Eclipse Phase

Eclipse Phase is a science fiction roleplaying game set in a post-apocalyptic transhuman future. Humanity has spread throughout the solar system after a catastrophic war with artificial intelligences forced the evacuation of Earth. Players take on the role of operatives working for a secret organization called Firewall, which protects transhumanity from existential threats. The game features technology that allows human consciousness to be digitally transferred between bodies, enabling characters to "resleeve" into different morphs - from biological bodies to robotic shells to virtual forms. The setting combines elements of cyberpunk, horror, and hard science fiction across the colonies of Mars, the swarms of Mercury, and the outer system habitats. Characters navigate political intrigue between hypercorporations, anarchist collectives, and posthuman factions while investigating threats to human survival. The game explores themes of identity, consciousness, and what it means to be human in a world where death has become optional and technology has transformed the species. Through its mechanics and setting, Eclipse Phase examines the societal impact of radical technological change and humanity's drive to survive against extinction-level threats.

Readers appreciate Eclipse Phase's detailed transhuman science fiction setting and expansive lore. Players note the creative freedom in character creation through "sleeving" different bodies and morphs. Multiple reviews praise the horror elements and conspiracy themes. Many found the rulebook overwhelming with complex mechanics and statistics. A recurring complaint focuses on the steep learning curve for new players. Some readers mention the dense writing style makes rules interpretation difficult. Liked: - Deep worldbuilding and setting - Character customization options - Integration of horror elements - Creative technology concepts Disliked: - Complex rules system - Information overload - High barrier to entry - Unclear rule explanations Ratings: Goodreads: 4.23/5 (146 ratings) DriveThruRPG: 4.5/5 (101 ratings) RPGGeek: 7.73/10 (215 ratings) "The ideas and setting are amazing but the crunch is hard to digest" - DriveThruRPG reviewer "Rich universe but requires significant time investment" - Goodreads review

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Diaspora by Greg Egan The story follows different forms of post-human intelligence, from digital beings to flesh-and-blood humans, as they explore space and confront the nature of consciousness.

Altered Carbon by Richard K. Morgan In a future where consciousness can be digitized and transferred between bodies, a former soldier investigates a murder that challenges the foundations of immortality technology.

Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie The narrative follows an artificial intelligence that once controlled a massive starship and thousands of human bodies, now trapped in a single human form seeking revenge.

🎲 Eclipse Phase was first released in 2009 and pioneered a unique approach to intellectual property, offering its core rulebook under a Creative Commons license that allowed free sharing and adaptation. 🧬 The game explores "post-scarcity" economics where advanced 3D printing and nanotechnology mean most physical goods can be easily replicated, fundamentally changing how society functions. 🧠 A central concept in the game is "ego casting" - the ability to transmit consciousness digitally across space, allowing players to essentially email themselves to new bodies on different planets. 🌌 The setting draws heavily from real scientific concepts like the "Fermi Paradox" and "Great Filter" theory to explain why humanity hasn't encountered alien life despite the vastness of space. 🎮 The game won the 2010 Origins Award for Best Roleplaying Game and has influenced numerous other science fiction works in its treatment of transhumanism and digital consciousness.