Exodus: Event Horizon

Module Interactions: Part One.
about 7 years ago – Sat, Feb 25, 2017 at 11:15:25 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen!

As the number of elements you can customize your Event Horizon grows, you might be wondering how different modules interact. To give you a bit of an idea, here's the first of two updates in which Rainer covers the topic.

Enjoy the read, and have a great Saturday!

Module Interactions

Exodus: Event Horizon is comprised of 10 different modules and two full scenarios, one of which is divided into three separate game modes — cooperative, semi-cooperative, and solo.

The modular concept has, of course, been around for a while and has been used by many other games in the past. There are several pros and cons to modular expansions.

Pros:

• You, the player, can freely mix and match the modules to customize the experience exactly to your liking.
• The modules can be introduced gradually, thereby making the rules easier to learn and remember.
• More variety, more options, more replayability.

Cons:

• If the designer is not careful, modules can inadvertently overlap, affecting the same game play aspect in incompatible ways.
• Some modules may work great independently, but not when combined with others (and vice versa).
• The risk of adding complexity at a faster rate than the added modules enhance the game experience.
• Sometimes modules alter or remove basic mechanisms in favor of introducing new ones.

I will go on record saying that Event Horizon manages to take advantage of all the pros of modularity, while completely avoiding all of the cons. Of course, the cons are avoidable, through careful design and thorough play testing.

Hundreds upon hundreds of hours have been poured into Exodus: Event Horizon, in order to make it the best expansion it can be. The final product was considered every step of the way. Rules were written alongside development of game mechanisms. Design, development, proof-reading, editing, play testing, feedback, editing, additional development, more editing, more play testing, more feedback, more development, etc., etc., etc. …

Independent module design

Each module, from initial concept to final version, was designed and developed as a stand-alone module. No module was ever designed or developed with the idea of what it might add to the game if combined with modules X and Y. Each module can stand on its own, or alongside the others. It doesn’t matter if you will play with one, some, none, or all of the modules introduced in Event Horizon. Together, they form a seamless whole. Removing one does not create a void or leave the game experience lopsided.

Event Horizon as a whole

Direct module interaction has been limited to the Game Setup section of each module. This ensures that you never have re-learn any rules when mixing and matching modules with one another! The modules never overlap or interact with the same game element or game mechanism at the same time! There are no awkward instances where an effect or ability will have unintended results!

Let us examine the case of Centaurian Outposts (M3), Exploration (M4), and New Planets (M5).

As you may recall from previous updates:

• Centaurian Outposts adds Outpost tokens to every planet except players’ starting planets.
• Exploration has all hexes, except for the central hex and players’ Home Planets, begin play face down.
• New Planets adds new planet types to those used in the game.

In the Game Setup rules for Exploration (M4) we therefore read:

Then, in the Game Setup rules for New Planets (M5) we read:

Now, this may be an extreme example. Fortunately, it is also the only such example! Should you need a quick reminder, simply refer to individual module rules during game setup, knowing that everything is covered there.

The Big Box Research
about 7 years ago – Fri, Feb 24, 2017 at 08:16:47 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen!

This time we're taking a small step away from talking strictly about Event Horizon, to tell you more about a possibility we're currently exploring. As previous backers of NSKN Games' projects can attest to, we greatly value your input and feedback.

This is just a short update to let you know that we have requested quotes from the manufacturer to determine if we can provide a bigger box for the Event Horizon expansion. Such a box would allow you to store all game components from the base game and both expansions.

Additionally, we have been hard at work on something else that many of you have been asking for — a small and consolidated player aid. This player aid would contain all key game turn stages and steps from the base game and both expansions, clearly marked to help players know where certain steps happen, and which ones depend on certain modules, etc.

We hope to have more details on both of these items soon, but still wanted to let you know what we are working on and that your feedback makes a difference. Please note that we are still at the exploratory stage, and although we are hoping to have good news for you, the final outcome is yet far from certainty.

We are always interested to hear your voice, so if you have any comments on questions, please be sure the share them with us here, and, as always, have a great day!

The Event Horizon
about 7 years ago – Thu, Feb 23, 2017 at 09:25:17 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Would you like to know how the name Exodus: Event Horizon came to be? Would you like to know more about the titular scenario? If at least one of the answers is "yes", than we've got a treat for you today :-)

Event Horizon

The name Event Horizon was the working title for this expansion from the very beginning, as early as November of 2015, when only 3 modules had been remotely imagined.

Why? Not sure. The name seemed natural and thematic, and it sounded good.

