EXODUS Sci-Fi AAA RPG Will Be Co-Developed by Certain Affinity

After a remarkable journey spanning nearly half a decade, Evil Empire, the talented minds behind the updates and expansions of the celebrated Dead Cells game, has decided to step back from its involvement with the title. Having contributed four DLC packs, 18 major updates, and successfully transitioned the game onto mobile platforms in cooperation with Playdigious, the studio is now embarking on fresh creative paths.

Through a heartfelt message on Twitter, the team expressed profound gratitude towards Motion Twin for the trust placed in them with Dead Cells and voiced their deep connection to the game’s community. The collaboration with players and the process of developing new content, followed by witnessing their reactions, was highlighted as a particularly fulfilling aspect of their journey.

As Evil Empire transitions away from Dead Cells, the studio teased an exciting future, hinting at secret projects currently in the works. They expressed excitement about revealing these new ventures soon, suggesting a fervent return to the drawing board for innovative game development.

One of the standout announcements at The Game Awards 2023 was EXODUS, the premiere undertaking of Archetype Entertainment. This Austin-based development team is spearheaded by BioWare alumnus James Ohlen, known for his extensive work on iconic titles such as the initial Baldur's Gate series and Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, alongside writer Drew Karpyshyn, famed for his narrative contributions to the Mass Effect franchise. Under the ownership of Wizards of the Coast, Archetype Entertainment endeavors to introduce fresh franchises beyond Dungeons and Dragons and Magic's storied universes.

With EXODUS, players are introduced to a novel sci-fi realm, offering a rich backstory that extends across a staggering 40 thousand years of lore. In this ambitious action/adventure RPG, players navigate the cosmos as Jun, a Traveler with the unique capability to harness the technology of the Celestials—an alien race intent on eradicating humanity. The game features a unique Time Dilation mechanic, reflecting the sacrifices made during interstellar missions as days pass for the Traveler but decades elapse back home. This mechanic feeds into a narrative where the protagonist's decisions have long-term, generational impacts on the game's world.

The game's narrative depth is further underscored by the casting of Matthew McConaughey as Jun, indicating the high production value and commitment to immersive storytelling in EXODUS. Additionally, it was revealed that collaboration with Certain Affinity, another Austin-based studio, has been ongoing since 2022, enhancing the development process.

James Ohlen enthusiastically shared the collective vision for EXODUS, emphasizing the creation of a universe that aims to captivate gamers for decades with its narrative depth. The collaboration with Certain Affinity, led by Max Hoberman, is poised to amplify the game's appeal, marrying Archetype’s innovative storytelling with Certain Affinity's development prowess. Chad Robertson echoed this sentiment, highlighting the synergy between the two teams as a crucial factor in ensuring EXODUS not only meets but exceeds the quality and engagement expectations in today’s competitive gaming landscape.

In essence, as Evil Empire sails into new creative territories, the gaming world also stands on the cusp of experiencing EXODUS, a game that promises a rich sci-fi adventure enhanced by the collaboration of veteran talents in the industry.