A megagame experience of global proportions

What was Crisis from Beyond?

One day, dozens of players!

Over thirty-five players came together in May of 2025 to tell the story of WATCHtheSKIES: Crisis From Beyond.

Together they told the story of Earth’s first contact with extraterrestrial life, the paranoia and panic it caused, the alliances and betrayals that resulted, and the events large and small that shaped human destiny. Presidents and Prime Ministers negotiated and made deals, scientists competed and worked together to develop new technologies, and military heads engaged in war or peacekeeping operations. All the while alien beings conducted subtle experiments on abducted humans.

After eight hours of play, at the brink of annihilation from a rogue asteroid, humanity came together to save themselves and avert… a crisis from beyond

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Who will you be?

The Role Assignment survey was sent out approximately one week before the game

  • Madam President. Dear Leader. Prime Minister.

    The head of state provides leadership to their nation’s team, coordinating gameplay and keeping an eye on the larger picture.

    Mixture of roleplaying and map play

    Key Tasks:

    • Foster cooperation between team members

    • Focus on PR to maintain income

    • Support your Foreign Minister with Treaties

    • Collaborate with Chief Scientist to purchase Special Action cards

    • Control a small team of Special Agents

  • Lead Ambassador. EU Parliamentarian. Secretary of State.

    The Foreign Minister represents their nation on the international stage. They are constantly fielding international issues, crafting solutions, negotiating treaties, and developing strategic alliances.

    A mixture of roleplaying, financial management, and strategy.

    Key Tasks:

    • Attend U.N meetings

    • Sign treaties to support your nation

    • Tackle international crises

  • Nuclear Physicist. Astrobiologist. Surgeon General.

    The Chief Scientist has one goal: to be the greatest scientist the world has ever seen.

    Attend conferences, gain credits, win Nobel prizes, and give grand, self-important addresses to your peers. Choose between personal integrity or lucrative celebrity.

    Heavy on roleplaying with some card play.

    Key Tasks:

    • Give exaggerated speeches

    • Attend scientific conferences

    • Develop new technologies

    • Select research goals

  • Chief of Defense. Minister of War. Supreme Commander.

    The Head of Military controls the Army and Navy for their nation’s team, protecting against threats from this world… or from another…

    Heavy focus on strategic play on the global map

    Key Tasks:

    • Move forces on the map and determine the outcome of military events

    • Intercept UFOs

    • Engage in warfare

    • Collaborate with allied nations

  • The Fourth Estate. Editor in Chief. Senior Correspondent.

    The Press reports on recent events, sharing news across nations.

    Focuses on roleplaying and public speaking with some writing

    Key Tasks:

    • Report on key events of the last turn

    • Interview key members of the playable nations

    • Influence the reputation of important nations

    • Reveal secrets kept from the public... like the existence of aliens?

  • Don’t be silly, there’s no such thing as aliens.