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If you look in the top-right, you can even see some Gods doing whatever the heck Gods do back there behind the walls atop Mount Olympus.
Some of the economic game components.
The Event
The Megagame Coalition is proud to present Gods of the Ancient World - the hit Gods-will-be-Gods design by Tony Dougherty of The Dukes of Highland. You can see more information about the game from their websitefhighland.net/games/gaw.
This is part of the PAX Unplugged 2025 suite of megagame events being hosted by the Megagame Coalition. Badges to the PAX Unplugged convention are required to attend the event and can be purchased here.
Gods of the Ancient World has been run several times and further refined. It remains one of the most successful American megagame designs with its unique blending of strong mechanical elements, economic elements, and of course, the Gods.
The Setting
What if the Kingdom of Macedonia (Ancient Greek Empire) did not fall apart and what if the Roman Republic became the Roman Empire 100 years earlier. These changes could have been arranged by the machinations of the Gods. Let’s imagine what that world might have been like, under constant threat of war, the dawn of democracy and the Gods reining supreme high from their thrones on Mt. Olympus, playing the mortals against each other in a narcissistic cosmic game. Megagames are huge games that contain multitudes – role playing, combat mechanics, bluffing, negotiation – but unlike most games they’re mostly driven by you, the player. The umpires, called the “Control Team,” will be on hand to answer questions and come up with rulings your creativity inspires. While you have agendas and goals laid out for you, megagames allow players to invent their own win conditions and pursue those as well.
Gods
Around eight players will be slotted into the roles of Gods. Their gameplay will be more individually focused (i.e., not team-focused) than their mortal counterparts. Additionally, many of the Gods are sequestered to the side of the megagame for much of the game in relative isolation. We’ll cast player roles after a questionnaire is sent out closer to the con.
The Deetz!
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+.
Have questions or concerns? Please reach out at phillymegagames@gmail.com