We look at The Electric State RPG, a role-playing game game featuring a slow motion apocalypse, haunting artwork, and a cyberspace plague so intoxicating that people died playing it … simply because they forgot to eat.
We start with Simon Stålenhag’s original art/fiction book, which depicts a young woman’s journey across the wrecked remains of the United States. We then walk through the role-playing game, discussing its setup, mechanics, and how it translates art book into a different kind of apocalyptic game.
Finally, we get confused about the upcoming 2025 The Electric State movie. Directed by the Russo Brothers, it shares the visual aesthetic of the book and the game, but the setting itself has gone from somber death dream to … action comedy?
After geeking out about The Electric State, we talk about Netflix’s new KAOS series (featuring Greek gods in a modern day setting), the Balder’s Gate 3 and Mechwarrior 5 video games, using Obsidian for an Ironsworn: Starforged solo campaign, and news of various Lair experiments.
- Check out our unboxing of the Electric State RPG!
Chapter List
0:00 Intro
2:15 Introducing The Electric State
3:40 Exploring Themes of The Electric State: A Slow-Motion Apocalypse
6:10 Comparisons to The Last of Us and the Visual Narrative
7:55 The Netflix Adaptation: Apocalypse Meets Comedy?
10:05 Year Zero Engine and Its Role in The Electric State RPG
14:50 David’s Thoughts on MechWarrior 5: Tactical Mech Combat
16:50 Ken’s Adventures in Baldur’s Gate 3: An Epic Battle with a Door
19:25 Starforged, Solo Campaigns, and Using Obsidian for RPG Journaling
26:05 Winter Break Gaming Plans and Balancing Nostalgia
28:20 Revisiting KAOS on Netflix: Greek Myths and Modern Horrors
30:40 Planning for Starforged and Co-op Gameplay
35:00 Outro: Cloaking Device and Final Remarks
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Watch The Electric State RPG (S4E11) on YouTube
Show Notes
Introduction
- Ken beat Hades. Insomuch as anyone can beat Hades. The game REALLY keeps going after it is “finished”.
- David completed his gaming coffee table project.
The Electric State
The Electric State book and RPG are set in an alternate 1997, where a slow-motion apocalypse combined with a virtual reality addiction, is wiping out civilization.
The Electric State art/fiction book
Released in 2018, The Electric State is a hybrid art book/fiction book. It’s a story of a slow motion apocalypse, and tells the story of a young woman and her robot traveling through a ruined American landscape in an alternate 1997. The world’s been wrecked by a plague of virtual reality, which almost everyone succumbed to.
Like Stålenhag’s Tales from the Loop, the book is a combination of art and written fiction. Unlike Tales from the Loop, there’s little wistfulness or sense of nostalgia in The Electric State. It’s about the end of the world … and it’s a somber read.
It’s been categorized as a graphic novel, but it’s more of a novella wrapped in beautiful artwork. Most pages feature a short narrative, usually connected to the illustration on the accompanying pages.
The Electric State RPG
Inspired by the artbook, The Electric State RPG is published by Free League. It was funded by a Kickstarter, which raised $413,598 from 5,715 backers.
Game Mechanics:
- Powered by Free League’s Year Zero Engine [PDF] , used in games like ALIEN, Tales from the Loop, and Mutant Year Zero.
- Emphasis on survival, exploration, and narrative-driven journeys in a crumbling, dystopian America.
- Ideal for players in the right headspace, as the setting is emotionally heavy and reflective.
Narrative Depth:
- Rich background story involving Neuronics technology developed in the 1960s for remote-controlled warfare.
- Escalation to civil war and the fracturing of the United States into multiple factions (e.g., Pacifica, Texas).
- Rural areas devolve into lawlessness, while urban centers struggle to maintain order.
Role-Playing Experience:
- Players focus on the journey, survival, and uncovering the mysteries of the collapsing world.
- The tone and setting demand thoughtful storytelling, akin to Call of Cthulhu but more grounded and relatable.
The Electric State Movie
The Electric State movie is coming in March 2025. It’s directed by the Russo Brothers (The Winter Soldier, Infinity War, Endgame) and stars Millie Bobby Brown, Chris Pratt, and Devyn Dalton.
It’s described as an action comedy … and we have no idea how that reconciles with the depressing tone of the original art book:
- The Playlist: The Electric State’ First Look: Millie Bobby Brown & Chris Pratt Star In New Sci-Fi Film From The Russo Brothers
- YouTube: The Electric State teaser trailer
Nostalgia and Mechwarrior 5
David discusses MechWarrior 5, the evolution of BattleTech, and the appeal of tactical mech combat.
Baldur’s Gate 3
- Ken’s recent delve into Baldur’s Gate 3; struggles and humor involving game mechanics.
- Reflection on nostalgia and classic role-playing games from the 80s and 90s.
Starforged and Tabletop Campaign Tools
- Ken and David discuss the use of Obsidian for campaign journaling and planning.
- Potential video project idea: using Obsidian for solo RPG games like Ironsworn: Starforged.
Lair of Secrets News
- Experimenting with YouTube Shorts and future plans for Instagram content.
- Updates on winter gaming projects, YouTube ideas, and possible multiplayer MechWarrior sessions.
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Featured Image Meta
Cover art from The Electric State RPG.