EXODUS - Sci-Fi Action-Adventure RPG with Time Dilation from James Ohlen's Archetype Entertainment

[Tyranicon]

I've heard of this guy but never touched his stuff. Is his work worth reading?

Also, having a semi-notable author do some kind of spin-off on your vidya game setting but completely separate from the actual game... okay? Weird strat. Why not just have him contribute to the game itself?

I would be much more interested if the devs consulted with a scifi author to build their universe. It at least shows good faith and an investment in the fundamentals.

Let's see what the book is about. This is probably our most cohesive look at the game setting so far.

Forty-thousand years ago, humanity fled a dying Earth. Traveling in massive ark ships these brave pioneers spread out across the galaxy to find a new home. After traveling thousands of light-years, one fleet of ark ships arrived at Centauri, a dense cluster of stars with thousands of potentially habitable planets. The survivors of Earth signaled to the remaining ark ships that humanity had finally found its new home among the stars.

Thousands of years later, the Centauri Cluster has flourished. The original settlers evolved into advanced beings known as Celestials, dividing themselves into powerful Dominions. One of the most influential is that of the Crown Celestials, an alliance of five great houses that controls vast areas of Centauri. As ark ships continue to arrive, the remaining humans and their descendants must fight for survival against overwhelming odds or be forced into serving the Crown Dominion.

Among those yearning for a better life is Finn, for whom Earth is not even a memory, but merely a footnote from humanity’s ancient history. Born on one of the Crown Dominion worlds, Finn has known nothing but the repressive rule of the Celestials, though he dreams of the possibility of boundless space beyond his home.

When another ark ship from Earth, previously thought lost, unexpectedly arrives, Finn sees his chance to embrace a greater destiny and become a Traveler – brave heroes dedicated to ensuring humanity’s future by journeying into the vast unknown of distant space.

 

[Hammer Of The Heretics]

I've enjoyed most of the books I've read by him. He writes large scale space opera, with decent world building. He sometimes has trouble sticking the ending, though.

I think his novel Great North Road is a good stand alone example of his work; if you don't like that he probably isn't an author for you.

 

[Aarwolf]

I would be much more interested if the devs consulted with a scifi author to build their universe. It at least shows good faith and an investment in the fundamentals.

In one of the Q&A videos they claimed that they work with some sci-fi authors, some speculate that Adrian Tchaikovsky is one of them. Knowing his Children of Time it would be quite fitting.

 

[Morgoth]

ANNOUNCING GLOBAL LICENSING AGREEMENT WITH RANDOM HOUSE WORLDS AND PETER F. HAMILTON FOR EXODUS GAME​

January 30, 2024
|
Archetype Entertainment

Archetype Entertainment announced today that they have entered into a global licensing agreement with Random House Worlds to publish two novels by author Peter F. Hamilton, set in the universe of EXODUS. 

Announced today, Random House Worlds, shared that they will publish a series of two novels that will explore the world of EXODUS. The first book, EXODUS: THE ARCHIMEDES ENGINE, will be released on September 17, 2024 – but starting today fans can pre-order the book by visiting exodus-archimedes-engine.com.

“We are excited to have Peter F. Hamilton, not only creating stories set in our universe, but as a creative consultant on the EXODUS game. "I have been a huge fan of Peter F. Hamilton since his earliest novels,” said James Ohlen, Co-Founder and Executive Creative Director for Archetype Entertainment, the studio developing EXODUS. “He creates fantastic science-fiction worlds, that transport the reader to the center of an action-packed story that feels so real, it blurs the lines between our world and his. I am thrilled to have him helping us create this new sci-fi world for the EXODUS video game that will engage players for years to come."  

“The events in EXODUS: THE ARCHIMEDES ENGINE take place in the same universe as the EXODUS role-playing game”, Hamilton says, however, the novel is not telling the story of the game itself. The events take place many lightyears removed from the star system featured in the game. Telling a unique, stand-alone story, the novels allow readers a glimpse into the universe of the game with the kinds of missions and encounters a player will be facing”.  Per Peter, “Brace yourself, it’s not going to be easy.”

