The Innovative Gameplay Concept
Exodus is an upcoming sci-fi action-adventure role-playing game that promises to revolutionize the gaming genre with its innovative gameplay concept. The project is currently in development by Archetype Entertainment, a new studio founded by former BioWare employees, such as industry veterans James Ohlen and Drew Karpyshyn. Ohlen, most known for his role as lead designer for the first two Baldur’s Gate games, the original Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age: Origins, and Karpyshyn for being lead writer of both Mass Effect 1 and 2. These two names being tied to the project alone have been enough to get fans of their previous work interested in seeing how they can push the limits of the medium with Exodus.
In a Q&A video by the game’s development team, Ohlen confirmed that Exodus will feature multiple endings affected by time dilation, allowing players to make choices that span years, decades, and centuries. 'Time dilation, and how it impacts the choices you make, is the core of the game.' This innovative feature could add a level of immersion unlike anything ever before seen in the genre.
Time dilation is essentially the difference between how time is perceived by one observer compared to another, dependent on their relative motion or gravitational field positions. This is fitting as a core game mechanic in Exodus because it focuses heavily on space travel, with the game’s tagline even being “Become the Traveler.”
Cinematic Influence and Inspirations
Exodus draws inspiration from Christopher Nolan’s film Interstellar, which is a story that revolves around the trippiness of space travel and time dilation. It will be interesting to see how such a cerebral narrative concept translates to the medium of video games. The star of Interstellar, Matthew McConaughey, was even the one to come out on stage and announce the project at the 2023 Game Awards. McConaughey also confirmed that he will star in Exodus, though it’s currently unknown what kind of role he will have in the game.
With exemplary cinematic influence and an innovative gameplay concept, Exodus has the potential to redefine the genre once again. The game promises to offer an immersive experience that blurs the lines between reality and the virtual world, drawing players into a world where their choices have far-reaching consequences over extended periods of time.
The Future of RPG Gaming
Exodus is set to introduce a new era of RPG gaming, offering players the opportunity to witness the consequences of their choices over incredibly long periods of time. The game's time dilation feature will allow players to make decisions that will impact the game world for years, decades, and centuries. This innovative approach to storytelling and gameplay has the potential to redefine the RPG genre and set new standards for immersive gaming experiences.
While there is currently no known release window for Exodus, industry veterans at the helm, exemplary cinematic influence, and an innovative gameplay concept make it a highly anticipated title. With development underway for PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X, Exodus has the potential to captivate players and redefine the RPG genre once again.