Dreams and Machines is a new tabletop RPG coming from Modiphius, and there’s a free quickstart guide to download already.
The game is set in the future and carries tones of hope and growing danger, but you can hear from the designers in a Q&A just a bit.
If you like what you see, there’s a physical starter set on pre-order now and launching at Gen Con. It will have;
- Tutorial Booklet
- Adventure Booklet
- Rules Reference Booklet
- Dice
- Tokens
- Cards
- Handouts
If you aren’t getting to Gen Con (I’m also missing out) then Dreams and Machine’s Starter Set is on pre-order at Modphius’ UK and US sites.
Dreams and Machines interview
Geek Native spoke to Chris Birch, who co-founded Modiphius and created Dreams and Machines, and Samantha Webb, Head of Brand at the publisher.
What’s the setting for Dreams and Machines?
SAMANTHA: Dreams and Machines is set in the far future of Evera Prime, a human colony cut off from Earth where its people come together to rebuild their world. In the shadow of ruined megacities humanity scavenges incredibly-advanced technology to forge a life built on the back of the human spirit. Our characters stand against the Wakers—mechs of the Old World hell-bent on humanity’s destruction, as they reactivate randomly and continue their rampage.
What sort of gaming group do you Dreams and Machines best suits?
CHRIS: Groups that like post apocalyptic sci-fi, that are looking for something more upbeat where the focus is on working together not against others. The system encourages cooperation between players but also leaning in to your temperaments, and growth (our version of XP) comes from being taken out of the action and getting up, or helping others get up again rather than the number of enemies you kill.
The RPG is described as an “optimistic post-apocalyptic hope-punk RPG” but is about the end of the world. How does that work?
SAMANTHA: Dreams and Machines is ultimately a tale of hope and human spirit. It’s been hundreds of years since the cataclysmic war that almost ended humanity’s presence on Evera Prime, and so the survivors of this world aren’t just surviving – they’re beginning to thrive again… it might just look a little different to us given our contemporary lives.
Everans now live simpler lives, looking after each other in communities dotted across the world, in a juxtaposition of medieval or fantasy-looking architecture mixed with sci-fi tools and technology. But that could all come under threat as the AI that drove the mechs to kill during the war is looking to rebuild itself and destroy humanity once and for all.
We didn’t want to depict another ‘post-apocalyptic’ setting where people’s lives are made of jury-rigged tech, and they’re still struggling to find resources—but we felt that just wouldn’t be right. Given decades, people will become self-sufficient, they’ll put down roots, they’ll settle in the most resourceful places, and they won’t struggle day-to-day. That allows us to make the threats to their lives, in the shape of the Wakers, all the more dangerous.
Do you think Dreams and Machines reflects the current debates around AI or is the subject matter a coincidence of timing?
CHRIS: I’ve been working on this for about seven years now, and so it’s funny how AI is now a topical subject as we launch the game. The AI called the Builder in our universe is a highly developed globally distributed intelligence capable of original thought, of running the infrastructure of a whole planet and likely a long way from what we can manage now, which is really just a very clever version of google maps!
SAMANTHA: It’s important we don’t conflate algorithmic learning to sci-fi ‘artificial intelligence’. The Builder is a depiction of a sci-fi, sentient intelligence that somehow developed a malicious intent. A lot of the debate at the moment around “A.I.” is as a tool that could change the landscape of work—particularly creative endeavors like illustration and creative writing—and Modiphius will continue to support human writers and artists by commissioning people, and not allowing the use of generative AI platforms within our products.
With that in mind, what are the deeper themes in Dreams and Machines?
CHRIS: Overall the sense of value in relationships and the worth of those around us. Relationships are important, players benefit from leaning into them whether they are rivals or allies as this can help replenish their Spirit a key resource which drives the action. A character who retires or dies in action leaves a legacy for the rest of the group that provides mechanical benefits for everyone, and unlocks much greater archetypes for the players to access (the player who retires or dies gets to choose to return as an even more powerful character archetype).
I’ve certainly seen a rise in ‘solarpunk’ or ‘hopepunk’ games. Have you noticed it? Why do you think that is?
CHRIS: You only have to look at world events, we’d had a string of global events such as Covid, the Ukraine War, increasing environmental disasters and much more that are causing people to really worry about the future. I think this is a rejection of the dark themes in a lot of future and post apocalyptic fiction. We started it in our own way with Achtung! Cthulhu, where traditionally Cthulhu games saw humanity as so insignificant we added a dash of hope. People need exciting action and a real threat, but I think we’ve seen enough of how evil human beings can be to each other as we’re seeing that everyday in the news now and the reports from the frontlines.
Do RPGs, in your opinion, tend to echo society anyway?
CHRIS: I think all media tends to echo society and reflect the experiences of those living it. Great songwriters are usually living through the problems they so beautifully write about but I think media that can give people a break from some of the more disturbing events can help lift them out of it for a while, and maybe give them a different perspective.
Do you think the tabletop hobby will ever get significant enough to influence society in turn?
CHRIS: We’re starting to see the effects of the tabletop hobby on society – it might be minor but it’s there. It’s so much more widespread now with the D&D film, Critical Role, celebrities gaming, etc. The question will be what influence does it have, most games don’t push a social or political agenda as they typically follow popular themes to provide entertainment. I think the tabletop community has a greater representation of LGBT creatives than usual though and I think they’re having a positive impact on people’s perceptions which is good.
Do you have any tips for readers on how they might encourage their gaming fellows off traditional high fantasy RPGs made popular by actual play shows and a Netflix hit and on to a game like Dreams and Machines?
CHRIS: Well that’s easy, invite them to dinner! No seriously, I find most people love a dinner invite, and don’t just put a pizza on. Get creative, find a fun recipe, put in a little effort and I can guarantee you’ll be amazed, and they’ll likely ask when you’re cooking (and playing) again.
It’s hard to pull people away from the world’s most popular fantasy roleplaying game, but I think everyone enjoys a break from the norm, and post apocalyptic stories are constantly in the popular eye. With its feel good themes, exciting ruin filled world, and exciting action I hope Dreams and Machines gives you all the ingredients needed to cook up the most fun-filled nights of adventure you’ve ever had.
What do you like the most about the game?
CHRIS: I’m a huge fan of post-apocalyptic sci-fi – the idea of stumbling through vast ancient ruins full of flickering technologies and lost secrets has stayed with me since I read a lot of early science fantasy books as a kid. It’s not always easy to communicate this excitement though – I’ve loved so many great RPGs but struggled to get friends to ‘get it’ so from day one we set to make it as easy as possible for the GM to connect their players with the world of Dreams and Machines—from awesome art cards in the starter set, the play out of the box design, to rewarding players with resources for learning and discovering information about the world. It’s all designed to make this game as accessible as possible for everyone, so they too can enjoy exploring the secrets of the past on Evera Prime!
Lastly, what plans does Modiphius have for Dreams and Machines after the initial launch?
SAMANTHA: The starter set, releasing at Gen Con and retail stores in August, is just the beginning. A player’s guide and a gamemaster’s guide will provide groups with a detailed exploration of the setting, and include all the rules and tools they need to play, launching in the autumn this year. Accessories like a GM’s screen and dice are all planned for, and we’ve just started working on our first campaign book that will begin our journey into Evera Prime, expanding the setting depicted in the core books, and offering both players and GMs new things to play with. We’ll also be supporting the line with individual PDF adventures from the launch of the core books so that GMs have adventure material to run if they don’t want to write their own, from day one.
Quick Links
- Dreams and Machines free quickstart.
- Pre-order Dreams and Machines: Starter Set (US)
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