 

[Morgoth]

WOTC isn't holding back with big names and seem to back Archetype 100%.

Meanwhile, Bioware hates its writers and would just like to stop making CRPGs entirely.

 

[cyborgboy95]

 

[Spukrian]

Hmm...

Inspirated by Interstellar, Dune, previous IPs (Baldur's Gate, KOTOR), and other choice-based games like Horizon, The Last of Us, Tomb Raider

 

[Alienman]

Cartoony Destiny-like art style and zoomer gameplay. Probably a hard pass.

 

[Morgoth]

EXODUS Sci-Fi AAA RPG Will Be Co-Developed by Certain Affinity​

Alessio Palumbo • Feb 10, 2024 06:00 AM EST

EXODUS was one of the most interesting game reveals at The Game Awards 2023. It is the debut project of Archetype Entertainment, an Austin-based studio helmed by former BioWare legend James Ohlen (who worked on classics like the first Baldur's Gate games, Neverwinter Nights, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age: Origins) and owned by Wizards of the Coast. Shortly after its foundation, the studio was joined by another ex BioWare veteran: writer Drew Karpyshyn, known mostly as the lead writer of the acclaimed first two Mass Effect games.

Archetype's goal is to create new franchises outside of Dungeons and Dragons and Magic. EXODUS is just that, an entirely new sci-fi universe with an incredibly deep lore. The developers have already shared a full-fledged timeline that spans 40 thousand years.

In this triple-A action/adventure roleplaying game, players will step into the shoes of a Traveler named Jun, the only one capable of interacting with the technology of the Celestials, a race hellbent on annihilating humankind. As evidenced by the title, the Traveler will roam the stars seeking weapons and technology to be used against the Celestials. The twist is the mechanics called Time Dilation.

As Travelers on interstellar missions, days for you are decades back home. The sacrifices you make to protect your loved ones create unpredictable consequences that change your world -- reshaping the future. Returning home, you confront the consequences of your choices. In Exodus, the outcome of those choices manifests at a massive level, compounding over generations.

Jun will be voiced by Academy Award Matthew McConaughey, showing that Archetype is sparing no expense in the development of EXODUS. This week, the studio also announced that it has been collaborating with fellow Austin-based studio Certain Affinity on this project since 2022.

James Ohlen, co-founder of Archetype and Executive Creative Director on EXODUS, said in a statement:

This game is introducing an extremely innovative and expansive world. We are creating a new universe that we hope will be the beginning of a decades-long narrative-driven adventure for gamers. I’ve known Max for a long time and was thrilled to partner with Certain Affinity on a project. With his support and the addition of his outstanding team, we’re excited to bring this new AAA Sci-fi universe to life.

Certain Affinity’s founder and CEO Max Hoberman added:

We’re thrilled to be partnering with James, Chad, and the rest of the team at Archetype Entertainment. As one of the world’s premiere independent studios, we’ve worked on a huge variety of great games, but nothing quite like this exciting new Sci-Fi IP, EXODUS. Our mission is to add value in development across the board and to complement their efforts in bringing this amazing storytelling experience to players around the world.

Chad Robertson, co-founder, VP and Executive Producer at Archetype, said:

The value of our experienced teams joining forces adds a clear benefit to the project and ensures that in today’s competitive video game marketplace, EXODUS will be an IP that stands apart in terms of quality, deep engagement, and value for gamers. We have enjoyed working with Certain Affinity and look forward to the unique opportunities that come from a deep partnership like this with such a veteran team.

In other EXODUS news, Random House Worlds will publish two novels by author Peter F. Hamilton set in the universe. The first one, called EXODUS: THE ARCHIMEDES ENGINE, can already be pre-ordered ahead of the launch date of September 17.

The game, on the other hand, will be released for PC, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series S|X. There's no release window yet.

