Game Description
Watch The Skies: Second Sight
Game Description
WTS: Second Sight is a game about high-level political decisions during a crisis of extraterrestrial proportions. The majority of players represent various major nations, and the game is all about how this collection of different political entities decide to react to increased activity from a mysterious alien presence.
This game takes place in a world that is very much like our own. That means that players will have more than just space aliens to deal with – they will be responding to humanity as well, and will have to work on the alien situation alongside the evolving local crises that characterise our day-to-day world.
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The game blends both 'Political' (talking and negotiating) and 'Operational' (decisions, units and resources) gameplay. Some roles are exclusively Political, while others have a much greater focus on Operational matters. The game is very much grounded in a simulation of what would be considered the 'real world' - with realistic international-level events, as well as the expectations and demands of populations and key stakeholders affecting international decision-making.
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As the aliens' mysterious activities become greater and more frequent, how will humanity respond? What do the aliens want? Will the Earth survive? Nothing is certain, except that the aliens are coming - so be sure to 'Watch The Skies!'.
What is 'Watch The Skies!' and 'Second Sight'?
'Watch The Skies!' is the name of a series of megagames originally designed by Jim Wallman for the 'Megagame Makers'. Inspired by the X-COM series of video games, WTS was designed to look at some of the diplomatic challenges and high-level politics facing a world under covert (or even overt) attack by an alien menace. Since the game's first run in 2014, the game has been very popular, including being run by various groups across the world. This includes several runs of 'Watch The Skies!' by South West Megagames.
'Watch The Skies: Second Sight' is a new re-design of the version of the game run previously by South West Megagames. There are a couple of reasons why I wanted to bring this game out for another run.
Firstly, there were a number of new players who had only got into megagames recently and said they wanted an opportunity to play this game (as well as a few older players who still wanted to play it again!). Secondly, I wanted to take a second attempt at the game, using the feedback of the previous runs, as well as everything I've learned from the last few years, to produce an even more interesting and accessible gaming experience.
DO I NEED TO HAVE PLAYED 'WATCH THE SKIES!'?
Nope! The game is more of a re-design or "reboot" than a sequel - no prior knowledge or experience of any other 'Watch The Skies' game is necessary.
I'VE PLAYED 'WATCH THE SKIES!' BEFORE, IS THIS GAME MUCH DIFFERENT?
The biggest difference between 'Second Sight' and the previous SWMG version of 'Watch The Skies!' is the addition of Corporations as played teams. There are also major changes to the science and military mechanics. And of course - just because you've played WTS before, don't expect to know what the aliens are up to this time! Other than that the game is similar in what it seeks to simulate and the general scope of decisions and abilities of the player teams involved.
What kinds of roles and teams are available?
If you are interested in the game, you can look at the Roles Guide to find out team sizes, as well as learn more about the different playable roles so you can determine which is right for you.
Where can I play Watch The Skies: Second Sight?
South West Megagames are running Watch the Skies: Second Sight in the following locations. If you want to know when new games are announced, email us and ask to be added to our mailing list!
WTS: Second Sight - Bristol - 18/05/24
The game will be held at Frenchay Village Hall (Beckspool Rd, Frenchay, Winterbourne, Bristol BS16 1NU) on the 18th of May 2024. The game will run all day from about 10 am to about 5pm.
Reservations are currently open to reserve a place in the game - to sign up for the game and secure you or your team's spot, go to the Reservation Page.
Bookings are currently open to pay for your place in the game - tickets are £25 per standard player, and £5 for Control. Discount tickets of £15 per player are available to those who have never played a megagame before, or bring someone who has never played a megagame before. If you have a confirmed reservation, you can pay your booking on the Booking Page.
You can also join the Facebook group for more information and updates.
You can also follow our Facebook Page or Twitter to be notified of new developments:
Can I run Watch The Skies: Second Sight?
Watch The Skies is the Intellectual Property of its creator, Jim Wallman, and you can find the materials needed to run that game at his site Stone Paper Scissors. If you're thinking of running a game of Watch The Skies, or would like to run WTS:Second Sight, feel free to reach out to me at contact@swmegagames.co.uk for advice or more information. If you are interested in running megagames, or similar kinds of games yourself, you can find all of my available design packs on the 'Games for Sale' page.