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.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Based on the novel...imagine taking Mass Effect, and then add in the sorts of Setting features behind AD&D style Gygaxian adventuring (plentiful ruined dungeons with "magic" to loot, a class of bold adventurers who do so to make a living, Points of Light in a hostile galaxy, etc.)

And a healthy helping of Interstellar (Time Dilation/Dying Earth) and transhumanism.

 

[Parmandur]

And a healthy helping of Interstellar (Time Dilation/Dying Earth) and transhumanism.

Yeah, lot of Dan Simmons Hyperion/Illinois sort of vibes, and it seems Peter F. Hamilton's pre-gane work was a major influence though I am not familiar with it. More inspired by serious gonzo literary sci-fi than big film or TV properties.

 

[Azzy]

And a healthy helping of Interstellar (Time Dilation/Dying Earth) and transhumanism.

My introduction, decades ago (I'm getting too old), to the concept was Carl Sagan's touching upon it briefly in Cosmos, and the anime Gunbuster (where time dilation is a big part of the plot).

 

[Henadic Theologian]

No trailer or anything at the game awards, I was surprised and disappointed.

 

[BovineofWar]

Based on the novel...imagine taking Mass Effect, and then add in the sorts of Setting features behind AD&D style Gygaxian adventuring (plentiful ruined dungeons with "magic" to loot, a class of bold adventurers who do so to make a living, Points of Light in a hostile galaxy, etc.)

Thanks again for the recommendation. I'm half way through and enjoying it!

No trailer or anything at the game awards, I was surprised and disappointed.

Same here. I suspect it's because it's not going to be a 2025 title, which I'm also slightly disappointed at.

 

[Jensaarai]

There were a few clips put out on the website, but man is it kinda convoluted trying to find anything on there... ^_^"

One was about "Cataphracts", a sort of order of neo-knights in large mecha-suits, who've become major celebrities in their society over the centuries for good and ill.

The second was about the Daemons mentioned before, the people who bonded to the Silicate organism/technology (?), and how certain governments will deploy bio-weapons called "Changelings" as assassins to take them out if they're caught selling/trading Silicate Eggs.

 

[Parmandur]

No trailer or anything at the game awards, I was surprised and disappointed.

Yeah, given the (relative) flurry of promotion the past few months sort of expected something...still expect theybwill have something more concrete soon.

But the longer theybare cooking, the odds of the game being solid increase, so no complaints from me.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

Based on the novel...imagine taking Mass Effect, and then add in the sorts of Setting features behind AD&D style Gygaxian adventuring (plentiful ruined dungeons with "magic" to loot, a class of bold adventurers who do so to make a living, Points of Light in a hostile galaxy, etc.)

I'll add room for Shadowrun style raids against corporations well, so it has versatility as well. Explore ruined planets for tech, or fight space pirates/aggressive celestials, raid corporate and other entities, get sucked into human, changeling, and Celestial politics, maybe search for Elohim and their secrets, lots of directions you can go in with this setting, or a mix, it all fits nearly and logically together.

 

[Henadic Theologian]

There were a few clips put out on the website, but man is it kinda convoluted trying to find anything on there... ^_^"

One was about "Cataphracts", a sort of order of neo-knights in large mecha-suits, who've become major celebrities in their society over the centuries for good and ill.

The second was about the Daemons mentioned before, the people who bonded to the Silicate organism/technology (?), and how certain governments will deploy bio-weapons called "Changelings" as assassins to take them out if they're caught selling/trading Silicate Eggs.

I think the bioweapons are only one kind of changeling, there are other kinds.

 

[gban007]

There were a few clips put out on the website, but man is it kinda convoluted trying to find anything on there... ^_^"

One was about "Cataphracts", a sort of order of neo-knights in large mecha-suits, who've become major celebrities in their society over the centuries for good and ill.

The second was about the Daemons mentioned before, the people who bonded to the Silicate organism/technology (?), and how certain governments will deploy bio-weapons called "Changelings" as assassins to take them out if they're caught selling/trading Silicate Eggs.

If I read / understood right, it was suggested that these could be two potential outcomes you could see, where only one or the other would occur depending on your actions, and given the continual time skipping effects you're facing due to time dilation at speeds you are going at, you will see / encounter the long term effects of what you're doing.
I'm wondering if with the secret level episode coming out next week, whether we may see more trailers etc then. Would be good to get idea of gameplay soon.