Exodus: Wizards’ Ambitious AAA Video Game Bet Expands into a TTRPG

Archetype Entertainment, part of the Wizards of the Coast family that’s famous for Dungeons & Dragons, has just pulled back the curtain on a brand-new tabletop role-playing game set in its cutting-edge sci-fi RPG universe, Exodus. Interestingly, this news aligns with recent plans shared by Hasbro’s CEO, Chris Cocks, who told Bloomberg about their strategy to roll out one or two games every year in the coming seasons. Looks like Exodus is gearing up for its time in the spotlight.

Led by a team of seasoned developers from BioWare — the minds behind classics like Baldur’s Gate, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and the Mass Effect series — Exodus first made waves with an eye-catching cinematic trailer at The Game Awards 2023. Hosted by none other than Matthew McConaughey, the trailer set the stage for a fresh take on sci-fi RPGs, weaving in themes of time dilation from cosmic voyages, a nod to the intrigue sparked by Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar (McConaughey’s cameo makes much sense now). However, since that initial burst of excitement, fans have been left scouring bits and pieces for more insights. The game’s official website tends to focus more on worldbuilding and the creative minds behind it. In contrast, Peter F. Hamilton’s tie-in novel, released earlier this year, adds some narrative depth to the universe.

The tabletop edition is being teased as a “special limited time offer” aimed at folks who join Archetype’s “founders” email list. Anyone signing up by December 10 will be in with a chance to grab an early version of the rulebook. So far, the only substantial clue about the Exodus tabletop RPG is that it’s crafted by James Ohlen. He’s renowned for his role in designing fan-favorites like Baldur’s Gate 1 and 2, Neverwinter Nights, and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Beyond an enticing cover image and a few vague snippets about exploring the Exodus universe, playing “the Traveler,” and tackling time dilation, much about the game’s look and mechanics remains a mystery.

It’s become something of a pattern for major IP-based games to launch tabletop versions, often as part of a strategy to build excitement for crowdfunding or preorders. Take Neopets RPG, for instance, which managed to rally hundreds of thousands of dollars even before showcasing any gameplay mechanics on their Kickstarter page.

Time will tell if this ambitious project will hit the mark. As Wizards of the Coast’s first significant foray outside the Dungeons & Dragons realm since Gamma World, the Exodus tabletop RPG is stepping into relatively unexplored territory right now.

As for Exodus itself, it’s heading to PlayStation 5, Windows PC, and Xbox Series X. However, despite all the buzz, the release date remains under wraps.