The Game
Welcome to the River; a flowing path born at the mountain’s feet. In her high narrows, barely two boats fit lengthwise; a furious pounding of water. From these rocky ravines, she threads her way through the land, until she reaches the Great Sea. Quiet and slow-moving in these lowlands, she provides homes for those who live upon her waters and food for those who live beside her.
On this River, you are a bookseller, paddling your floating bookshop up and downstream to various towns along the Riverbank. How did you come across the bookshop? Was it gifted to you or did you happen to chance upon it?
Your days are filled with customers, leaks and the irritating nook beetles that bury into the pages of your books. Make friends with regular customers to the bookshop, experience the River as she moves through the different seasons, visit and explore various towns, go fishing in the River's rich waters. Throughout the year, the seasons change and holidays give the chance for you to join in celebrations and festivities with the animalfolk.
Floating Bookshop is set in a fully formed world with its own unique seasons, holidays and customs. It is a place to escape to; where the inhabitants of the world live in rhythm with nature and things are simpler. This game was primarily inspired by The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Blythell which documents the hilarious day-to-day of running a secondhand bookshop in Scotland, and Wanderhome by Jay Dragon.
222 pages featuring illustrations by Linnea Sterte
Features
- 5 unique seasons to play through
- 10 towns to visit, each with different shops, characters and seasonal traditions
- 2-3 holidays per season
- A fishing mini-game
- A floor plan to design your bookshop
- Simple gameplay
Gameplay
You play through each day on the River by documenting the events in your journal, beginning at the start of a new year. Gameplay is relaxed and simple, with the player deciding the direction of their day.
Beginning with the weather, you decide whether to open the bookshop or to spend the day exploring, fishing or resting. If you open the bookshop, flip cards for the customers that walk through the door. At the end of the day, roll dice to tally up your earnings and books sold. If you decide to travel along the River, ponder a question about the scenery as you paddle past.
During holidays, join in celebrations prompted by questions. Receive a token - a memory or item – to remember the event by.
