In The Alters, the player assumes control of a miner named Jan Dolski. Jan needs to pilot a massive, wheel-shaped base along the planet surface to stay out of the range of the sun, which can kill him due to lethal radiation.[1] It is a survival game in which players need to explore the planet and mine for resources and materials, which is essential for maintaining and expanding the base.[2] Infrastructure, such as electricity pylons, must be built to provide power for mining equipment. Base expansion is similar to games such as Fallout Shelter and XCOM, with players being tasked to attach new rooms and modules to the base, advancing its capabilities and keeping its crew content.[3] Each segment of the game is timed, as the sun will rise and obliterate the player's entire crew. One second of real-world time is equivalent to one in-game minute.[2]
To survive and escape before sunrise, he must create "Alters" using a crystal named Rapidium. Alters are alternate versions of himself who made different life choices, and therefore, have their own distinct skill sets, lifestyles and personalities. Using a system named the "Tree of Life", the original Jan can look at his own life path and choose which Alter to bring into life.[4] Alters can offer solutions to the problems the player is currently facing. For instance, a scientist Jan may be able to help players to research new ways to navigate through the game's hostile environments. Each Alter has their own emotions, needs and fears, and players need to regularly check on their status. If left unattended, they may act rashly, resulting in unforeseen consequences.[5] There is a maximum number of Alters a player can create in one playthrough.[6]
Development
The Alters is currently developed by Polish game developer 11 Bit Studios, which had previously worked on This War of Mine and Frostpunk. The game was revealed by 11 Bit Studios in June 2022 during the PC Gaming Show 2022.[7] It is currently scheduled to release for PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S in early 2025.[8]
Lead artist Tomasz Kisilewicz explained to the press that the game was influenced by psychological thrillers, and went on to describe The Alters as a "weird game".[3][9] While he described collecting resources as "the very base" of the game's economy, time was the game's most precious resources. While there are multiple ways for players to solve a certain problem, they would not have time to perform every task and therefore, must think strategically and prioritze their goals. Gameplay wise, the game was inspired by Satisfactory.[6] The original idea for the game was to have players building and running a base in space by creating various copies of himself. The story of the game, which focused on how life choices and decisions may have led to very different outcomes, was created to supplement the setting. The team wanted these life choices to be relatable, as they are also commonly faced by people in real life. According to the studio, "each Alter has a very carefully prepared personality and story that the player can interact with while playing".[6]
