Introduction: A New Universe
The team at Mark IV Games is currently in the process of publishing our very first game (coming to kickstarter soon) called Factions of Sol, which takes place in a very unique and new universe—a 1950’s “retro-dystopia” of Earth and its solar system. And as part of that work, we’ve VERY excitedly been writing goofy characters, horrifying (mostly gay) creatures, and thrilling adventures, and we want to share this new universe with you!
And as part of sharing this WILD world with you, I wanted to give you a bit of an introduction into the new universe (galaxy) of Sol. So what the hell does “retro-dystopia” mean? Do we even know? Why are all the creatures gay? Isn’t that homophobic? Wonderful questions, one and all!
The Retro-Dystopia of Sol
A retro-dystopia refers to a story that takes place in the past, but has been rewritten as a dystopia. In the universe of Sol (“Sol” being the name of both the Sun and Earth’s solar system) the year is only 1955, but a “family friendly” megacorporation called Megacore has taken over the planet Earth, ushered humankind into an early space age, and has settled the solar system with research colonies and space stations, all to try and find what Mark Megacore (founder and CEO of Megacore, Inc) believes is a secret paradise, hidden far across the galaxy.
So how did our world get this way? How come it’s so different?
From the New Universe a Sci-Fi Alternate History Unfolds
Well like a mediocre X-Men movie, the timeline diverges with a somewhat-unjustified new technology. At the turn of the 20th century, a teenage Mark Megacore invents a new form of long-range radio and picks up a strange signal coming from across the galaxy, dreaming that night of a galactic paradise. Mark Megacore then creates MegaCore and takes over the planet over the course of World War One as MegaCore’s new technologies seduce and then subsume every world power—creating the Dominion of MegaCore. With the world’s resources at his command, MegaCore then ushers in a utopian space age for the wealthy—and a dark dystopia for the rest.
By the 1950’s, Mercury’s vast solar energy fields power Sol’s ships, thousands of long-range radio towers are built on Mars to seek out MegaCore’s mysterious alien signal, and missions across the cosmos are launched from Jupiter where humans encounter thousands of new, mostly gay species—leading theorists to the conclusion that turns out, heterosexuality is unique to Earth. But despite these incredible breakthroughs, MegaCore’s constant push for progress has turned Earth into an environmental wasteland, home to endless slums and hidden enclaves of elites.
When does Factions of Sol Take Place?
In 1955, MegaCore’s long-sought after alien signals return suddenly with a clear and urgent message—The death of the universe is near, and only those who are worthy will be saved and reach paradise. This message brings chaos and war to the planets of Sol, causing the different factions to rise up and fight against their extinction.
Want to read more about the secret history of MegaCore, or the rise of the different factions of Sol? Like, comment, and let us know! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter!
