(Commercial) Mars: Code Aurora.

[nicknorthstar]

We are getting a new Science-Fiction game in at the end of this month. It's called Mars: Code Aurora and it's published by Studio Tomahawk.
It's been out for a while in French, we're getting the first English Language version.

Here's the info from ST about it:
Mars: Aurora Code is a generic Sci-Fi or futuristic skirmish game that can be played with any type of miniatures thanks to rules designed to make the most of your collection.

With forces of 8-15 figures a side, a simple yet tactical resolution system, and a scenario generator that guarantees re-playability, Mars: Code Aurora is a great game both for beginners looking for an accessible game, and veterans looking for a game in which to express their creativity and make some use of their minis gathering dust on the shelves (and an excuse to collect new shiny ones!).

An appendix presents different alternative settings, from a smuggler type campaign in the charted space, the corporate wars of a cyberpunk bleak future to the hunt for aliens and marines in a deep jungle.

With Mars: Code Aurora you’ll be able to design your own Sci-fi game setting and use any of the miniatures in your collection!

84pgs, softback.

You can pre-order it here: https://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=17037

As it's been out for a while, there's a strong French gaming community for it already, they (and the authors) are happy to talk all about it on their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/462672742322477

[Ray Earle]

Ordered.

Looking forward to seeing how it differs from other recent rulesets of a similar genre.

[Banderium]

I own the french version. I run a couple of games at the club some time ago. I really like the rules.
Some photos of one of the games:
https://macabredanze.blogspot.com/2021/09/marte-codice-aurora-primo-test.html

[snitcythedog]

Sounds very interesting.  Will order since you can't have enough rules.

[Espritfigs]

hello everyone
I am Esprit one of the co-authors of the game. Years ago I used to hang around here often to see wonderful things. I even think that it's a bit this forum that made me want to create miniature games from A to Z. So it's an honor to see MCA here.

[Espritfigs]

Minus say:

"Since the rulebook is not available yet, I thought it could be interesting to give you more information about the game. I figure out what kind of questions newcomers would have, and I will try to highlight some specificities of the game. I am aware that given the number of existing games, almost no game mechanic is unique, but what makes a game is the combination of these mechanics.

1) Are there reviews of the game?

As far as I know, not yet in English as the book is not available. Reviews should come soon.

2) What is the game format?

Each player will play around 8 to 12 models. Of course, it is always possible to go lower or higher, but when you try to set up a balanced team, that is the average amount of models you get. The models are activated individually.

3) Can I play vehicles?

Yes. There are no transports, no super-heavy battle tanks, but you can play small armored vehicles or combat walkers.

4) Does the game require lots of NPC like other skirmish games?
No, the game is center on the players squads. There is no need for specific NPCs.

5) How much terrain do I need?

The board is 3x3” or 90x90cm large. As for the terrains, the more, the better. The shooting is deliberately deadly. You will need cover and places to get out of sight to encourage maneuvers rather than fixed battlelines. You will not see a game with squads standing front to front and shooting each other to death.

6) What kind of activation system does the game use?

Activation is a random alternate system. At the beginning of the game, each player adds one card per model in his squad, then all players gather their cards, add 3 specific cards for the Drones (see the next point) and shuffle it all. Then, the players draw a card. The player whose color was picked (only colors matter, not the values) chooses one model that has not been activated this turn and activates it. The turn ends when you or your opponent draw the 3rd Drone cards. The models that have not been played, will not be activated this turn.

Not knowing who plays next nor when the turn ends forces the players to decide their priorities. Would you risk to activate your boss or your big guy at the turn end?

7) What are those Drone cards?

During deployment you and your opponent place drone miniatures on the table. They are neutral, and no one can attack them. Each time you pick a Drone card, the Drones move. The trick is, Drones create a null zone where a fighter cannot shoot.

8 ) How do I set up my team?

There are 7 factions to choose from, each with specific profiles and special rules. Pick the faction that matches your miniatures. Some profiles have access to optional special weapons. Promote up to 3 models as Officers, offer them additional equipment if you want (grenades, shields…), assign specialist roles as you wish (medic, hacker, engineer…), these are all the options you get to personalize your force.

