Transformation is a solo, journaling, role-playing game about becoming a monster and how your changes affect those around you. Transformation is presented as an 86-page 8.5" x 11", perfect-bound soft-cover book. Transformation is printed in full color.
Y̸̡̟̠̟͇͚᷀᷾ͧ̌ͪ̅ͯ︡ō̵̟͎͚͔̣̑͒᷆͒̂̏u̸̗̙̠͕̖̳᷇͗ a̶̧̨̨̰̩͓̣̘︠̀̓̿ͥ͢͠r̴̨᷿̮̝͒͂̿e̸̪̯͉̲͉̬̺̟̭͋︢᷅᷆͆︡͋̏̅̑ c̶̜͈̻̹̭̫̱͆͜͟͞͞h̴̯̮̩̙͐̑̇̄̓ͪ̇̓͌ȃ̶̢̧᷂ͥ︣͑̃ͪ̔̀͂n̷̪ͪ̏̑̉̄g̵͇̞̩᷊̩̽᷃ͤ︣ͫ͘͜͟͟į̸̣̦ͩ͋᷉ͣ̀̔̽̅᷈ͫn̶̞̽́̕g̴̲̝̲͉̞̝̬᷿̰ͥ̂᷄̀.̸̡̭᷆ͦ᷁͂
The changes started subtly, with cravings and intrusive thoughts. But soon you noticed physical changes, followed by a complete change in perception. It isn't clear what you will become, but you can no longer deny that you are becoming something.
There is no stopping this transformation: Whatever you are becoming, it is inevitable. At best, you might be able to wrest enough control over yourself to spare those around you.
Transformation is a Kafkaesque, body-horror, solo RPG that lets you take on the role of an unfortunate soul becoming something they cannot yet imagine. As the game progresses, you will change, taking on both physical and mental monstrous changes. You'll journal about the changes as you struggle to understand what’s happening and relate your understanding to those around you.
To make dealing with the transformation even more complex, you're trapped with a companion. They won't understand what you're going through, but to be fair, neither do you.
Mechanics
Transformation plays over seven in-game days, with a standard deck of cards determining what changes your character experiences and what events you encounter each day.
Changes and events start small but escalate quickly. As your change progresses, your companion might embrace your new form, reject it, flee in terror, or even become your victim.
Inspiration
This project drew inspiration from the following sources.
Movies
- The Fly (1986)
- Videodrome (1983)
- Altered States (1980)
- Ginger Snaps (2000)
- The Thing (1982)
- Alien (1979)
- Hellraiser (1987)
- Crimes of the Future (2022)
Stories
- Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka, 1915
- Gothic tales of vampires, werewolves, and possession
- Indigenous stories of shape changers, skinwalkers, and other bad medicine
RPGs
- The Portal at Hill House by Travis D. Hill
- The Wretched by Chris Bissette
- The Quiet Year by Avery Alder
- Thousand Year Old Vampire by Tim Hutchings