Crisis in Elysium

Horizon Megagames is back with Crisis in Elysium, the megagame of Martian revolution. Sign up for six hours of sci-fi gaming fun!

It is the early 22nd Century; Mars has been colonised for over fifty years and is now home to nearly two million people. The first attempts at terraforming the planet are underway, yet the world stands on the brink of civil war and all that has been achieved could soon be lost.

After years of growing resentment and violence, groups of radicals and revolutionaries are gathering in the planet’s capital city, Elysium. Each group is pushing their own vision for the future of Mars - from a pristine independent Mars free from terraforming to an anarcho-communist paradise. Each group is vying to win over the population and silence their rivals with political rhetoric and violence.

Meanwhile the most powerful Governments on Earth wish to retain their control over the colony and have deployed military forces to the city to ensure that none of their influence is lost. For the moment, these forces are constrained by their rules of engagement and tightly defined objectives, yet as the violence increases their home governments are likely to allow them greater freedom to act.

In the midst of all this chaos, the Martian Colonial Authority (MCA) tries to maintain peace and find some kind of long-term settlement. They are hampered by an increasingly corrupt and brutal police force, a lack of real authority and the malign influence of so-called “loyalist” radical groups.

Tension has been increasing for months, and just days ago there was a huge bombing at the Elysium Spaceport. Hundreds of MCA and Earth Government employees were killed, and dozens of ships were destroyed. No one knows who was responsible and none of the major groups have yet claimed responsibility. Elysium, and the whole of Mars, is now just one step away from civil war.

What kind of megagame is it?

The game is a mix of low-intensity military conflict, counter-insurgency strategy, street level politics and high-level interplanetary diplomacy. 

Players take on the roles of leaders of the various radical groups, Earth governments and Martian leaders involved in the crisis, and will try to navigate the planet to a future they find acceptable.

Crisis in Elysium has rules of moderate complexity with some background material to read. Gameplay is split fairly evenly between operational elements, where players are controlling various military units on the three maps of Elysium, and political elements, where leaders and politicians discuss plans for the future of Mars. Most roles fit predominantly into one element, though all will have the opportunity to explore all parts of the game along with their teammates.

What factions are there in the game?

United States of Northern America (USNA) - A rich and democratic nation which covers much of North America and parts of the Caribbean. Publicly committed to prosperity for all, privately more interested in creating new markets on Mars.

European Union (EU) - A united European nation that whilst democratic has a reputation for meddling in the affairs of other states.

Greater Chinese Republic (GCR) - A nation that remains publicly committed to communism and military expansion, also embraces capitalism with a fervour that embarrasses older converts.

Federated States of India (FSI) - A nation defined and dominated by commerce - every action whether political, diplomatic or military is designed to further FSI commercial interests. 

Red Mars - A radical group dedicated to the protection of the Martian ecosystem, stopping all terraforming and ensuring it remains in a “pristine” state. Considered by many to be violent extremists.

Green Mars - Green Mars are the most mainstream of all the radical groups with the aim to create a independent, democratic, capitalist and terraformed Mars. 

Utopians - A varied group of political visionaries, anarchists and violent extremists who see the new world of Mars as the place to begin a new era for Humanity. 

One Humanity - This radical group are unusual in that they are fighting for Mars to remain on its current course. They are loyal to the MCA and wish to retain close links to Earth.

The Church of the True Martians - A radical religious group who believe in a race of aliens who once lived on Mars and are just waiting for an opportunity to return. Many consider them slightly unhinged.

The Martian Colonial Authority (MCA) - The MCA is the main governmental body for the planet. It controls and manages key infrastructure facilities in Elysium and across Mars. They are also responsible for providing local security and policing on the planet via the Elysium City Police Department (ECPD).

Martian Daily News - The premier news service on Mars.

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Get your tickets here now - if you buy more than one ticket we'll put you all on a team together. The cast list and game handbooks will be sent about a month before the game.