Into the Vastness of Time and Space with Deep Future
Take an exciting journey in a completely custom galaxy with the intriguing print-and-play game, Deep Future.
Sometimes, it’s hard not to jump on the bandwagon with popular solo board games. Then again, that’s not the best choice for wallets! Luckily, Deep Future is a practically free print-and-play game that requires a minimal investment. It may not look like a lot on the surface… Yet there is the narrative potential for an unending space-related campaign!
Game Overview
Game Name: Deep Future
Publication Year: 2016
Designer: R. Winder
Artist: R. Winder
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Across a hex-based galaxy, worlds and techs take shape and power shifts. A unique make-as-you-play mechanic takes a basic deck of custom cards and transforms it over the course of play. The concept is pretty awesome: You end up with your own personalized galaxy with a history you know and techs you craft, for a totally unique game!
First Play
August 23, 2020
Complexity
3
Latest Play
September 2, 2023
Expansions
0
Setup Time
5 Minutes
Lifetime Plays
4
Play Time
1 Hour & 45 Minutes
High Score
N/A
Game Area
24" x 12"
Low Score
N/A
Pilfering Components
Every sector can hold a maximum of 5 discs, so I tried to find ways to indicate different counts. Bonus points if you can name the game that all of this came from!
But in general, the only main component consists of a custom deck of cards. These are usually handmade and shuffled over the course of play…
As usual, I wanted to try a different approach. My paper quality is rather poor, which would affect shuffling.
I used another solution that takes a lot of the game digital. Maybe not ideal, but I figured it would work for me!
The Badger Deck
For ages now, I’ve had the entire collection of The Badger Deck sitting around. It’s barely been used. Until now!
It features up to 10 different suits with cards of many values. This game requires 6 suits of values 1-6, but I figured out a way to map this out for myself.
One neat aspect is how the cards are all multipurpose. There aren’t multiple piles to track action cards, worlds, techs, or anything else: They’re all the same.
So if I drew these cards, that might indicate sector 42 or a 4 of red flowers. Or even both suits. It all depends!
Multipurpose Cards in Deep Future
Having multiple purposes for a single card is a mechanic I often enjoy. If nothing else, it often cuts down on the number of components! More importantly, though, it creates more interesting decisions. Do I want to save this card, which represents a world, to settle later on or might it be more beneficial as an action? The choices are much… Deeper? Ha!
Writing directly on the cards is still likely the best way to play, so take my method with a grain of salt. This requires a lot of cross-referencing, which I oddly enjoy, but know that some small index cards will also do the trick! There are also a few printable templates out there for at least filling in the suits and values to get started. Choose what works for you!
12 Starting Worlds
At the start of each campaign, a total of 12 starting worlds are created. These populate the galaxy and provide a starting point, particularly for a rich narrative.
The location, or sector, of each world is generated by drawing 2 cards. More importantly, a single advancement provides the basis for every world. It’s a simple process.
I had an absolute blast with the setup! It took me some time since I was still learning the rules at the same time.
But then it all started to come together. A pair of worlds with a medicine advancement? This could be intriguing…
An Overview of My Starting Worlds
To fully enjoy the game, it pays to use your imagination and allow little stories to develop. Keep in mind that this is designed to be a campaign-style game that can be played as long as desired. The galaxy takes shape over multiple eras, with victories and losses adding to its history. There are millennia to play through at your own pace!
Borphon
Location: Sector 45
Advancement: Chemistry
Trusted with the scientific secrets of an unknown alien species, Borphones are equally mysterious and rarely make contact.
Elishar
Location: Sector 16
Advancement: Military
At a pivotal central point, Elisharians are dedicated to a life of service to protect what they see as the heart of the galaxy.
Heliodon
Location: Sector 42
Advancement: Physics
Helidonians exist in the precarious balance of a shared synthetic orbit that threatens to collapse with every cycle.
Juntau
Location: Sector 41
Advancement: Machinery
Situated on the edge of the galaxy, Juntegians live an isolated existence where mechanic breakdowns are unthinkable.
