Meanwhile the most powerful Governments on Earth wish to retain their control over the colony and have deployed military forces to the city to ensure that in the chaos none of their influence is lost, either to the radicals or to other governments. For the moment, these forces are constrained by their rules of engagement and tightly defined objectives yet, as the violence increases, their home governments are likely to allow them greater and greater latitude to act.

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In the midst of all this chaos, the Martian Colonial Authority (the MCA) tries to maintain peace and find some kind of long-term settlement. They are hampered by an increasingly corrupt and brutal police force, a lack of real authority and the malign influence of so-called "loyalist" radical groups.

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Tension has been increasing for months, and just days ago there was a huge bombing at the Elysium Spaceport. Hundreds of MCA and Earth Government employees were killed, and dozens of ships were destroyed. No one knows who was responsible and none of the major groups have claimed responsibility. The Governments blame them all equally and radical groups are more than ready to take advantage of the current instability. Elysium, and the whole of Mars, is now just one step away from civil war.

 

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Crisis in Elysium is a megagame designed by Alex Beck. Players take on the roles of political leaders, diplomats, military commanders and more, representing the factions on all sides of the conflict - including the forces of powerful Earth governments, multiple radical groups, local Martian authorities, and also some other actors with a stake in the future of the city. Influence and control, as well as sudden strikes, raids and combat will be happening across three maps representing Elysium's three main domes - whilst the Council of Mars meets to discuss and enact solutions. And, as ever, yet more diplomacy and discussion is being had in back rooms and dark streets across Elysium, outside of official government channels.

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