Field Guide to Memory is a one-player, narrative, pen-and-paper journaling, indie role-playing game by Shing Yin Khor and Jeeyon Shim about the mentee of a missing cryptozoologist traveling across the United States in search of information about their missing mentor.

Field Guide to Memory
DesignersShing Yin Khor, Jeeyon Shim
Publication2021
GenresSolo tabletop role-playing game, storytelling game, journal-writing game
Players1
Playing timeDaily prompts for 20 days
Skillswriting, storytelling

Gameplay

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Field Guide to Memory is a "keepsake game" where players create a physical artifact as part of the game mechanics.[1][2] Players follow daily prompts that ask them to write, create art, and do other physical activities in the real world, often involving nature.[3]

Publication history

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In December 2020, Shing Yin Khor and Jeeyon Shim launched a Kickstarter to fund the creation of the game. The crowdfunding campaign surpassed the goal of $18,000 and raised just over $62,000 with the support of 1817 backers.[4][5] Initially, the game was run as a live game in February 2021 for Kickstarter backers who received the game prompts via email over the course of four weeks. The game was then repackaged as a PDF of daily prompts available for purchase on Itch.io.[1][3]

Reception

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Field Guide to Memory won the 2021 IndieCade Award in the best live game category.[1][6] Jeeyon Shim was awarded the 2021 Diana Jones Award for "Best Emerging Designer" largely based on her work on Field Guide to Memory.[7] Kelly Knox for Nerdist called it the best solo (one-player) tabletop role-playing game.[8] Greg Loring-Albright at Drexel University wrote about the game in his Ph.D. research on keepsake games.[9]

References

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  1. ^ a b c Carpenter, Nicole (March 26, 2021). "Field Guide to Memory is a 'keepsake' game written inside your own personal journal". Polygon. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "The Gaming Shelf Enters the Tavern". Yahoo Entertainment. 18 October 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  3. ^ a b Meehan, Alex (2020-12-17). "Keep your own physical journal over four weeks in storytelling game Field Guide to Memory". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  4. ^ "Field Guide to Memory". Kickstarter. Jeeyon Shim. Retrieved April 10, 2023. "$62,449 pledged of $18,000 goal. 1,817 backers".
  5. ^ Moreno, Jim (2020-12-19). "Field Guide To Memory Has You Create Your Own Unique Journal As Part Of The Game". TheGamer. Retrieved 2023-04-10.
  6. ^ "2021 AWARD WINNING GAMES". IndieCade. Retrieved September 28, 2022.
  7. ^ Carter, Chase (2021-08-04). "Jeeyon Shim wins 2021 Diana Jones Emerging Designer Program". Dicebreaker. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  8. ^ "Solo Tabletop Games to Play When You're Tired of People". Nerdist. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
  9. ^ "PhD Student Greg Loring-Albright Investigates "Keepsake" Games". College of Arts and Sciences. 2021-09-09. Retrieved 2023-04-03.