 

[cyborgboy95]

 

[Tyranicon]

Why even bother anymore? At this point the jokes write themselves.


Weapons expert. Seasoned warfighter.

Lacks:

-Muscles
-Believability
-Good haircut

Has:

-Ultimate move pew pew
-Anatomically messy mech made by someone who hasn't thought of how to shove a human body in a robot suit
-Sarcasm. Quips. We've never, ever had this before.

 

[Lhynn]

She looks like the retarded third world cousin of Jack. She looks like a brazilian twink.
I dont mind female characters in my video games, they just need to have bigger tits, less clothing and a prettier face. Also a profession that doesnt sound pants on head retarded for someone like them.

 

[lukaszek]

Anatomically messy mech made by someone who hasn't thought of how to shove a human body in a robot suit

she needs to be slim and short as one needs to squat inside. You dont get 2+m soldier into a tank crew

 

[Readher]

Designed by CEO of Tumblr.

 

[ADULF HITLOR FAN KLUB]

Friendly reminder for those who are upset that the game looks like it was designed in a commune:

They will never produce anything of value.

 

[Serus]

Anatomically messy mech made by someone who hasn't thought of how to shove a human body in a robot suit

she needs to be slim and short as one needs to squat inside. You dont get 2+m soldier into a tank crew

In one of the episodes of SG:Atlantis two average male humans were using armored suits of Asgard - race maybe 1m tall and very thin. Do you want to tell me it was unrealistic?

 

[lukaszek]

In one of the episodes of SG:Atlantis two average male humans were using armored suits of Asgard - race maybe 1m tall and very thin. Do you want to tell me it was unrealistic?

inside of armored suit was in another dimension in that franchise

 

[Serus]

In one of the episodes of SG:Atlantis two average male humans were using armored suits of Asgard - race maybe 1m tall and very thin. Do you want to tell me it was unrealistic?

inside of armored suit was in another dimension in that franchise

I suspect you mixed it up with something else. Where did you get that in the series? Asgard (and their armor suits) are in only 2 episodes of Atlantis, that's all. Well, I am sclerotic so I might have forgotten it.

 

[lukaszek]

Where did you get that in the series?

im making stuff up half of the time

 

[Morgoth]

Elise will be Jack.

Saving the good stuff for last I guess?

 

[Machocruz]

AAA video games have the worst science fiction writing and designs on the planet.

 

[cyborgboy95]

CURIOUS ABOUT ELISE CHARROUX? OUR NARRATIVE DIRECTOR ANSWERS YOUR QUESTIONS ABOUT THE RECENTLY REVEALED COMPANION!


The reveal of the EXODUS Companion, Elise, created a lot of positive comments and a few questions. Narrative Director Drew Karpyshyn took some time to answer a few of your questions offering a deeper look at Elise Charroux. In this follow-up, Drew reveals more about Elise's backstory and some of her guiding motivations.



Why is Elise in a mech suit? What made her decide to use one? Did she make it?
As a soldier on Earth, Elise was trained in the use of personal mechanized combat armor – what is commonly referred to as a “mech suit”. During her time on Lidon, she has managed to repair and upgrade the suit she brought with her from Earth, transforming it into an even more devastating weapon.

Is Elise stuck in the suit, always wearing it, or can she take it off and work on it?
Elise typically only wears the suit during a mission. In her off time, she can either be found in the garage tinkering with her mech, or at the local pub sharing drinks with the other mercenaries and salvagers.



Why is Elise consumed with finding out more about Earth? Is this a symptom of losing some memories due to cryosleep?
Prolonged cryosleep causes “holes” in your memory – bits and pieces are lost, and much of what remains can be fragmented or disjointed. Elise remembers small parts of her past, but much of what she once was is gone. She hopes that finding connections to Earth will help her recover some of her lost memories and give her a better understanding of who she was and where she came from.



Aside from her continuing interest in Earth, are there any other aspects of Elise that make her unique?
Like all your companions, Elise has her share of quirks and unique personality traits. An adrenaline junky and thrill seeker with a sarcastic sense of humor, Elise is always looking for action.