9) What if I cannot find a faction that suits my collection?

The factions are archetypes and allow for a wide variety of models. Check the gallery on the website or this group for examples.

If you feel that you cannot find the perfect fit, there is an 8th faction that represents mercenaries. It allows you to pick the profiles from all the others factions.

If you need help deciding which faction works best for your collection, post a photo on the group, and other players will give you some hints.

10) Is there a point system or so to balance the game?

Yep. But we wanted to keep things very simple and be able to set up a list in literally 5 minutes from the miniatures store on your shelves. Models cost 1, 2, or 3 points. Most options cost 1 point. All you need is to add fighters until you reach 25 points. That's it!

11) How do I win the game?

Mars: Code Aurora is an objectives-based game. You need to secure objectives to get victory points. Players with the most points at the end win the game. Even if you wipe out your opponent on Mars firepower is not everything!

12) What is the measuring unit?

The game measurements are in centimeters. All distances in the game are multiples of 5cm, an increment roughly equivalent to 2 inches. If you and your opponents prefer to play in inches, divide all ranges by 2.5, it will work fine (e.g. 20 cm = 8 inches).

13) As the game is published by Studio Tomahawk, are the rules similar to Saga ?

No, the ruleset is not the same as Saga. Mars : Code Aurora is not Sci-fi Saga. As Studio Tomahawk posted on their FB page, the similarity between those games rely more on their philosophy : « Same design philosophy as our own Age of Magic: bring back to the table the miniatures that were sleeping in the closet for ages! »

I hope this helps !"

[Raedwald]

@Espritfigs - Thanks for all of the info.

Each player will play around 8 to 12 models… The board is 3x3”… The shooting is deliberately deadly. You will need cover and places to get out of sight to encourage maneuvers rather than fixed battlelines. You will not see a game with squads standing front to front and shooting each other to death."

This all sounds great to me. The drones and dead zones sound peculiar, but I look forward to seeing more about this game.

[nicknorthstar]

Yeah!!
The book is in now:
https://www.northstarfigures.com/prod.php?prod=17037

[ithoriel]

Looking forward to my copy!

[zemjw]

The book thudded gently onto my carpet this morning

Haven't done more than a quick look at the pictures and absorb the "new book smell"

[ithoriel]

Arrived here this morning too.
Well, I’ve had a coffee and a read through of the rules and am happy with what I’ve read.

Though, proof of the pudding, so to speak, will come once I get stuff on the table.

There’s nothing particularly startling in what Mars: Code Aurora does, as far as I’m concerned, but it seems well laid out and explains things in an easily absorbed manner.
It is very PvP focussed , with rules covering head-to-head and multiplayer games, but the card driven activation system which can see some units not getting an action probably generates enough randomness to allow solo players some scope.
 
The reaction orders (fire on a moving enemy, intercept a moving enemy, intercept a charging enemy) mean players are potentially involved throughout the game.
 
Shooting, melee and various other actions are decided by a number of 50/50 decisions. The exact method is left to players to agree. D4/6/8/10 etc with low is fail and high success, odd is fail and even success, draw cards, flip coins – if it allows a 50/50 outcome go for it.
 
I like the mechanism for deciding actions not covered in the rules, with tokens affecting success swapped backwards and forwards between players.
 
The game assumes a 90x90cm battlefield with lots of terrain. Targets in the open are dead … things walking!
 
Troops are ranked level 1 to 3 and are either infantry or vehicles. Rank 1 infantry are grunts, rank 3 are dreadnaughts while a rank 1 vehicles is a quad bike or similar while level 3 is a cybertank or alien bio-equivalent.
 
With 25 points to spend on a standard squad you probably aren’t going to have many level 3s!
 
Each force must have at least one officer (rated, you guessed it, 1 to 3) who can motivate a number of other troops equal to their rating.
 
I can’t think of a figure I have that wouldn’t slot into one (or more) of the factions.
 