In science, an event horizon is the “surface” of a black hole, the boundary beyond which nothing can escape from within it. Occasionally, though far less commonly, the term event horizon is used to describe an especially impactful event, a “point of no return” beyond which nothing will ever be the same again.

Being the name for this expansion, the name has certainly gained several different meanings over time. The sudden return of the Centaurians was certainly an event horizon that forever changed the story of Exodus, an event which could possibly spell permanent extinction of humanity. The name printed on the Centaurian Stronghold is “Horizon” (albeit written in an alien type font). And so forth …

But, somehow, it would feel wrong not to build a scenario around the scientific meaning of an event horizon.

Oh, wait! The actual Proxima Centauri star is not massive enough to transition from a star to a black hole. It will never go supernova. Instead, in its post‐main‐sequence phases, a small red dwarf like Proxima Centauri will grow hotter while remaining physically small as it transitions to a blue dwarf. Eventually, as the fuel runs out, the star will slowly fade away as a white dwarf. Oops!

Event Horizon … the scenario

As you may recall from the information provided about the Centaurian Stronghold scenario, all modules are compatible with that scenario, except the Proxima Centauri module.Additionally, the Centaurian Stronghold scenario can only be played cooperatively, semi-cooperatively, or solo.

The Event Horizon scenario specifically makes use of the Proxima Centauri module. Additionally, this scenario represents a new challenge mode for competitive play in Exodus: Proxima Centauri.

A quick reminder about the Proxima Centauri module:

The 6 planet hexes immediately adjacent to the Proxima Centauri hex are affected by Solar Wind. A player who has researched relevant Technologies can take advantage of the Solar Wind to increase the combat prowess of their ships.

When combined with second-tier cannons and shields, the Solar Booster Technologies will keep your ships on par with ships equipped with top-tier cannons and shields, but only in the vicinity of the star. Cost wise, you end up paying more CP than Phasium for the same relative power. On the other hand, top-tier Upgrades will function anywhere on the board.

Of course, top-tier cannons and shields, when combined with Solar Booster Technologies, are unmatched in strength among ships, and deservedly so, considering the premium cost paid for such power.

In general terms — all rules for Exodus: Proxima Centauri remain unchanged. If you are playing with Edge of Extinction or Event Horizon, all those rules also remain unchanged.

There is just one significant difference when playing Event Horizon scenario — while the maximum number of Turns remains unchanged, the game may, somewhat unexpectedly, end sooner.

At the end of each Turn, you will add 1 Star Evolution token to the central Proxima Centauri hex. If there are two or more tokens on the hex (meaning, at any point after Turn 2), you will then roll a die. If the result is equal to or less than the number of Star Evolution tokens in play, the star evolves. In other words — the further the game progresses, the more likely it is that Proxima Centauri will evolve.

The first time Proxima Centauri evolves, Increased Heat tokens will be placed on each of the 6 planet hexes immediately adjacent to the Proxima Centauri hex. From now on, Solar Wind also affects all hexes immediately adjacent to any hex with an Increased Heat token.

The second time Proxima Centauri evolves, the game immediately ends!

In a standard game, there is a small chance (11%) that the game will end immediately at the end of Turn 3. However, most games will last 6 or 7 Turns. Even if the game plays for the full 7 Turns, Proxima Centauri is guaranteed to evolve at least once.

Until Proxima Centauri evolves the first time, remember that at least 2 more Turns will remain. This means that the end of the game will never come as a complete surprise.

It's full of... Energy?
about 7 years ago – Wed, Feb 22, 2017 at 06:03:11 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Today Rainer talks about a module that is one of the simplest, but still significant. Plus, there's some extra more general info that you may find quite interesteing.

As always, enjoy the read and have a great day!

Energy Barriers

During play testing, this module was met with a fairly consistent “that’s cool, but … what exactly does it do?”

Energy Barriers originated as a purely thematic addition to the Exodus experience — pockets of dangerous electromagnetic energy that dot the space between sectors.

I always envisioned the various board hexes as planetary neighborhoods, separated by unspecified vastness of space.

Look at our own solar system. We talk about Earth being the third planet, then comes Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, etc. We talk about the planets as if they are somewhat next to each other …

The reality, however, is that the planets are so far apart that most of us cannot even grasp the vast distances that separate them.

Sun > Earth = 92.96 million miles (149.6 million km)

Earth > Jupiter = 365 million miles (588 million km)

Did you know that our own solar system is home to:

1 star
8 planets
5 dwarf planets
181 moons
552894 asteroids
3083 comets

Certainly a 30+ planetary system in the Proxima Centauri neighborhood would also be filled with marvelous wonder!

