The Command Optical Overlay for Long-Range Oversight of Battlefield Operations and Tactics

What is this?

The Overlay is a collection of digital assets to use in BeamSaber games.  

They’re designed to improve the flow of play, by making important mechanical information like Position immediately clear to players, and to help players keep track of things like downtime actions. 

The assets were originally designed for online play on platforms like Play Role and Roll20. I’ve also found they work well when I cast a roll20 game on my television and use that like a big whiteboard that everyone can see. 

I’d love to hear your feedback.  If you use this in your games, let me know how it goes. 

I’m particularly interested in feedback from people with specific visual needs or disabilities (eg: people who are colour blind).  If that is you, I’d love to hear from you, especially if you are finding the assets hard to use.  

You can find me on twitter as @recombinatrix, or send an email to recombinatrix@gmail.com.

Is this a complete game? Do I need to own BeamSaber to use these assets?

This is not a game at all. The Overlay is a collection of images intended to make online play easy to keep track of, and more visually enjoyable.

These assets were designed for use with Austin Ramsay's BeamSaber. While some parts can be used for other games, I'm not sure how useful you'll find this asset pack if you don't own BeamSaber.

Can I use this Asset Pack in a new game I am making?

No. This is not an asset pack intended for people who are making their own games. Please don't buy this if you're looking for assets to use in game development; it's  really not suited to that.

What does the Overlay include right now?  

Right now the Overlay is in Early Release, and new components are coming soon.  

Version 0.8.1 includes:  

• This document
• A playmat for tracking downtime actions, calibrated for Roll20, in two shapes (1750 x 1050 and 1750 x 1750), both with either a transparent background or a solid background
• A playmat for tracking downtime actions, calibrated for PlayRole.com
• The Tactical Position Display, a rollable table to track player position
• A 1750 x 1750 px background to put behind your BeamSaber games.
• A collection of tokens you can use to represent your players. 

What’s new is version 0.8.1?  

• A new playmat designed for use with PlayRole.com. As PlayRole.com is in early access, I expect this change as the platform develops. Please send me your comments!
• I redesigned the supply tokens to be more distinct from the playmat. There are two new versions of the tokens for personnel, materiel, and generic supply
• I’ve recalibrated the tokens to look better in Roll20 and PlayRole.com, including some changes to colour and transparent space. The downtime playmat tokens have undergone substantial changes.
• In addition to the recalibration, there are several entirely new player and map tokens, including Birds! Animals! Criminals! In total, there are now thirty two maps and player tokens!

What is coming next?  

• Mission playmats in various shapes and sizes
• Many more tokens, including tokens designed by me to symbolise each of the core playbooks.
• A nicer version of this document

I'd like to know the usage rights before I buy this asset pack!

Sure thing!  I’m releasing these as a BeamSaber supply drop in accordance with Beamsaber License V3.  

You can use these assets when you play games with your friends, with strangers, or even with your foes. I designed them for BeamSaber, but if you want to use them for other ttrpgs, you should!  

You’re welcome to upload them to online game platforms like Roll20 for personal use. You’re also welcome to use them in games that are streamed for an audience, provided you credit me as their creator.  

You’re welcome to use these as inspiration to make something new. Please tell me about what you make; that sounds cool.  

You may not repackage these assets for distribution or sale without prior agreement with me.

You may not present these assets as your own work.  

Outside of their use in streamed games, you may not use these assets as components in new artworks. For example, you should not convert them to photoshop brushes.