The website mentions that Elise hangs out at the cantina in Borderline. Is Borderline a planet, a city, or any kind of significant place in the story of EXODUS, or just the name of the cantina?
Borderline is a neighborhood in the city of Persepolis, one of the major metropolitan areas in the world of Lidon, where the story of EXODUS begins.



The website refers to Elise being a “Sleeper.” Can you tell us more about what it means to be a Sleeper?
“Sleepers” is the name given to ark ship passengers who spent their entire journey in cryotubes in a state of semi-hibernation to conserve resources during the generations-long trip across the galaxy. Unfortunately, prolonged cryosleep had the unexpected side effect of fragmented memory loss, and most Sleepers can only remember bits and pieces of their past.


Elise seems like a cool character; is there any significance to her tattoos?
For Elise, her tattoos represent the part of her life that she has lost; a visible reminder of what she once was but no longer remembers. She understands there is a significance attached to them, and she feels powerful emotions when she contemplates them. But the precise details of each tattoo – when she acquired it, or what specific meaning it once had - elude her, lost in the haze of her fragmented memories.

 

[Cohesion]

 

[Morgoth]

TIME DILATION IN EXODUS™: THE EMOTIONAL SACRIFICE OF THE TRAVELERS​

March 19, 2024
|
Archetype Entertainment

Fleeing a dying Earth via ark ships in the 23rd century, our ancestors’ emotional journey stands as a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. Journeying at near lightspeed in search of new worlds to settle, time itself slowed to a crawl; we weren’t just traveling in space but sprinting into the future.


As our ancestors traversed thousands of lightyears, countless ships vanished into the abyss—swallowed by the vast emptiness of space. But a lucky (or fateful) few reached the CENTAURI Cluster, where there were hundreds of habitable words, and sent out the Green Signal – a message calling all humanity to come join them. The other ark ships heeded the message.


As we sailed on the edge of lightspeed, the consequences of time dilation exacted a cost. Although the trip to Centauri took only decades for those still on the ark ships, tens of thousands of years passed for the people who sent the Green Signal. Over this time, these early voyagers established empires and evolved into species as varied as the stars in the sky. They were barely recognizable as human, now known only to us as… CELESTIALS.


Not only did these hyper-advanced Celestials see us as primitives by the time we reached Centauri, but we were relegated to backwater worlds: isolated, ostracized, and controlled by our evolved ancestors. Our sole beacon of hope? The TRAVELERS – courageous explorers who journey the stars, unearthing ancient and powerful technologies on the dead worlds of extinct Celestial civilizations.


For the life of a Traveler, time becomes your enemy, a force you cannot see or escape - a concept distorted by the unfathomable speeds at which you traverse through space. What may seem like mere hours or days to you can equate to years, even decades, passing for those you leave behind. With each Exodus, you are confronted not only by the dangers that lie waiting for you across this universe but also by the emotional toll of your absence on those you love. Each choice you make while you are traveling on your interstellar missions is magnified by the reality of time dilation, and the cost and consequences are often paid by your entire civilization… and the friends and family you left behind.


At the center of each Exodus mission lies The Pathways—an interstellar transportation network accessed only via the Gates of Heaven. Massive artifacts constructed and maintained by mysterious, hyper-advanced beings called the Elohim, The Gates of Heaven are a technological marvel that enables us to explore worlds beyond the reach of conventional spacecraft.


Yet, amidst the dangers and immense toll your journeys extract, a sense of purpose exists that propels you and your companions further into the unknown. The Celestial artifacts that you are searching for hold the power of both creation and destruction. Uncovering just one of them could completely change the course of an entire civilization. Over the passing millennia, you will observe the immense impact that your choices have on your descendants, your world, and humanity as a whole.


That’s the price you pay for being a Traveler.

Ending be like "Can't we just all get along???"

 

[just]

everytime i read the word dilation, i chuckle, cringe, then close the tab