BBG Digest - The World We Left Behind

A free 2-player TTRPG and the ballet it inspired in NYC

Oct 11, 2023

The World We Left Behind

I’ve just released a new free TTRPG!

The World We Left Behind is a two-player worldbuilding game about exploring a deserted planet and learning what happened to the aliens who called it home.

Your characters will take multiple trips to the planet as they attempt to answer the question “what happened here?”

The temporary cover art of The World We Left Behind. It shows a table with a 6x6 grid of playing cards. Most of the cards are face-up, but a few are still face-down. The cards have drawings and writing on them.

BalletCollective Performance

A ballet inspired by The World We Left Behind is being performed in NYC!

TWWLB was commissioned by BalletCollective to be used as Source Art in their upcoming 2023 season, THE MOMENT IS IMMINENT. BalletCollective has created a ballet inspired by TWWLB, which is being performed in NYC this fall by dancers from New York City Ballet. I cannot express how excited I am about this collaboration!

Performance dates are:

Tuesday, October 31 at 7:30 PM
Wednesday, November 1 at 7:00 PM – Gala Performance
Thursday, November 2 at 7:30 PM

Tickets are available here. I’ll be attending all 3 of them!

A free livestream of the The November 2nd 7:30 PM performance will be available to watch at balletcollective.com/live (this webpage will become available closer to the performance).

TWWLB was designed in collaboration with Troy Schumacher (choreographer) and Phong Tran (composer), who created the music and the choreography for the ballet. They were both a delight to work with and I cannot wait for everyone to see what the three of us made together!

A promotional image for BalletCollective's Fall 2023 season, THE MOMENT IS IMMINENT. It shows a dancer in a shiny blue-green outfit.

Gameplay

TWWLB is divided into four journeys. The goal of each journey is to find the Ace, which uncovers part of the mystery. When you find the fourth and final Ace, your characters learn the planet’s story and the game is over.

While exploring, players uncover cards that represent traits of the planet. Players draw symbols on each card, then interpret these symbols to create the traits. Characters might run into traits multiple times during the game, each time learning more about this piece of the world.

The tone and themes of TWWLB revolve around wonder, loneliness, legacy, companionship, and reflection. I drew inspiration from the following TTRPGs…

Together Among the Stars by Takuma Okada
Carta by Peach Garden Games
These Old Bones by Cameron Haberberg and W. L. Marigold Crow-Humphreys
Exquisite Biome by Caro Asercion
Wreck This Deck by Black Armada Games

…as well as the video game Outer Wilds by Mobius Digital.

Further Development

This free version of TWWLB was the version provided to BalletCollective for use during their season. It is fully-playable and will remain free.

TWWLB will have an updated release in 2024, which will include physical copies, updated rules, cover art by Helena Santana, interior layout, and options for playing solo or with 3+ players.

Below is a preview of the cover art by Helena Santana.

A part of the cover art Helena Santana made for The World We Left Behind. It shows an astronaut standing on a cliff looking over a landscape. The land has giant play cards scattered over it.

I’m so proud of TWWLB and this incredible collaboration with BalletCollective. I think this is one of the best games I’ve written. I hope you enjoy it!

~ Sam Leigh

Blinking Birch Games

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