An Overview of E.G.O. and Redemption

E.G.O. and Redemption

Curtis Baum, Organized-Play Manager

E.G.O stands for “Evil Genius Organized-Play,” the organized-play program in which GMs and players share their stories and characters in an ongoing community and its evolving setting, Redemption. Characters created in the E.G.O. program’s Dispatch app can be shared with friends and played online, at gaming stores, at conventions, and even with massive groups working together to beat epic villains. 

This program relies on the coordinated efforts of GMs and Volunteers across the globe. We are always looking for more Everyday Heroes to help us spread the joy of gaming. Currently, we have Redemption “Handlers” (GMs) running games, both online and in person, on three continents and seven countries. 

The E.G.O. Organization

E.G.O., like other organized-play programs, is managed and supported by several kinds of staff and volunteers. 

At the forefront of the Volunteers are our local Redemption “Handlers” (GMs), who run games for Agents (players) to go on their Assignments (season adventures) and Operations (side adventures). Supporting Handlers are the Operatives (local organizers) and Field Agents (area organizers), who also help organize and advertise local games and conventions. And overseeing larger regions and the program overall is the Board of Directors.

Each Director oversees one of five regions. North America makes up three of the regions, split among West, South-East, and North-East. One Director supports our overseas operations, and one our online presence. In addition, the Directors regularly organize and support conventions (especially large conventions in their areas) and work with the Organized-Play Manager to implement necessary changes and address problems that have come to their attention. 

The Organized-Play Manager is a staff position that works directly with the volunteer organization and Evil Genius Games to keep the E.G.O. program. This includes working to develop new materials and content as well as to make sure that the EGO program delivers necessary support for conventions as well as local game stores and online games. And, as the needs of the GMs and players continue to grow and change, the Organized-Play Manager addresses those needs. This includes keeping things up to date and running smoothly with Dispatch, Sidekick, Warhorn and other systems. As new material is created by Evil Genius Games, the Program Manager reviews which new rules and hero options will be included for Agents of Redemption. 

Redemption–Setting and Secret Organization

Redemption is the name for both Evil Genius Games’ organized-play setting, and the fictional organization of Everyday Heroes within that setting that exists to save the world from threats beyond the capabilities or desires of governments. Redemption is a secretive organization, founded and funded by various benevolent groups and individuals from around the world, and run by a mysterious Board of Directors, whose identities generally remains unknown. 

The best known of Redemption staff is the warm and friendly “country boy” Walt DeWalt, Redemption’s Chief Recruiter and Field Agent. In Redemption games, Walt often briefs and debriefs the heroes and their Handlers as they take their adventures, but there are also other Field Agents directing heroes throughout the world. 

“Nacho Haus: It’s Na-cho-haus, but You’ll Feel Right at Home.”

Meetings with Walt and Handlers generally take place at a Nacho Haus, a successful international restaurant chain of German-Mexican fusion restaurants that provides bases from which Redemption collects intelligence and Agents operate on their missions. Filled with people and cheesy iconography of sombreros and lederhosen, the fanciful menus and receipts provide important codes to the heroes all while providing nutritious, filling, and fun food at great prices. Near the end of Season One of Redemption, many Nacho Haus restaurants were destroyed by enemies of Redemption and a traitorous Director, Maxwell Heisenberg. The Redemption organization is rebuilding and reestablishing its presence across the globe once again, getting ready for Season 2, which is being molded now by the incredible writers at Evil Genius Games. Stay Tuned!