EXODUS Founders Q&A Video | April 2025

Summary

In this Founders Q&A session with Archetype Entertainment, Chad Robertson, General Manager, introduces key team members Drew Karpyshyn, Narrative Director, and Jesse Sky, Creative Director on EXODUS. They delve into the game’s rich narrative, exploring complex topics such as time dilation, interstellar travel, the impact of player choices, and unique alien species like the Mara Yama and Changelings. The team discusses the significance of relationships, the Rot phenomenon affecting technology, and the evolution of EXODUS’ vision, highlighting its mix of personal and epic storytelling. Fans can expect deep, meaningful choices and rare outcomes, shaping their journey in this vast sci-fi universe.

Takeaways

• 😀 The game EXODUS starts on a personal level, focusing on the player's connection with their homeworld before expanding into an epic story.
• 😀 EXODUS will feature Awakened Companions, intelligent animals that play a significant role in the game, but players won’t control them directly.
• 😀 The Mara Yama and Changelings are two distinct species in EXODUS, with the Changelings being genetically engineered beings created by the Celestials.
• 😀 EXODUS features both structured story missions and open exploration, with choices that impact the player's journey.
• 😀 The Rot is a mysterious and unstoppable force that degrades Celestial technology and threatens the player's homeworld.
• 😀 The game will feature various Celestial civilizations and cultures, including the Crown Dominion and the Mara Yama, who take an interest in humanity's progress.
• 😀 Players will encounter different Traveler Dynasties, each with their own principles and agendas, affecting the game's story and choices.
• 😀 Players' relationships, including romantic and alliance-based relationships, will significantly influence the story's progression and outcomes.
• 😀 EXODUS incorporates a rich, dynamic story with choices that affect both the player's homeworld and the larger galaxy, emphasizing the impact of decisions over time.
• 😀 The story of EXODUS blends elements of heroism, tragedy, romance, and comedy, aiming to reflect the complexity of the human experience.
• 😀 The game includes rare outcomes and hidden secrets that players can discover, making each playthrough unique based on their choices and actions.

Q & A

What is the central theme of EXODUS, as described in the Q&A?

The central theme of EXODUS revolves around the hero's journey, beginning with humble origins and evolving into a grand epic. The game explores humanity's potential for growth and the complexities of leadership, choice, and conflict within a vast and evolving universe.

How will players' choices impact the world of EXODUS?

Player choices in EXODUS will have significant consequences, particularly on their homeworld, where the civilization can evolve or deteriorate based on decisions made throughout the game. This includes interactions with other Travelers, relationships, and decisions regarding how to handle the Rot, which threatens the world's survival.

Can players interact with Awakened creatures in the game?

While players will not be able to play as an Awakened, they will have Awakened companions and encounter various supporting characters. These creatures, which are intelligent animals with their own motives, provide a unique perspective on humanity’s role in the universe.

What is the 'Rot' and how does it affect the player?

The Rot is a powerful, mysterious phenomenon that causes Celestial technology to degrade and malfunction. It poses a direct threat to the player’s homeworld, slowly bringing it toward destruction unless the player finds a way to combat it. The Rot will also influence gameplay, particularly in how players traverse levels and interact with the world.

Will EXODUS feature relationships that impact the story?

Yes, relationships, including romantic and alliance-based ones, will play a crucial role in EXODUS. The choices players make regarding these relationships, especially with influential characters on their homeworld, will significantly affect the course of the story and how it unfolds.

How does time dilation affect the game's narrative and gameplay?

Time dilation is a key concept in EXODUS, as it explains how different civilizations, like the Celestials, evolved at different speeds due to traveling through space at different rates. This creates an intriguing dynamic in the game, where the player’s homeworld may experience different rates of progression compared to other civilizations.

What kind of creatures, aside from the Mara Yama, will players encounter in the game?

Players will encounter various Celestial species, including Changelings, which are genetically engineered beings created by the Celestials for specific tasks like colonizing hostile worlds. These Changelings are central to the game's exploration of genetic modification and its impact on identity and humanity.

How is traveling structured in EXODUS?

Traveling in EXODUS is a mix of linear story missions and open exploration. Players will take on missions that involve exploring ancient Celestial history, local star systems, and distant galaxies. While the game is not a sandbox, it offers players the opportunity to choose the order of certain missions and side quests.

Are there any rare outcomes or hidden paths in EXODUS?

Yes, EXODUS will feature rare outcomes and hidden paths that only a small percentage of players are likely to uncover. These hidden gems, influenced by player choices, will offer unique experiences and stories, which could differ significantly from others based on the paths taken during the game.

What is the role of Dynasties in EXODUS?

Dynasties are groups of people who share a Traveler's beliefs and systems, supporting them on their journey. These Dynasties help the player shape their homeworld's future by ensuring it evolves according to the player’s vision. Dynasties are often in conflict with each other, adding complexity to the story and choices players face.