What Kind of Game Is Inspired by This Story?
If Fernando, the author, had been a theologian, poet or philosopher, the game might have taken a very different shape. But Fernando is an engineer, so the thing that popped into his mind when he read the book was, “How does this place work”?
His game tries to answer that question.
Which Elements of the Book Are Present in the Game?
Inferno puts you in the place of a Florentine family in the 14th century, striving to gain Infamy and become the most influential in Hell.
The game begins with Dante starting his descent into Hell. He serves as a sort of timer; every time a soul is brought to the Graveyard, Dante advances one step. The game concludes once he finds the exit to Purgatory.
The main board is split into two sections. The top represents Florence and its sinners, while the bottom portrays Hell with its nine circles, plagued by tortured souls. At the different locations in Florence, players will seek to improve their reputation and scout sinners of all kinds (each represented by a different color). They will bring them to justice, and after a quick trial these unfortunate souls are transferred to the Graveyard, near Hell's entrance.
Players can then pay a drachma to Charon, the ferryman, to transport a soul across the River Acheron into Limbo, the first of the circles. If you're short on drachmas, Charon might lend you some, but he'll expect something in return.
Upon reaching Limbo, the souls descend circle by circle, until they reach one matching their color, where they'll receive their eternal punishment. This will bring Infamy to the family that brought them there.
To transport a soul beyond the fifth circle to the lower, juicier ones, players need a Safe Passage at the appropriate gate of the Walls of Dis.
Each game features two guardians: King Minos, Minotaur, Medusa, Antaeus, Geryon or Cerberus, each bringing unique elements and rule changes that alter the way souls move through Hell.
Fear not if you feel overwhelmed by all these elements. Virgil and Beatrice, the authors of the Rulebook, are here to help! Virgil, an expert on Hell, and Beatrice, a native of Florence, will tell you all there is to know to succeed in the game.
How Accurate and Respectful to the Divine Comedy Is the Game?
Unfortunately, not many people are familiar with the poem. A common question we get is whether familiarity with the poem is necessary to enjoy the game. Not at all, really, but knowing what it’s about adds a rewarding layer. This gave us the idea to introduce the story through this update.
Despite the humorous tone of this text, the game itself is extremely respectful of the original material. Both the author and we, the publishers, have developed a deep appreciation for it. We've consulted historical and cultural experts to ensure the period and the book are faithfully represented.
We will conclude this update with an introduction by Jason Perez (MTS), our Cultural Advisor.
From a thematic perspective, Inferno offers an opportunity for players to immerse themselves into the world of a true classic in Western European literature - The Inferno by the 13th century Italian poet, Dante Alighieri. Inferno reflects a growing trend of board games that engage critically with adult themes in history and culture.
Honoring the subject matter of Dante’s Inferno means dealing with themes that a person in the 21st century might find uncomfortable, particularly explicitly religious themes like hell, sin, and damnation. The Inferno was written in a time when church and state were closely intertwined. Religious themes pervaded every cultural medium at the time - art, music, even children’s stories. In the development of Inferno, the intention was to stay true to the spirit and historicity of the source material, without any desire to make any statements or judgments outside of its scope.
Potential players of Inferno should know that the game does not adopt the perspective of the book’s protagonist, Dante himself. Instead, the game centers the kinds of Florentine noble families that Dante wrote about, many of which he depicted as among the damned for their corruption. In this, Inferno stands among many other artistic depictions that center the so-called “bad side” - ie, the denizens of Hell, or the concentric circle structure that has inspired so much fascination over the centuries. By being so explicit about naming its victory points “Infamy”, the game shares in Dante’s critique and rejection of the idea that these are “noble” families in any sense of the term. Any misbehavior committed by the players is meant to be a part of, while staying firmly within, the magic circle of the game experience.
The sincere hope for anyone who plays is that they develop a curiosity about Dante’s work, perhaps to the point where more people pick it up and read it for themselves. Reading more books is always a good thing! Ultimately, for any way players choose to engage Inferno, the game makers hope it provides a satisfying, enjoyable experience.
This is all for now. We will update you on new languages as soon as they are confirmed. Also, we will soon announce the surprise we have planned for kicking off the campaign on February 20th.
The Red Mojo Team
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