Exploring the Existential Abyss: The Alters

Alternate Realities, Personal Discoveries

The premise of The Alters is both thought-provoking and haunting: What if your life had taken different turns? Protagonist Jan Dolski, a miner stranded on a hostile planet, creates versions of himself to compensate for his shortcomings. "The allure lies in encountering our alternate selves—exploring the uncharted paths our lives could have taken," says Tomasz Kisilewicz, game director.

As Jan grapples with his major life choices, the story branches out into a kaleidoscope of possibilities, revealing the "what if" scenarios he could have been. Each of these clones brings a unique set of skills and personalities, challenging him to navigate their cooperation.

Unveiling the Multifaceted Personality

"We focused on creating deeply realized characters whose motivations unravel gradually," explains Kisilewicz. "Understanding them requires difficult choices and introspections. As you progress, their layers peel away, revealing unexpected depths."

The game boasts "10 unique Alters," with potential hidden surprises. The encounters and discoveries vary with each playthrough. "It's crucial for players to meet different Alters and gain new insights on the ones they thought they understood," says Kisilewicz.

Whispers of Distinct Voices

11 Bit Studios faced the formidable task of giving each Alter a unique "voice." "They had to be distinct, yet authentically portrayed," explains Kisilewicz. "After all, they're different versions of the same person."

Through meticulous preparation and collaboration with actor Alex Jordan, they ensured that each Alter had subtle yet distinctive vocal characteristics. "We explored their backstories, imagining how their experiences shaped their speech. Could an early relocation influence their accent? Could years of addiction leave a vocal imprint?"

A Sci-Fi Narrative Grounded in Humanity

11 Bit Studios, renowned for Frostpunk, approaches sci-fi from a unique angle. "We draw inspiration from Stanislaw Lem's works rather than loud sci-fi spectacles," says Kisilewicz. "The alien world's allure lies in its rawness, mystery, and strange physics."

"Ultimately, it's a deeply personal story, with human experiences at its core," he emphasizes.

Navigating Multiversal Knots

While multiverses are a staple in pop culture, The Alters stands out by focusing on the "What if?" theme. Kisilewicz believes, "Our approach is unique in the way these alternate selves coexist. Players have agency, choosing which versions of themselves to interact with and facing the consequences."

"It's an empirical exploration of the 'What if?' question, best suited for the video game medium."

The Roving Base and Fluid Environments

Jan must navigate his base on a rotating hamster wheel to avoid the relentless sun's rays. "The base design's mobility gives it a dynamic, lifelike quality," says Kisilewicz. "Customizing and expanding it only heightens the thrill."

The game seamlessly transitions between third-person exploration and a dollhouse-like base view, reminiscent of This War of Mine. "We maintain visual coherence while creating a strong sense of scale and physicality," explains Kisilewicz. "The base is an integral part of the world, not a disconnected entity."

A Thought-Provoking Sci-Fi Experience

The Alters promises a captivating blend of sci-fi survival and multidimensional exploration. Its high-concept narrative is anchored in a profoundly human perspective. Managing different aspects of oneself amidst a philosophical quandary is an intriguing challenge that leaves me eager to delve into its existential depths.

Combining elements from Everything Everywhere All At Once and a uniquely self-reflective sci-fi setting, The Alters is poised to be an unforgettable gaming experience.