EGO

We are not alone! It is the 23rd century, and proof of alien life has finally been discovered beyond our solar system. In fact, recent developments in technology have triggered a cascade
of discoveries throughout the galaxy — intelligent life and advanced civilizations are now known across many planets, moons, and asteroids in the Milky Way.

Now the race is on to establish interstellar relations with the aliens. The peoples of Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Jupiter know that any one of these planets can gain dominance and
rule the system by making powerful alien alliances.

But, despite our best efforts, the individual planets are not capable of creating their own galaxy- traversing vessel. The only chance we have of reaching alien life is by pooling all our resources together to build the required Super Ship. In an unprecedented (and uneasy) cooperation between the planetary governments, the peoples of our solar system have finally built the first of these ships.

And thus, the coalition known as the Extraterrestrial Greeting Organization, EGO, is now ready to launch our first mission. EGO’s mission is to visit many advanced civilizations throughout
the galaxy and establish friendly relationships between our solar system and the aliens. Through careful politics, our five planetary governments aim to gain allies and benefit from
these interstellar relations.

Alongside a small crew, one ambassador from each planet will be on board the Super Ship. It is agreed that the ambassadors will take turns leading the mission. Even before the mission is launched into space, the tactical maneuvering between planets begins.
Our aspiring governments expect to get their fair share — or even more than that — from this unprecedented mission. Each ambassador has been discreetly tasked to ensure their home world comes out on top. Of course, these ambitions require methodical politicking, and all tactics must be cautiously tempered. Alien races may easily be offended by overly aggressive advances. This could lead to adverse effects for our planetary governments — if not failure of the whole mission...

In EGO, players proceed through a sequence of major and minor events, including auctions, drafts, risks, and more. Risks and egos are the lifeblood of this game, as players will frequently find themselves in a game of chicken with their rival ambassadors as they try to impress various alien civilizations and earn political power.
By offering gifts, attempting persuasion, plotting intrigue, exchanging technology, and displaying charisma, these ambassadors will be able to gain advantages and allies. But careless tactics can lead to damaging or even disastrous encounters. Taking a risk during a negotiation event can possibly tarnish your reputation with the aliens, or at least confuse them greatly as you retreat to the ship in a fluster of embarrassment. Yet there’s always the chance of a triumphant success, and nobody ever made it to the top without stepping on a few challengers.