Off Book: The Improvised Musical RPG

A scrappy child finds themselves in the whimsical world of Off Book: The Improvised Musical!

This game is a short musical comedy RPG (Think Undertale: The Musical) with actual improvised songs and characters from Off Book.

The first Improvised Musical RPG based on a Podcast

What's Off Book?

Off Book is a podcast/live show, where Jessica McKenna, Zach Reino and a special guest create a new original musical on the spot!

Past guests include Ben Schwartz (Sonic the Hedgehog), Darcy Carden (Janet from The Good Place), and Conan O'brien! (Only a cameo... but it counts!)

A live Off Book clip

Do I need to have listened to Off Book?

No! While the game features many wild characters from the Off Book, they will be introduced in a way that anyone can enjoy the songs and jokes.

… but go listen to it anyway. Its insanely funny and feel-good!

Features

• Travel various worlds to gather a rag-tag group of heroes
  (ex. Shrimp Priest from Ep. 267 with the Wolves of Glendale)
• Navigate funny situations and enjoy fully improvised songs
• Meet memorable enemies and attain peculiar items
• Level up with classic RPG combat (no random battles) and classic RPG art (RTP)

Available for Windows and Mac

Fighting these four bears. These teenage bears.

Future Features

• Improved combat including Limit Breaks and unique Song based attacks
• Emotional story about a child who finds themselves in the world of Off Book.
  
• Completely revamped art assets and remade maps
• More content! (Songs, Items, Enemies, Characters, Puzzles)

Limit Break!: Twenty Ways into the Castle (King Centipede's Song)

Learn lyrical abilities from Enemies or NPCs.
Use the right song at the right time or rhyme your lyrics for special effects!

Is there a free version?

I created a quick proof of concept back in 2021 called The Trench Wizard. It was based on a short Off Book segment in episode 227: Trench Wizard.

Play for free: https://edselsbakedgoods.itch.io/trench-wizard

(Off Book: is already 7-8x more content than The Trench Wizard!)

The Trench Wizard 2022 Playthrough with commentary

Are Zach and Jess involved?

No. Zach and Jess have given me their blessing to release this on my own, but they have had no direct input. If you want to support them, go support them directly (Off Book Clubhouse), or watch their show on Dropout, "Play it by Ear"!

So, who are you?

I'm Edsel! I was born with the perfect name to own a Pretzel Stand.

I'd call it, Edsel's Baked Goods!

But instead, I grew up loving video games, especially RPGs like Final Fantasy, Earthbound, and Kingdom of Loathing. That love inspired me to get into Game Dev in 2010.

Around that time, I also got into long-form improv. I performed on stage with various groups including the world touring group, Yes Anderson. (Performing once at Gitmo counts as a world tour, right?)

After 300 episodes, Off Book ended their weekly releases. I knew that I had to do something really special. That's when I decided to put all my love for gaming, improv, and Off Book to make Off Book: The Improvised Musical RPG!

How can I get involved?

I am a solo dev with no current budget, so any help would be greatly appreciated. Drop into the Discord, give feedback, and give ideas for songs or jokes or whatever! Also, spreading the word helps a ton! 

Follow EdselsBakedGoods on Instagram and YouTube!