Has D&D abandoned fantasy for science fiction? No, but Wizards has gone all in on a new property called Exodus, and I have this beautiful book to prove it.
You see, several years ago, then-Wizards CEO Chris Cocks poured tons of money into the formation of a new company, Archetype Entertainment, to create a triple-A video game. He brought in the creators behind Baldur’s Gate and Mass Effect, gave them what is seemingly a blank check, and the result is Exodus. You’ve been watching some of the early-released footage from the video game.
Exodus is More than a Video Game
But this new property has gone beyond a video game. There is a 900-page novel by author Peter F. Hamilton. There are episodes of the Amazon Prime show Secret Level, set in the Exodus universe. Voiceovers feature Matthew McConaughey. And now, there is a tabletop role-playing game—and even an actual play show on YouTube.
I’ve been following the development of the Exodus video game for a while because I’m a sucker for all things science fiction. I joined their email list, and a few months ago, when I saw there was going to be a TTRPG, I threw my money at them instantly. Now, I have it in my hands.
D&D-like RPG System
I assumed the role-playing game would be very similar to D&D 5e, which it is. This makes sense because developing an entirely new RPG ruleset is a massive undertaking. There are the familiar ability scores, Origins instead of Backgrounds, and Classes, Hit Points, and Armor Class. Tests are resolved by rolling a d20 plus a modifier, just like in D&D. However, the system has been pared down and simplified. I’m still reading the book, so I may do a more comprehensive look into the system in another video. Let me know in the comments if you’d like that.
Exodus TTRPG
So, just quickly—the only playable species is human, because every civilization in Exodus is human-based, even though some have evolved into nearly unrecognizable aliens. You select an Origin—either an Archaeologist, Criminal, Detective, Grifter, Hotshot, Inventor, Soldier, or Spy. Then you become what is called a Traveler, and you select your class from these four:
- Cataphract – controls mechs
- Daemon – bonded with a mysterious being
- Prodigy – uses ancient tech
- Ranger – has a loyal awakened animal companion
I love archaeology and I love awakened animals—I even put them in my novel. I already know I’m making an archaeologist Ranger. But what sealed the deal is that there’s an illustration in the rulebook of a Ranger riding a giant awakened frog. I’m so in. That’s my character right there.
Exodus Game Time Dilation
Another key aspect of Exodus is time dilation. It’s going to play a huge part in the video game, and it’s included in the tabletop game as well. When a Traveler leaves on a mission, only a few days or a week may pass for them, but they return to find a decade or more has passed for their loved ones. The tabletop game provides mechanics for playing this out. A world of great role-playing opportunities has been opened. Time dilation stories work best when the tragic element is emphasized. Staying young while your spouse or children grow old is heartbreaking. Imagine the scenes you could have with a player character who meets their son, now thirty years older than them.
As I mentioned, there’s a lot more here, including gear and skills, but I’m still reading the book. What astonishes me is the amount of lore and the depth to which they’ve created the fictional universe of Exodus. It will be fascinating to see how the video game is received when it launches. Everything hinges on that being a success.
How to Get the Exodus Role-Playing Game
If you want to buy the tabletop game, you’d better hurry—they’re only selling it on the Exodus website. I’ve provided links below. Also, you’ll find a link to my newsletter, The Dicegeeks Insider. Subscribe for GM tips, RPG news, and more Exodus coverage.
Keep gaming!