Kirkwork
Location: Sector 54
Advancement: Machinery
Kirkworkians live a life of hard work, surrounded by the gears and cogs that replaced the natural environment long ago.
Noriaka
Location: Sector 33
Advancement: Leisure
Far on the outskirts of the galaxy, Noriakans are an inward group that measures lifelong success based on leisure time.
Ordoxinzybov B-6
Location: Sector 63
Advancement: Medicine
One part of the Ordoxinzybov Project, B-6s place ethics and safety at the forefront of their deliberate process of development.
Ordoxinzybov M-18
Location: Sector 63
Advancement: Medicine
Another part of the Ordoxinzybov Project, M-18s live in a literal and metaphorical cocoon where tests go unimpeded.
Paligoria
Location: Sector 25
Advancement: Empire
Paligorians celebrate their ancestors’ discipline with strict measures to ensure the survival of a timeless empire.
Shale's Fall
Location: Sector 13
Advancement: Empire
The Fallen are the last of Commander Shale’s fleet, which was inexplicably attacked on the fringes on the galaxy.
Thropforce
Location: Sector 26
Advancement: Empire
Built upon the crumbling remnants of the past, Thropforcites exist to steal power and extend their reach in the galaxy.
Woldin
Location: Sector 65
Advancement: Defense
Woldinians are a scarred group from eons of unrest, leading to fragmented societies focused entirely on defense.
An Expanse of Space
With just a few cards and a handful of ideas, I had a pretty interesting galaxy to explore. Which world would become a civilization, and which might fall off into oblivion?
Although I had the components all set and could start to play, there was something I wanted to do with the game…
Actually, this idea came to me immediately when I saw the map for the first time! Yet another added feature that isn’t necessary to play. But get ready to watch this transform.
I started off with an empty swatch of space. That’s right: This comes from a digital program called Hex Kit!
Into the Black Hole
These gorgeous tiles are an addon called Hex Kit: Spaceland Part One. I added the center of the galaxy, and then got a little creative with colorful nebulae.
Just more proof of how this game can be anything you want it to be! It really is easy to use the included tracking sheet and index cards, though. I just like my options!
You might notice how the inner space area resembles a hex. This is intentional… Just wait for it to be revealed.
Not to digress too much, but have I mentioned how much I love maps? Including vague galaxy maps, too. Ha ha!
Labels and More Labels
I know this isn’t very detailed, but know that I can zoom in extremely close to see every little aspect.
Such an awesome way to use this mapping software! Normally I could just look at the sectors, but I like to “see” what I’m playing. Even if it’s just for aesthetics!
Mapped out in this way, I felt like the galaxy teemed with even more stories. Why this random divide? I know it was the cards, but still! There had to be an explanation.
I also discovered that Kirkwork and Ordoxinzybov B-6 were in the same sector. Quite a hot spot for growth!
A Clear Night View
That’s better! With the ability to toggle tags on and off, I could get a clear picture of my starting galaxy. Pretty, no?
During the setup process, I discarded 5 cards to look for the homeworld of my first game. Exciting! It’s possible to create a new world in this way, but instead…
I ended up with Ordoxinzybov B-6. That would be the bright green world near the lower left. Nice place to be!
Which is actually true from a gameplay standpoint. Settling new worlds is part of the strategy, and being in close proximity was an exciting prospect.
Virtual Documents to Mark My Journey
Before I even started to put anything together, I headed down my very odd path for learning rules… I rewrote the entire rulebook for myself! This is something I often do for unofficial solo variants or print-and-play games. It never reflects on the quality of said rules, either. When I figured out it’s how I often learn best, I stuck with it!
Besides, I had to do a little iconography conversion to make it easy to utilize my unique deck. Maybe these Google Doc links will be useful… And maybe they won’t be. But for your perusal should you be interested:
- Deep Future Rules: My set of rewritten rules that helped me learn the game better, complete with my deck icons.
- Deep Future Cards: My reference list of cards with all of the details about the contents of my deck.
- Deep Future Log: My turn-by-turn chronology of every action and challenge for more stories later on.
