Twisted artefacts fall from space. Doomsayers tell of nightmarish prophecies. World leaders meet to contemplate a terrifying possibility:

We Are Not Alone

Welcome to the crisis.

It’s 2030. Meteors are raining down at unprecedented levels. Inside these meteors, you’ve discovered fractured artefacts that seem to be made by some sentient being. Many are crafted with a previously unknown metal, which gives out enough heat to act as an incredible new power source. When left alone, it seems to whisper faintly.

This discovery has stirred up old conflicts. Militaries across the world are on high alert. There are no flying saucers. Aliens don’t exist. But the word is on the tip of everyone’s tongue. Could we be on the verge of first contact with extraterrestrial life?

Good luck.

FAQs

In We Are Not Alone, you’ll be playing with over 40 other world leaders as you come to grips with a threat beyond anything you’ve seen before. We Are Not Alone is a megagame of cosmic dread. Read on to learn more about what this means.

Q: Wait... People do this for fun?

A: Yes they do--all over the world! The blog Shut Up & Sit Down made a fabulous documentary of their first experience... as well as a two-part documentary of their second! (Click here for Part II).

Still not convinced (or short on time)? Check out this inspiring, short video of Megagames at PAX. The UK group Megagame Makers have been going strong for over twenty years, and featured in such newspapers as The Independent.

McGill professors have been hosting megagames for fun and learning for more than fifteen years, where the PaxSims blog is the nexus for all things simulation and gaming. Be sure to check out the (in)famous student-made short on Rex Brynen's annual Brynania Civil War simulation.

Or, for the educationally minded, a video on the EnTRUSTed Hospital Simulation.

Megagames are also used for facilitation work with governments, corporations, international organizations, NGOs, and universities by people such Rex Brynen, Vince Carpini, Tom Fisher, and Jim Wallman.

So... what are you waiting for?!

Q: Ok, but what is a Megagame?
A: Megagames are unique experiential games for 30 to 300 players - part model UN, part board game, part live-action role play - and all fun! They are driven by narrative rather than victory points, and often built as lifelike simulations of the real world with a fantastical twist. Megagames are written to make the players feel, think, experience, and learn.

Megagames are sweeping the globe as the newest, most unique experiences a gamer can find.

Q: But I’ve never done this before!
A: Don’t worry, neither had we. You’ll be a pro in no time.

We will send you an information package 1-2 weeks before the event date for you to review game mechanics, your role, and background storyline.

Megagames are designed to be learned on the fly, just like real life. They are about experiencing a storyline, rather than mapping out a path to victory. In a Megagame, it is much better to die a legendary death that your friends, new and old, will tell tales of for all time, rather than attempt to beat everybody in a race to the finish.

Above all, experienced players and the control team (aka, the game facilitators) are very nice. We won’t let you do anything too silly- unless you want to!

Q: How should I treat other players?

A: We are so proud to bring you this event, and we want to make sure every player gets an engaging and fulfilling experience. This requires the cooperation of all players to make this fun for everyone. If you are found to be disrupting the event by harassing other players, including racist, sexist or otherwise bigoted remarks, you will be reprimanded as the game control sees fit, up to and including expulsion from the game without refund.

Q: Where can I contact the organizer with any questions?
A: Contact the Ottawa Megagames team at OttawaMegaGames@gmail.com, on the Ottawa MegaGames FB page.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to let us know! We like to think we’re pretty friendly people and will do whatever we can to help.