Calculations

Game Overview

In this near-future science fiction game, the player takes on the role of a pilot of an emergency dispatch shuttle bringing critical supplies to a Mars colony. The pilot encounters unexpected obstacles over the course of 45 critical minutes, and must make life-or-death decisions in this window of time. This game is inspired by the short story “The Cold Equations” by Tom Godwin. 

Theme & Tone

Calculations asks the question "How do you bear the unbearable?". The tone of the experience is similar to hard science fiction media dealing with live & death situations, like Battlestar Galactica or The Expanse. 

Content Warnings: life-or-death decisions, grief, loss

World Setting

The year is 2195. Humankind has colonized Mars, but travel to the colonies is still arduous and takes approximately 300 days. Mars colonies house a population of 10,813 currently. Journeys to Mars are considered one-way for most people, the only exception is for emergency dispatch ship pilots, who are given the luxury of return vessels. Mars has only ever launched one return vessel in the 60 years since colonization. Communications between the two worlds is very good; a series of relays has made communications about as good as a digital voice-only calling system.

Expeditions to the colonies are typically only ever undertaken once per year, and each trip costs $197.4 million and can bring 6 passengers. Because of the length and difficulty of the journey, calculations for spacecraft are meticulously calibrated to account for food rations, biomass, and other human considerations. 

Recently, the Mars colony has experienced a crippling setback. Settlers started reporting cold and flu-like symptoms. Weeks later, many reported shortness of breath. Soon, dozens were dead. Earth and Mars scientists worked round the clock to try and discover the cause of the disease so that it could be contained. The infection, fungal in nature, has spread to over 80% of the Mars population. For most, it is a slow, withering death. Some don't even feel sick for months, others die in a matter of weeks. Mars and Earth scientists collaborated round the clock to try and find the cure. They succeeded, but the Mars colony simply does not have the scientific equipment and raw materials necessary to synthesize enough medicine for the entire population. 

Earth is now sending an emergency dispatch ship to the colony with enough medicine for the entire population. You are the pilot of that vessel. Your journey will save thousands of lives. 

Roles & Characters

Players (1)

• Capt. Jordan Ghelfi - Emergency dropship pilot of the Kessler Nine. Character is designed to be any gender, so you can select how to portray them.

Facilitators (2-3)

• Gabi - Ship's AI 
• Other roles (read facilitator info)