The card list and log give away the details of my first play. Below are my thoughts about what transpired during era 1, game 1. Suffice to say that I was excited throughout the entire process and had a couple of hours just slip right on by!
Into the Dark
How can I sum up the experience of Ordoxinzybov B-6? It was a prosperous world with every opportunity to expand.
Into the darkness of space, the B-6s explored and quickly captured. Borphon, Kirkwork, Juntau, and Noriaka all came under their control. The power was enlightening.
Their knowledge saw the development of candy ribbon engines and levitating potatoes. Neither was to be discounted, for they served the B-6s well.
Ordoxinzybov B-6 became a knowledge repository not only for medical texts, but also for the science of physics.
A Mighty Fall
All that power attracted attention from around the galaxy. Internally, the B-6s struggled to keep their focus on ethical medicine. Not when there was so much to explore!
Resources became scarce as they expanded. A Xeno threat emerged… But it wasn’t the only threat. Nor the worst.
Time and time again, they overcame the challenges. Separatists and corruption emerged, yet they survived.
A rising warlord caught their attention, though. Mutated from a battery of early experiments, he led a band of space pirates on many attacks. One too many for the B-6s, sadly.
A Strategy of Losing
I had it all worked out! With 3 of 4 complete cards, this was an agonizing time to lose. Alas, the yellow pyramid cards just didn’t cooperate as I needed them to!
The benefit of this game is how losses simply add to the galaxy. I’ll play in the same era next time.
My homeworld may be different, yet everything from Ordoxinzybov B-6 will still be in the deck. Neat, huh? Nothing was truly lost here, and it was worth my time!
Also, I recommend not judging my play time as an accurate depiction. I was fully immersed in my galaxy!
Session Overview
Play Number: 1
Solo Mode: Included in the Base Game
Play Details: Era 1, Game 1
Required Play Space: 24″ x 12″
Setup Time: 5 Minutes
Play Time: 2 Hours
Outcome: Loss
Interestingly, I probably made my fatal mistake when I settled the 1 of yellow pyramids (Noriaka) and started a tech on the 2 of yellow pyramids (levitating potatoes). As central as the story is, the cards have plenty of strategies!
%
1 Play
Affordability
Price & Value
10
Functionality
Challenges & Mechanics
9
Originality
Design & Theme
9
Quality
Components & Rules
8
Reusability
Achievement & Enjoyment
6
Variability
Distinctness & Randomness
9
+ Pros (Positives)
- The possibilities are staggering in the way a galaxy can develop in many different ways, all customizable.
- Even a loss isn’t a wasted experience since worlds and techs are built up and may be used in future plays.
- The necessary components are minimal, and the investment needed to print out a few pages is close to nothing.
- Each successive play adds to the galaxy, allowing for an endless campaign mode that feels interesting.
- Small stories develop easily and can evolve into a greater narrative with little effort simply from playing.
- Multipurpose cards create interesting decisions about how and when to optimally use each individual card.
– Cons (Negatives)
- The rulebook takes some time to understand and digest, as a single readthrough typically won’t suffice.
- Some level of luck can make the challenge phase extremely difficult, even with a lot of planning.
- To truly enjoy the game requires a certain level of imagination and storytelling, which isn’t always easy.
- It may go along with how the rules are written, but the sequence of play can be a little hard to follow at times.
Continue the Conversation
What happened during your most recent play of Deep Future? Has anything memorable happened in your galaxy? I’m excited to keep going through this era to see what else I’ll find. Maybe one of these worlds will turn out to be amazing. Or, I might come up with another tech to rival my fantastically odd inventions! All I know is that this is worth playing.
Very creative way to play! I didn’t know how you were going to make the Badger Deck work. I like your vignettes for your worlds.
Thanks, Krista! It’s still probably not the most ideal way to play for most, but I like trying random things. It works for me so far and I’m having a wonderful time! Now to see how these worlds evolve over time…
I’m definitely going to have to give this a try. I like how you made the space map for a nice touch!
Good luck, Jay! The original rules can be a little confusing, but they include a lot of extra lore. My rewritten rules might help from there. Enjoy, and thanks for enjoying this little space map!