot solve a puzzle?
We are providing a bonus section with spoiler-proof progressive hints in the back of the book, plus a section with full solutions to confirm your playthrough, or to give yourself more of a nudge in starting to solve a particularly challenging puzzle.
Last updated: May 14, 2019 19:31
Can I skip a puzzle?
Yes, you may skip any puzzle you cannot solve and move onto the next one, though elements and mechanics build on one another, and skills you gain in earlier puzzles may come in handy for solving later puzzles.
Last updated: May 14, 2019 19:31
Do I need anything else to play?
A fine-tipped dry-erase pen lets you play through each area by drawing right in the book on its wipeable laminate pages. Many already have dry-erase pens on hand, and you are welcome to use your favorite pens to play.
You can also purchase pens as part of your campaign reward by adding them to your pledge as an add-on order via BackerKit, our post-campaign pledge manager, following the campaign. We will have them shipped to you at the time rewards are sent out.
For those in the US and many other countries, discount and “dollar” stores are everywhere, and it’s easy to grab yourself a pack of dry-erase markers for just $1.
We recommend ProMarx and Expo markers as providing the best overall quality while also being easy to clean off the page even long after play.
See also, for example, many good products available here: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=promarx+dry+erase+markers
Using any type of marker besides dry-erase pens is not recommended and could mar the book. Dry-erase crayons is another viable option if you want to go that route.
Last updated: May 14, 2019 19:31
How do you determine shipping cost?
Our goal is to provide you the best overall value, with customs- and VAT-friendly shipping, at the lowest price for you.
We are participating in an emerging trend to provide additional transparency in our campaign by separating out shipping fees from pledge amounts. This provides you, as a backer, multiple benefits:
- Kickstarter doesn’t end up taking a cut of shipping and customs rates that we must pay to deliver the product to you. This enables us to lower the overall price you pay.
- Ordering of multiple copies ends up much less expensive for you.
- We don’t attempt to use a “one size fits all” mentality, which in others’ past campaigns has been opaquely presented as the cost to, say, US backers, being used to subsidize the cost of international rewards.
- We don’t need to provide any markup on the shipping cost. We’re passing it directly through to you at cost.
What this means for you:
Rather than playing marketing games like setting a pledge level of $35, and then asking for an additional $6-12 for “cheap” international shipping, and offering “free” shipping in the US, we are setting a $25 pledge level with actual shipping rates attached (e.g., $8 in the US and about $15 for international). You will see this ends up at a lower overall price for you, especially in the case of ordering multiple copies, for which per-copy shipping rates are cut roughly in half or even better. We want you to feel you are being treated fairly and have the best options available.
We are arranging partnership with game delivery logistics hubs (e.g., Starlit Logistics, Happyshops, Meeple Logistics, and Unicorn Games) for US and international shipments. They each provide competitive pick-and-pack rates and they know how to ship books and games without having them damaged in transit. They allow us to provide friendly shipping in many countries so our backers don’t have to worry about VAT and customs fees.
Unfortunately, this coverage does not include ALL countries. We are not a logistics company, and we would rather spend our time on the creative aspects of making games. We will leave fulfillment to the pros, who are improving and extending their services every year!
Last updated: June 01, 2019 07:15
Shipping restrictions
We will not ship to Russia, the Ukraine and certain places in Asia, South America and the rest of the world where shipping is problematic, except for specially-made arrangements wherein the Backer takes the risk involved in receiving the package.
That is, to ship to one of these regions, you must explicitly agree to take on the risk of any shipping issues that may arise. This agreement will be received from you by our pledge manager after the campaign.
Alternatively, you may back the print-and-play version of Twisty Little Passages to receive a digital copy.
Last updated: June 01, 2019 12:44
In what language is Twisty Little Passages written?
English.
Last updated: June 01, 2019 07:13
Are there any considerations if color-blind?
Twisty Little Passages is color-blind friendly.
Last updated: June 01, 2019 07:13
Can I buy additional copies of TLP after the Kickstarter?
Yes, you can do so by selecting any pledge that unlocks the pledge manager (BackerKit). Following successful campaign completion, you will then be able to order additional copies through BackerKit, prior to printing.
For multiple copies, shipping will be discounted based on bulk rate pricing to your destination, depending on the number of copies you will receive. The more copies you order, the less expensive the per-unit shipping rate will be.
Last updated: June 01, 2019 12:52
Is there a print-and-play (PnP) option?
The recommended best experience for playing Twisty Little Passages is in physical book form with a dry-erase pen.
If you prefer a PnP option, we have made a digital pledge level available, which will be fulfilled via DriveThruRPG.
All backers receiving a physical book will also receive a free digital copy.
Last updated: June 12, 2019 22:18
Where did the title "Twisty Little Passages" come from?
“Twisty Little Passages” is a reference to a (the) classic text adventure game “Adventure”, which has versions that also go by other names. (Yes, the twisty little passages are all alike and all different. :) )
Last updated: June 01, 2019 12:45
Where can I see the other work you've done?
We’re the creators of the acclaimed “Deadly Rooms of Death” (DROD) puzzle dungeon crawl adventure game franchise on PC and Mac. Check out CaravelGames.com and gaming portals like Steam and GOG to find our games.
Last updated: June 01, 2019 12:45
What is BackerKit?
BackerKit is a service that crowdfunded project creators use to keep track of hundreds to tens of thousands of backers—from shipping details, pledge levels, preferences and quantities, whether they have paid or had their card declined, special notes, and everything in between!
The BackerKit software and support team is independent from the campaign’s project team—BackerKit does not handle the actual reward shipping. For more information about the preparation or delivery status of your rewards, please check the project's updates page.
How does BackerKit work?
After the campaign ends, the project creator will send you an email with a unique link to your survey. You can check out a walkthrough of the process here.
I never received my invitation. How do I complete the survey?
The most common reasons for not receiving a survey email is that you may be checking an email inbox different from the email address you used to sign up with Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account, or it may be caught in your spam filter.
Confirm that the email address you are searching matches the email address tied to your Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Tilt Pro account. If that doesn’t work, then try checking your spam, junk or promotions folders. You can also search for "backerkit” in your inbox.
To resend the survey to yourself, visit the project page and input the email address associated with your Kickstarter, Indiegogo or Tilt Pro account.
How do I update my shipping address?
BackerKit allows you to update your shipping address until the shipping addresses are locked by the project creator. To update your address, go back to your BackerKit survey by inputting your email here.
When will my order be shipped, charged or locked?
That is handled directly by the project creator. BackerKit functions independently of the project itself, so we do not have control of their physical shipping timeline. If you want to check on the project’s status, we recommend reading over the project's updates page.
I completed the survey, but haven't received my rewards yet. When will they arrive?
As BackerKit does not actually handle any rewards or shipping, the best way to stay updated on the shipping timeline would be to check out the project's updates page.