At one point or another, asteroids and comets were contemplated, but ultimately found to be a poor fit. Either, the rules would be too complicated for something too boring and uneventful, or their impact would be too great and swingy, without really adding any positive experience to the game. Moving objects like asteroids and comets, while cool in theory, were not going to work.

Random pockets of energy are far more common in sci-fi films than they are in reality. However, since Exodus: Proxima Centauri is not claiming to be an exercise in scientific simulation, such pockets of energy would make for a good fit in the game as well.

First of all, while the Energy Barriers definitely “do something”, they do not impact the game enough to overshadow their thematic value.

In fact, there are two alternate setup options — a draft (of sort) where the players choose where the Energy Barriers are placed or a completely random setup.

No matter which method you choose, each Energy Barrier will be placed on the border between two hexes somewhere on the board. There are a few simply rules governing initial placement:

• Home Planet hexes cannot be bordered by Energy Barriers.
• No hex can be bordered by more than a single Energy Barrier.
• An Energy Barrier cannot be placed along the outer edge of the board.

Once placed, the Energy Barriers remain stationary for the rest of the game.

Personally, I prefer the random setup. I like how the thematic value is enhanced, without detrimental impact on the game.

So, what do these Energy Barriers do?

Well, they are minor obstacles in space. If a ship passes through an Energy Barrier, it suffers 1 damage. (Exception: Dark Raiders can pass through the Barrier without taking any damage.) Additionally, when counting the distance for Rockets (WMDs), each Energy Barrier the Rocket must pass through increases the total distance by 1.

That’s it. There is some impact on game play, but nothing so great that you cannot choose to include them simply for their thematic value.

Jump Gates, Communication Satellites, and Energy Barriers … individually, neither module is going to greatly alter the game. This is by design. Individually, no module should be so impactful that it threatens the overall Exodus experience. Together, however, there is plenty of room for memorable moments and experiences.

“I can’t believe I was able to rebuild my fleet and rush out to help us defeat the Centaurian Stronghold! Without my Jump Gate, it would have taken us another round, with more Warship Squadrons to defeat as well.”

“Aah! If I only had built that Communication Satellite! One more damage … ONE MORE DAMAGE, and I could have defeated that Strong Resistance!”

“I am so lucky that Energy Barrier is there! You now have to either move around the Barrier — in which case your War Cruiser cannot reach me — or fly through it — in which case your War Cruiser will instead suffer its last point of damage and be destroyed before combat even begins!”

These are all moments that happened during play testing. No, neither module ever determined the outcome of the game. But they helped write the story and helped enhance the overall game experience.

The rules are simple enough for you to always include Jump Gates, Communication Satellites, and Energy Barriers. The way these modules interact with the game and each other, there will be some form of impact. Whether the impact is going to be purely thematic or one of these modules makes an actual difference in your game — time will tell.

Communication is Key
about 7 years ago – Tue, Feb 21, 2017 at 10:09:18 PM

Ladies and Gentlemen!

Word can travel really fast in the Exodus universe, especially with Communication Satelites. If you want to know more (and win battles, as knowing is half the battle), Rainer has all details in the update below.

Enjoy and have a great day!

Communication Satellites

Like Jump Gates, Communication Satellites are utility structures which can be created with a Build Ships Action. The same building restrictions apply here: you may not build more than 1 Communication Satellite per Build Ships Action and they do not count as ships.

The first Satellite you build must be placed on your Home Planet hex. Each subsequent Satellite must be placed adjacent to a hex where you already have a Satellite. Once placed, Communication Satellites never move and cannot be destroyed.

The owner of the Satellite deals +1 damage when involved in combat which takes place in the hex. Additionally, the owner of the Satellite receives a +1 bonus to range when launching any WMD from that specific hex.

Communication Satellites serve an obvious defensive purpose, since they must first be built on your home planet. On the other hand, since the first Communication Satellite must be built on your home planet, you will most likely only benefit from its bonus to WMDs, if at all. This may discourage some players from building that first Satellite.

Remember, however — if you never build that first Satellite, you cannot build a second, or third …

The more Satellites you have, the more useful they are.

How will you use them? Will you set up a defensive Satellite network around your home planet? Will you string them along as you towards the center of the board? Will you use them more aggressively, as a boost to help attack (or defend against) your neighbors? Will you mainly use the Communication Satellites for their combat bonus, or will you also use them along with WMDs for a more aggressive approach, perhaps even as a deterrent against your opponents?

Jump Gates become more useful at higher player counts. Communication Satellites will become less useful at higher player counts (since they can only be placed in somewhat close proximity to your Home Planet). Together, they cater to a variety of play styles, especially for seasoned players.