The writer of Mass Effect and KOTOR has a "morally ambiguous" new RPG, built with the help of fellow Bioware veterans

Sci-fi newcomer Exodus has more than enough weight about it to deserve your attention. Developer Archetype Entertainment boasts numerous Bioware veterans among its ranks; narrative lead Drew Karpyshyn was the main writer for Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic and the first two Mass Effect games, and it's backed by publishing powerhouse Wizards of the Coast. Ahead of its latest showing at The Game Awards, I sat down for a Q and A session with Karpyshyn, studio co-founder Chad Robertson, and game director Chris King, to learn about how its time dilation will force some serious moral pondering.

Exodus is a grand project - prior to the upcoming game, we've already seen books from authors including Peter Hamilton, and a TTRPG 'traveler's handbook' and encyclopedia. Pack in actor Matthew McConaughey as the first confirmed cast member, mentor figure C.C. Orlev, and the newcomer has the potential to push for a place among the very best RPGs, especially given the priors of some of its creators. Its hero's journey drops you into the shoes of Jun Aslan, a "salvager turned Traveler" who you're able to shape to your will through full character customization (including male and female options).

Karpyshyn, who is the mind behind iconic names such as Darth Bane and Revan, along with the heart of Mass Effect's narrative, describes Jun's tale as a classic 'rags to galactic savior' tale. When your homeworld is affected by a technological virus dubbed the Rot, causing a breakdown of the terraforming systems keeping it habitable, your apparent ability to interface with technology in ways others humans can't sees you thrust into the spotlight.

This will naturally lead to you and your companions clashing with various human factions fighting for power, as well as the Celestials. As a quick catch-up, Exodus takes place in the distant Centauri Cluster following a mass departure from Earth in the 23rd Century. The Celestials are essentially the people that got there first, and benefitted from thousands of years of genetic mutations before everyone else caught up, although they've lost their humanity along the way. Karpyshyn says they now view their former species as "primitive naked apes" that are only fit to exist as servants and slaves.

King tells us that Archetype wants you "to feel like the co-author of the whole experience," and that we'll be forced into "a ton of really difficult moral choices along the way." Drawing a direct comparison to Mass Effect, he notes that the team is "trying to make the choices a lot more morally ambiguous," and stresses that the various factions in the world will respond accordingly to your actions. Where Exodus really stands out, however, is with its use of time dilation.

In order to complete some of your missions, you'll need to travel long distances to far-off planets and stars. This uses near-lightspeed travel, which causes the time dilation effect; essentially, while only a few days or weeks may have passed for you, when you return you'll find many years have gone by. This means you're able to see the butterfly effect of your choices, with the potential for humanity to dramatically change and be reshaped while you're away.

"If you go to get something to save your home world, years may have passed, generations even - it's a cost," Karpyshyn stresses. He lists Interstellar among the key inspirations, naturally, although also mentions the likes of Alien and Aliens. When the topic of cosmic horror comes up, he adds, "I'm not going to say I haven't read Lovecraft. Elder horror is one thing we dip into."

As an RPG, you can naturally expect plenty of ways to advance your character, from the 'constellation' skill tree to systems that allow you to grow and enhance your abilities, weapons, and suits. You'll also be able to boost your companions, and yes there will be romance potential for some. While she's not a love interest due to her personal preferences, the team has a particular affinity for 'Awakened' octopus Salt, who's been genetically engineered for higher intelligence, rides in a mech suit, and is described as a more comic-relief figure with plenty of dry humor.

Archetype Entertainment is currently targeting the Exodus release date for early 2027. You can wishlist it now on Steam. I've been very impressed so far, and as someone who's desperately craving an all-new space adventure in the vein of Mass Effect it's certainly shaping up to fill that void. "We would be honored to be in that echelon of roleplaying experiences," Karpyshyn concludes.