PAX Unplugged Convention Badge required to attend event.
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The Event
In Emergence, players take on the roles of the leaders of the world's nations, dealing with economic, environmental, and diplomatic issues as the enigmatic Planet X draws nearer the Earth, all while mysterious alien activity is on the rise. Each 4-player team of Humans needs to manage their resources and engage in diplomacy with other teams, all while not knowing who among their allies, enemies, or very own ranks may be an alien sleeper agent. Who knows? Even you might end up being one!
Emergence was megagame designed by a Rochester Institute of Technology Professor Sean Boyle as a fun teaching tool. Heavily inspired by the classic megagame, Watch Skies Skies by Jim Wallman, players must engage in geopolitical struggles in the midst of an emerging otherworldly threat (?).
The Setting
For years, humanity has been fascinated by stories of another planet in our solar system, always hidden from view by the Sun. It’s been called Planet X, and stories abound of non-humans who call it home. Perhaps even more common are stories and conspiracy theories about non-humans visiting us, even walking among us and controlling our very society. Grays, Nordics, Men in Black, Reptilians... the list goes on and on.
In Emergence, these two tales come together: Planet X is nearing Earth, while simultaneously an non-human presence on Earth is apparently growing. And, of course, with this secretive presence, no one can be sure any more of who is human and who isn’t!
This game focuses on several areas, including the social climate of humanity when a life-bearing planet, so very close to home, has been discovered; the military and political response to increased “non-human” activity on Earth; and, overshadowing it all, the state of the environment after more than a century of industrial abuse. It’s not simply about fi ghting “non-humans;” it’s about the entire 3-year period surrounding these series of events, including “mundane” events right here on Earth. Players will need to do more than respond to potential non-human threats; they will be dealing with humanity as a whole, and the consequences of humanity’s actions. To top it off, any “human” could, in fact, be an “non-human” in disguise, so you never know who to trust!
Player Roles
Humans will need to fill various roles, including:
Military
Diplomacy
Treasury
Intelligence and Espionage
The World News Network team is made up of 4 independent, non-country-affiliated players, who are all responsible for reporting on game events as they unfold.
The non-human team roles are not explicitly chosen; this team has 4 slots.
There are also a number of "overflow" slots for additional players to join various teams, but we want to make sure we fill the minimum for each team first.
The Deetz!
A PAX Unplugged Convention Badge is required to attend this event.
The venue & play area is entirely wheelchair accessible.
Rules and roles will be distributed via email before the event. The rules will also be gone over at the start of the game for those who didn’t have time to read the rules.
Cosplay welcomed and praised but entirely optional.
Age Limit. 16+ with adult escort, otherwise 18+.
Transit Details:
The Pennsylvania Convention Center is a ~20 min. transit trip from the 30th Street Amtrak Station, with a ~10 min. walk from City Hall.
Free parking is difficult to find around the area.
Have questions or concerns? Please reach out at phillymegagames@gmail.com