The Masque of the Red Death arrives on Kickstarter

Edgar Allen Poe's Masque of the Red Death,  from IDW Games, has arrived to Kickstarter. This is the first game featuring the stylistic art of Gris Grimly, best known for his line of darkly whimsical children's books, the game features his art throughout, and captures well the sinister tone of the story. Game design is by Adam Wyse (designer of Head of Mousehold), and the game has been in development at IDW for the past 2 years after it was a finalist for the 2015 Canadian Game Design Award.

"Players are nobles attending an extravagant masked ball while a plague ravages the country. Players are trying to do what nobles do – feast, dance, celebrate –become as popular as they can. But rumors swirl as the night goes on, and everyone feels oddly nervous each time the clock chimes. The nobles might be wise to spend some time listening to these rumors. It is becoming increasingly clear as midnight approaches that something sinister awaits. At midnight, a horrible figure in the guise of the Red Death appears at the masquerade! It stalks amongst the rooms of the abbey, killing the nobles it comes across. The most popular noble wins… but that only matters if you survive the night."

Masque of the Red Death is a 60-90 minute competitive deduction game for 4 to 7 players age 14 and up, where players take on the roles of Nobles at a party looking to increase their popularity while fraternizing with their host, the Prince, before the Red Death makes an appearance at midnight. Each player has to be careful to balance their actions between currying favor with the Prince, and trying to uncover which rooms the Red Death will visit, as the highest social standing will only matter if you manage to survive the party, and the night. Click here to pledge and find out more information about the campaign.