Exodus, the ambitious sci-fi RPG initially revealed by Matthew McConaughey at The Game Awards, is now featured on the cover of Game Informer. Developed by Archetype Interactive, a studio comprised of former employees from major game developers like Naughty Dog, Halo Studios, and BioWare, the game is set 40,000 years in the future. Humanity's departure from Earth led to the adoption of near lightspeed travel, a method that introduces time dilation. This phenomenon means that while travelers perceive mere seconds passing during transit, weeks, months, or even years can elapse in the wider universe.
This concept of time dilation, alongside elements like sentient talking animals and advanced Celestials, forms the bedrock of Exodus' worldbuilding. The game's design emphasizes the long-term consequences of player decisions, with impacts that may not be evident for decades within the game's timeline. Archetype Interactive recently hosted Game Informer staff in Austin, Texas, allowing them to play approximately four hours of the upcoming title.
During their visit, Game Informer experienced an early mission at the Traveler Launch Center, introducing players to Salt, a sentient octopus who pilots a mech and serves as the cover star for the magazine's September/October issue. The team also explored Persepolis, the game's central hub city, and undertook a mission on Khonsu, a space station inhabited by a society of giant, talking frogs.
The latest issue of Game Informer includes a comprehensive 14-page cover story detailing these experiences. Further coverage, including a rapid-fire interview with the developers, is slated for release on Game Informer's website and YouTube channel. An additional six-page feature from editor-in-chief Matt Miller will delve into the non-video game aspects of the Exodus project, such as its accompanying novels and tabletop RPG, with insights from author Peter F. Hamilton and Archetype Interactive.
The issue also marks Game Informer's 35th anniversary with a 12-page spread highlighting memorable covers and contributions from industry figures like Ed Boon, Ken Levine, and Tony Hawk. Physical subscribers will receive an exclusive 35th-anniversary poster. The magazine also features reflections on Final Fantasy X by guest contributor Scott White, an exploration of indie game film adaptations by Alicia Haddick, and developer insights on the concluding entry in The Talos Principle series. Marcus Stewart provided gameplay impressions of 1666: Amsterdam, and executive editor Brian Shea discussed the legacy of the Sonic the Hedgehog series with members of Sonic Team.
Previews for upcoming titles such as The Duskbloods, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Gears of War: E-Day, Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave, and Vampirium: 1997 are included, alongside reviews for Halo: Campaign Evolved, Beast of Reincarnation, Big Walk, Denshattack, The Mermaid Mask, and Splatoon Raiders. The issue also contains an expanded GI Spy segment showcasing photos of Game Informer staff throughout its 35-year history.
In conjunction with the new issue, Game Informer has expanded its physical subscription service to 40 additional countries, with the Exodus issue being the first for new international subscribers. The digital edition is available now, and individual copies can be purchased in bookstores and on newsstands.