Draft:Exodus (video game)

• Comment: "The narrative delves into themes of ambition, loyalty, and moral decision-making, offering players the opportunity to align with or oppose different factions and individuals. The game’s rich tapestry of characters, both human and alien, forms the core of the story, with each choice made by the player shaping the future of the galaxy." cmon. We're not an advertising vehicle for the game. Tighten up the language throughout, and maybe re-submit when there's some reviews in when it's released. qcne (talk) 22:17, 22 January 2025 (UTC)

• Comment: Lacking in WP:NVG criteria. No release date (or approx.) published. Require inclusion of additional sources. QEnigma talk 15:38, 26 December 2024 (UTC)

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Exodus
Developer(s)	Archetype Entertainment
Publisher(s)	Wizards of the Coast
Producer(s)	James Ohlen Chad Robertson
Writer(s)	Peter F. Hamilton Drew Karpyshyn
Engine	Unreal Engine 5
Platform(s)	PlayStation 5 Windows Xbox Series X/S
Release	2025-2026
Genre(s)	Science fiction Role-playing game
Mode(s)	Single-player

Exodus is an upcoming science fiction role-playing game developed by Archetype Entertainment, a studio founded by former BioWare developers James Ohlen, Chad Robertson, and Drew Karpyshyn, and published by Wizards of the Coast. The game is set in the far future within the Omega Centauri cluster, a richly detailed region of space designed to immerse players in a story-driven experience with themes of exploration, survival, and moral complexity. It is the first game to be developed by Archetype Entertainment since its founding in 2019.

The game gained significant attention following its reveal at The Game Awards in December 2023, where a cinematic trailer introduced the dark and suspenseful tone of the game's universe. Among its highlights is the involvement of Academy Award-winning actor Matthew McConaughey, who voices C.C. Orlev, a pivotal and enigmatic character. The overarching theme of the game is time dilation due to ultrarelativistic travel and its ramifications pertaining to interpersonal interactions, technological advancement, and other subjects.

Exodus is part of Hasbro’s broader initiative to expand its footprint in the video game industry, alongside projects tied to other popular franchises such as G.I. Joe and Dungeons & Dragons. The game’s universe has also been expanded through supplemental media, including a novel titled Exodus: The Archimedes Engine by acclaimed author Peter F. Hamilton.

Exodus is set to release for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S. Though no official release date has been announced, the game is expected to launch in late 2025 to early 2026.

Setting and characters

Exodus is set in the far future, within the Omega Centauri cluster, a region of space approximately 16,000 light-years away containing roughly ten million densely-packed stars. By the time the novel takes place, in 42,350 CE, more than a million habitable planets have been discovered within the cluster.

Around 2200 CE, Earth faced an environmental collapse due to climate change, which led humanity to launch the Exodus. This initiative saw large fleets of ark ships sent out in search of a new home among the stars. Several of these ark fleets reached the Centauri Cluster around 18,000 CE, where they discovered hundreds of densely packed star systems, beginning the Dawn Era. Many of these systems were found to have habitable planets, prompting the settlers to send out the “Green Worlds” signal to summon additional ships.

By 24,000 CE, the newly established colonies in the Centauri Cluster experienced a turbulent period marked by the rise and fall of interstellar empires. These empires were often in conflict, and the inhabitants, through advanced genetic engineering, quickly evolved and adapted to their harsh environments, branching off into different transhuman species known collectively as Celestials. By 30,000 AD, after the Formation Wars, a powerful celestial species known as the Elohim emerged. The Elohim constructed the Gates of Heaven, an interstellar network that linked all systems of Centauri and ushered in an era of exploration and trade.

Around 41,500 AD, a long-lost human ark fleet arrived in the Malakbel system and established a colony on the moon of Lidon. They built upon the ruins left by the Detenir, an extinct celestial civilization. Despite struggling for centuries, the colony found a leader in Orion Aslan, a human Traveler who emerged as their savior, helping the settlers survive and thrive.

The game’s narrative explores humanity’s continuing struggle for survival and expansion in the galaxy, focusing on the Travelers—a group of humans united in their pursuit of long-lost technological artifacts known as Remnants. One of the characters, C.C. Orlev, is a morally ambiguous figure whose motivations and loyalties remain unclear. Orlev plays a key role in the unfolding story, navigating political and personal alliances in the galaxy. His complex backstory of power, loss, and manipulation will challenge players’ notions of trust and survival.

In addition to Orlev, players will encounter various other characters, both allies and adversaries, each with their own backgrounds and goals. These characters’ relationships and actions will influence the player’s journey through the Omega Centauri cluster. The narrative delves into themes of ambition, loyalty, and moral decision-making, offering players the opportunity to align with or oppose different factions and individuals. The game’s rich tapestry of characters, both human and alien, forms the core of the story, with each choice made by the player shaping the future of the galaxy.

Development

Exodus is being developed by Archetype Entertainment, a studio founded by former BioWare veterans James Ohlen, Chad Robertson, and Drew Karpyshyn. These industry veterans are known for their significant contributions to role-playing games, particularly their work on the Mass Effect series and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic. Archetype Entertainment was established under the umbrella of Wizards of the Coast, which is a subsidiary of Hasbro.

The development of Exodus began shortly after Archetype Entertainment's formation, with the goal of creating a deep, story-driven role-playing game set in a vast, immersive science fiction universe. The team drew inspiration from classic RPGs, as well as contemporary games, with a focus on narrative complexity, player choice, and world-building. The project attracted attention early on due to its pedigree, with high expectations for its rich storytelling and expansive universe.

The game’s universe is being shaped by a mix of established science fiction themes and new ideas, with notable contributions from renowned authors and consultants. Among the key figures in the development of Exodus is science fiction author Peter F. Hamilton, who serves as a creative consultant and writer for the game’s expanded universe. Hamilton, known for his work on large-scale space operas, is helping to develop the lore and backstory of the game, ensuring that its world is as intricate and detailed as possible.

Exodus is being developed using the Unreal Engine 5, which allows the team to create visually stunning environments and realistic character models. The game’s large-scale planetary exploration and space travel mechanics are a key feature, providing players with a sense of immersion and freedom as they explore the vast expanse of the Omega Centauri cluster. Advanced artificial intelligence is also being integrated into the game, with the goal of creating dynamic and engaging interactions with both allies and enemies.

The development team has emphasized the importance of player choice in shaping the narrative. Like the games that inspired them, Exodus is designed to offer multiple paths, with players’ decisions affecting the world around them, the fates of key characters, and the ultimate outcome of the story. The game will feature branching storylines, moral dilemmas, and a high degree of character interaction, making each playthrough a unique experience.

As of now, Exodus is in active development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Windows PC, though an official release date has yet to be announced.