Frequently Asked Questions
What is Alkemion Studio?
Alkemion Studio is a brainstorming and writing application for the TTRPG community, featuring a node-based design approach.
It is a free web application compatible with most modern browsers, including tablets and mobile devices.
What is the history of the project?
My son and I, both software engineers and role-playing game enthusiasts, began developing Alkemion Studio in the summer of 2023. I had been envisioning this project for years, and my son was seeking a significant technical challenge to refine his software engineering skills as he approached the end of his studies.
We released the first public beta version of Alkemion Studio on July 15, 2024. It has been a thrilling journey, and we are excited to continue developing and improving the application.
Learn more about the origin story in this blog post.
Why is it free? How is it sustainable?
We offer Alkemion Studio for free because it aligns with the foundational vision and initial intentions we had when starting this project. It was born out of a unique blend of timing and passion, from our shared journey and love of working together.
The positive feedback from early users has motivated us to explore ways to make our efforts sustainable. While we are committed to keeping the core web application free, we are actively working on funding options to help develop and deliver the features most requested by our community. There's already a Patreon page up and running that allows you to support us. Additionally, we're excited to announce an upcoming crowdfunding campaign to help us develop an offline desktop version of Alkemion Studio with enhanced features. You can learn more about our plans for the desktop client on our desktop crowdfunding page.
How can I support the project?
The best way to support us is by becoming a Patron on our Patreon page. Your contributions directly help fund the continued development of Alkemion Studio, allowing us to enhance the platform with new features and maintain the technical infrastructure. As a Patron, you'll get exclusive access to behind-the-scenes updates, sneak peeks of upcoming functionalities, and the opportunity to shape the future of the tool with your feedback. You will have our sincerest gratitude and the chance to be a part of something special.
Another exciting way to support us is by participating in our upcoming crowdfunding campaign for the Alkemion Studio Desktop version. This will help us deliver a powerful offline client with advanced features like multiple boards per module, node synchronization, and version history. Sign up for updates to be the first to know when the campaign launches.
If neither of these options works for you, another great way to support us is by spreading the word! Sharing Alkemion Studio with fellow GMs, players, and TTRPG communities helps us grow and reach more creators.
You can also join our Discord to contribute to the community by sharing your creations, offering suggestions, and helping newcomers get acquainted with Alkemion Studio.
Thank you for your support, every bit helps us continue building this project!
Is my project private?
Absolutely. Your project remains private unless you choose to share it using the application's sharing feature.
Do I own the content I made with Alkemion Studio?
Yes, you do! We don't claim any ownership over the content you create using Alkemion Studio. Your creations are exclusively yours.
Is my data safe?
The application and its data are hosted by OVHcloud, the leading European cloud provider, with servers specifically located in France.
We use state-of-the-art databases with hourly and daily backups and the backups are duplicated in two separate facilities. You can also export your modules at any time.
Can I export my content?
Yes, the application supports several export formats: Markdown, HTML, and PDF. JSON and text export options will be available soon. The upcoming desktop version will also feature one-click Obsidian Vault export, allowing you to seamlessly integrate your creations with your Obsidian knowledge base.
Does Alkemion Studio work on mobile and tablet?
Absolutely! Our web interface is fully responsive, allowing you to access Alkemion Studio from any device with a modern browser. While desktops and larger tablets provide the best experience, it's also handy to manage your modules on mobile—you never know when inspiration will strike! One of the perks of using a web app is that you can access your content from any devices at any time.
What should I do if I encounter issues signing up or signing in?
If you experience any issues with signing up or signing in to Alkemion Studio, please don't hesitate to contact us. You can reach out to us via email at support@alkemion.com or join our Discord server to connect with us directly. We will respond as promptly as possible.
Is there a desktop client version?
Not yet, but we're excited to announce that we're actively developing a desktop version of Alkemion Studio! This powerful offline client will include all the features of the web version plus much-requested enhancements like complete offline capability, multiple boards per module, node synchronization across modules, and version history. We'll be launching a crowdfunding campaign soon to support this development. Visit our desktop crowdfunding page to learn more and sign up for updates.
Does Alkemion Studio work offline?
The current web version requires an internet connection. However, we're developing a desktop application that will provide full offline capability, allowing you to work on your worlds anytime, anywhere, without needing an internet connection. The desktop version will include features like offline data backup and restoration, with optional real-time sync to the Alkemion cloud when online. This is one of the key features of our upcoming desktop client, which will be funded through our crowdfunding campaign. Learn more here.
When will [insert incredible feature name] come out?
Given that only two of us are working on this project part-time, it's very difficult to provide release dates for new features. However, we are eager to discuss what we're currently working on on Discord, so feel free to join us there! For major upcoming features like our desktop client, you can find information on our desktop crowdfunding page.
Do you intend to make Alkemion Studio open-source or self-hostable?
We have no plans to make Alkemion Studio open-source or self-hostable at this time.
What is Alkemion's stance on AI-generated content?
Alkemion Studio offers a vast library of visuals to assist users in brainstorming their tabletop RPG modules. Some of these visuals are human-made, and others are generated by deep learning text-to-image models. Our goal is to provide convenient tools for rapid ideation during the creative process.
We understand that AI-generated content is a divisive issue within the TTRPG community. To be clear, we view procedurally generated content as useful only for temporary, disposable purposes during brainstorming or personal sessions. It is not meant to replace human creativity or artistic labor. The library also includes thousands of human-generated visuals, all under Creative Commons licenses, and users are free to ignore any content they don't wish to use.
Ultimately, Alkemion Studio is about fostering creativity and empowering users to tell their own stories. In a time where automation and AI are growing, we believe it's more important than ever to exercise our own imagination. Alkemion exists to support this, providing a space for creators to explore their ideas and bring their unique visions to life.