In development

Frequently asked questions

Is the game out yet?

No. Tomebound Tactics is in development. The launch epoch will be called Alchemist Reign, and no launch date has been announced. Join the newsletter on the home page to be notified when it opens.

How does studying a book work?

Scan a book's ISBN with your phone camera. The book's original publication year sets your wizard's rank, and studying it grants a skill — a page of the spellbook. A book's special gift can be earned once per wizard, ever, and each wizard may study one book per day. That is the Daily Study Rule.

Do I need to own the book to study it?

Yes. Studying requires your own copy. Guild libraries share ISBNs so members can see what each other is reading, but studying still requires the member's own copy — digital borrowing is not part of the game.

Is it pay to win?

No. Money buys cosmetics only: skins, wands, and spirit animals. Featured Tomes — books publishers sponsor — make a study featured, which is faster and more certain, but never stronger, and a featured study still uses the wizard's one study for the day.

How do battles work?

Two players, three wizards each, on a randomly generated board of sixty-one hexes with three shrines. Wizards attack only from adjacent hexes, so position is everything. Ranked play is bracketed by rank tier, with stats normalised inside the match.

What are epochs?

Epochs are the game's seasons: eight weeks each, with a name, a storyline chapter unlocked by community milestones, and a canon of featured books. Abilities rotate to the Archive after two epochs — the Fading Rule — so the game keeps moving.

What platforms will it be on?

Mobile, iOS and Android, is the plan. A web prototype exists for playtesting today.

Is it suitable for younger readers?

Tomebound is designed for readers. School use follows its own policy, which is under separate review; the library pilot covers public libraries only, and the game has no free-text chat.

What is a Featured Tome?

A book a publisher sponsors into the study flow for one epoch. It is featured — easier to find, with a more certain study — but never stronger. See the sponsors page for the pricing card.