The factions are based on their motivation and are:
 
Domination (Bots, Necrons, etc)
 Science (Hi-Tech, hacker types)
 Corruption (Chaos, Undead)
 Equality (Freedom Fighters)
 Order (Space Marines et al)
 Brutality (Orcs, Barbarians, Super Mutants)
 Hunger (Bugs, Tyranids, ravening swarms of any type)
 Greed (any of the above motivated by Greed rather than basic motivation, a catch all).
 
The one thing I find odd are the drones, one per player, who automagically prevent firing with 10cm of themselves. You can rip each other heads off in the zone but no ranged weapons work inside their area of influence. They trundle about randomly when their activation cards are drawn and when the 3rd drone activation occurs the turn ends. Perhaps I’m being dim (feel free not to agree with me) but I don’t see the point. However, once again, time and actual gameplay will tell.
 
So far I’ve only spotted one “see table xx” typo.
 
Overall, a nice set of rules, well produced and laid out. They should give a decent game which I’d expect people to pick up pretty quickly and which should play out pretty quickly too.
 
Would I take this over 5 Parsecs or Enderain? Possibly not but I can see me playing it with my grown-up older son over those two.
 
A welcome addition to my stable of rules.

 YMMV

[Espritfigs]

And now https://www.marscodeaurora.com/ english version.

[Espritfigs]

And Interview with Minus ☺️👍
http://wargamingasp.blogspot.com/2023/03/interview-with-hugo-about-mars-code.html?m=1

[bluewillow]

Watched my first game at my French club, "Le squigs à lunettes" you do need to ensure that you have lots of cover as the shooting is deadly. I think I will pick the rules up in English (first language). I can see them being perfect for modern gang warfare and for my Judge Dredd near future games.

Questions if I may Espirit.

1. do you Plan add a Scenario or RPG type character expansion to the system, I can lots of scope for this. Especially for RPG.

2. Have you tried multiplayer on a larger table I even four or more players on a 6x4 (180 x 120cm)


Cheers
Matt

[Minus_]

Hi Matt, hi everybody !
I'm Minus, the other author (with Esprit that posted above). I came on this topic quite randomly, do not hesitate to use FB or Discord if you have questions for us (or you can post here and put a link on the FB group), you'll have bigger chances to get an answer that way.

Watched my first game at my French club, "Le squigs à lunettes" you do need to ensure that you have lots of cover as the shooting is deadly. I think I will pick the rules up in English (first language). I can see them being perfect for modern gang warfare and for my Judge Dredd near future games.

Yes, the game is brutal, and cover heavy terrain is highly recommended to hide, maneuver and progress in cover.
I am happy that you enjoyed the game you watched.

1. do you Plan add a Scenario or RPG type character expansion to the system, I can lots of scope for this. Especially for RPG.

We are currently working on scenarios, with narrative background to tie them, and a campaign system. We also had multiple requests for a RPG set in our universe, the answer is not "no" because I would love to do it someday, but not in a near future.

2. Have you tried multiplayer on a larger table I even four or more players on a 6x4 (180 x 120cm)

You can play until 4 players without problem, the book has multiplayer missions for 3/4 players. Just be aware that the more players there are, the more chaotic it gets. ^^
I have played 4 players games on 90x90cm and on 90x120cm.
For larger game, the mechanics of the game will work on bigger table, there no reason it wouldn't. But the players on opposite sides will probably not fight much against each other, and the players in the middle might get surrounded. If nobody cares to much about victory and you just want to play together a bigger game, go for it.
If you prefer to stay closer to the game as it was designed, I would suggest to make 2 or 3 players team. 2 vs 2, or 3 vs 3, or 2 vs 2 vs 2 games work pretty well.

I hope this helps.
If you need ressources we have put pdf, photos, examples, stl and so on on the website. Most of the content is translated in english, I still have a bit to do I do it when I have spare time.
https://www.marscodeaurora.com/en/the-game/

And the english FB group : https://www.facebook.com/groups/marscodeaurorathescifiskirmishgame