Wizards of the Coast's Archetype Entertainment to Publish Exodus TTRPG Based on Upcoming Exodus Video Game

In something of a surprise, a video game division of Wizards of the Coast has announced plans to publish EXODUS Traveler’s Handbook, a new tabletop RPG based on their upcoming video game. Archetype Entertainment, a division of Wizards of the Coast, announced plans to publish the new rulebook, with details about the upcoming release found on Archetype's website. The book is being made available to followers of the upcoming game first, starting on December 11th. Details on how to get a copy of the limited quantity book can be found here.

EXODUS Traveler’s Handbook was designed by James Ohlen, who created Exodus and was previously designing tabletop RPG books via his Arcanum Worlds imprint prior to joining Wizards and Archetype Entertainment. Arcanum Worlds had published a 5E third party supplement called Odyssey of the Dragonlords and several D&D 5E supplements on the DMs Guild.

Exodus is a new sci-fi video game that deals with human space colonists fighting against the antagonistic descendants of humanity known as Celestials. The game involves time dilation in space travel, which is why there are both humans and their evolved futuristic descendants in the same game.

Currently, it is unclear whether the TTRPG version of Exodus will use some version of Dungeons & Dragons 5E or if it will be a bespoke new game system. EN World has reached out to Wizards for clarification.

A description of the new RPG can be found below:

• Celebrate with Us – This special FOUNDERS TTRPG edition was created by James Ohlen, the creative visionary behind the highly anticipated EXODUS video game.

• Explore the vast world of EXODUS – Face the challenges of this dark and dangerous futuristic world, set in the expanded universe of the EXODUS video game.

• Become the Traveler – Your destiny is to lead the Travelers, in the hunt to steal alien weapons and technology from the most powerful enemy in this universe – the Celestials.

• Confront Time Dilation – Choices you make create consequences changing the fate of those you love most – and reshaping the future of your entire civilization for generations.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

But it lo9ks just like every other sci-fi RPG we have seen in the last 10 years. Where is the innovation?

In the same way that all fantasy RPGs are the same.

 

[Parmandur]

More thoughts:

- there are now detailed 5E rules for combat drones as equipment.

- this is an E10 variant of 5E, all Classes go only to Level 10: makes sense frankly.

- there are a lot of guns, and different guns with different effects and Weapon Masteries. One assumes these are for the game, since each gun is lovingly illustrated, but the number of WotC published firearms has now increased by, like, tenfold.

 

[Parmandur]

Also of interest: there are three whole entirely seperste equipment chapters: a Human technology chapter, a Celestial Technology chapter...and a Remnant gonzo magitech item chapter.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

the number of WotC published firearms has now increased by, like, tenfold.

Does that mean we no longer need to use peasants to make a rail gun?

 

[Parmandur]

Does that mean we no longer need to use peasants to make a rail gun?

Nope, there are like a bunch of different rial guys in there, I'm pretty sure.

 

[Yaarel]

But it lo9ks just like every other sci-fi RPG we have seen in the last 10 years. Where is the innovation?

One innovation is, all "aliens" are humans.

This is totally cool. (And in my view, more realistic, as I am skeptical about sapient life beyond Earth. Someone has to be first, and I suspect we are they. Heh, this might be a pessimistic view of the universe, if humans are the smartest in the universe. But we should appreciate our rarity and preciousness.)

Humans will likely speciate technologically. (Biological anatomy is shaped artificially by choice, and communities are more like preferred internet website hangouts.)

 

[Reynard]

One innovation is, all "aliens" are humans.

This is totally cool. (And in my view, more realistic, as I am skeptical about sapient life beyond Earth.)

Humans will likely speciate technologically. (Biological anatomy is shaped artificially by choice, and communities are more like preferred internet website hangouts.)

I've been doing this for 25 years and I am not especially creative.

 

[Yaarel]

I've been doing this for 25 years and I am not especially creative.

Humans speciation. Yeah, Shannara books did some of this with trolls and gnomes from humans, albeit the elf was genuinely alien. (If I recall correctly.)

It is solid concept. Exodus does it well. It is kinda funny that "freezing" near the speed of light means that once the travelers reach their destination, humans left behind have already evolved way past the travelers, with better technology.

 

[Reynard]

Humans speciation. Yeah, Shannara books did some of this with trolls and gnomes from humans, albeit the elf was genuinely alien. (If I recall correctly.)

It is solid concept. Exodus does it well. It is kinda funny that "freezing" near the speed of light means that once the travelers reach their destination, humans left behind have already evolved way past the travelers, with better technology.

I am actually more interested in how they are playing with time dilation. What is that like?

 

[Jensaarai]

I am actually more interested in how they are playing with time dilation. What is that like?

I lay it out a bit in this post, but were there more details you were interested in?