Advent of Adventure, a solo journaling RPG presented as an advent calendar, is approaching the final days of its Kickstarter campaign, offering players a narrative-driven experience ahead of the holiday season
Advent of Adventure, a solo journaling role-playing game delivered in the form of an advent calendar, is currently in the final stretch of its Kickstarter campaign. Developed by an independent UK-based publisher, the project invites players to experience a daily unfolding narrative, with each calendar door revealing a new writing prompt that builds towards a personalised festive story.
How the Game Works
In Advent of Adventure, players take on the role of a character tasked with recovering stolen gifts from a dragon that has descended upon the North Pole. The game is structured so that each day in December, a new compartment is opened, providing a fresh prompt to guide the next chapter of the player's story. This approach encourages daily engagement and creative writing, culminating in a unique conclusion shaped by the player's choices and imagination.
The format is designed for solo play, with no requirement for dice, miniatures or traditional rulebooks. Instead, the focus is on narrative development and personal reflection, making it accessible to a wide range of players, including those new to tabletop role-playing games. The prompts are crafted to support both light-hearted and more dramatic storytelling, depending on the player's preference.
Release Timing and Pricing
The Kickstarter campaign for Advent of Adventure is set to close within days, with backers able to secure either a physical calendar or a digital PDF version. The physical edition is priced at £15, while the digital PDF is available for £5. Delivery is scheduled for November, aiming to ensure that players receive their calendars ahead of the holiday season. Shipping costs are estimated at £6.50 for UK addresses and $11-14 for international backers, with additional extras such as stickers and colouring sheets offered as optional add-ons.
This release follows the publisher's earlier project, Advent of Abomination, which took a darker approach to the advent calendar RPG format. That title featured daily scare ratings and branching prompts, and its popularity has led to a reprint alongside Advent of Adventure. Both games are available to backers during the current campaign window.
Player Experience and Community Response
For those interested in how a solo journaling RPG unfolds in practice, player stories from Advent of Abomination have been shared online, offering insight into the format's potential for creativity and replayability. The concept has been praised for providing a more imaginative and affordable alternative to traditional advent calendars filled with chocolate or gaming accessories. The publisher's approach has resonated with players seeking a narrative-driven experience that can be enjoyed independently and at their own pace.
Solo tabletop games and narrative-driven experiences have seen increased interest in recent years, with Advent of Adventure representing a distinctive entry in this growing genre. For a broader look at how indie developers are experimenting with unconventional formats, readers may find it useful to explore coverage of other innovative projects, such as the psychological detective game Rehaunted, discussed in our recent feature on narrative-driven indie releases.
What Remains Unclear
While the campaign outlines the core structure and delivery timeline, some details remain to be confirmed, including the precise content of each day's prompt and the extent of replayability across multiple years. As with many crowdfunded projects, final production quality and delivery schedules may be subject to change depending on campaign performance and manufacturing logistics. No information has been provided regarding retail availability beyond the Kickstarter window, so players interested in securing a copy are advised to consider backing before the campaign concludes.
Solo journaling RPGs differ from traditional tabletop games by focusing on personal narrative creation rather than group play or competitive mechanics. These games typically use daily prompts or structured entries to guide players through a story, encouraging reflection and creativity without the need for complex rules or equipment. The advent calendar format adds a seasonal structure, making each session part of a larger, time-bound experience that can be revisited or adapted in future years.
