in the interest of full disclosure, The True Story of the Bridgewater Astral League is a fairly straightforward (ha ha!*) adaptation of the mysterious and little-known stage musical of the same name (also adapted into a concept album by The World/Inferno Friendship Society) who may have had a hand in the play's initial authoring and staging; records are sketchy on that point. don't let that limit your interest, however, if you're not into that kind of thing. for those who like cunningly implemented rpg elements and atmospheric exploration of a unique setting and premise, there is that kind of thing for you here as well.

also, this isn't a musical. although of course, it has music.

* actually, accurately adapting a stage musical into an RPG video game is quite challenging and complicated, beyond the usual challenges of translating from a non-interactive medium to a participatory one.




our story opens on halloween night, 1997. young Joe Tennis awaits his boss, the unfortunately named mafia capo Dante Alighieri (no relation, of course), in the New Jersey Pine Barrens, for some unspecified nefarious activity. while going about said business and waiting for their associates to arrive, Dante relates an anecdote from his own youth, beginning in the . a thrilling, strange, spooky, and dubious ghost story: The True Story of the rise and downfall of the Bridgewater Astral League. it will follow the astral league from their formation as a gang of suburban car thieves to a criminal empire unlike any other, and through their inevitable downfall and its tragic aftermath.



Bridgewater is ostensibly an entry in the 2012 RMN All Hallows' Event, although it probably won't be completed anywhere near in time to count. its attractive features include but are not limited to the following:

* atmospheric mapping and immersive storytelling
* rigorously detailed high-fidelity sound design
* thoroughly researched historical setting (bridgewater, nj, circa 1980)
* original art assets
* an orchestral score supplemented by a diegetic soundtrack including such luminaries of early punk and proto-punk as The Sex Pistols, The Clash, Dead Kennedys, The Stooges, and more as well as pop hits from circa 1980. in-game walkmen, jukeboxes, and boomboxes will allow you to toggle these playlists on and off, as well as shuffle them
* do astral combat against malevolent spiritual entities and worse, cops.
* use your power to astrally project to absorb and learn the emanations of foes.
* evade police on the material plane; sneak into bars and steal tips off tables.
* the unique ability to project your spirit form into the astral plane and do crimes
* an immortal tale of youth, rebellion, love, loss, crime, and astral projection


(To site administrators: the capitalization choices on this page are a stylistic decision, not sloppiness or laziness. Thank you.)

you think it's about drugs, but it's not. it's about how my 13th bad idea turned right, and i made up my mind to flaunt it. it was as not as hard as you think it might be, but the timing was real important. you know, i made up my mind to enjoy it.