Caretaker Sacrifice (2016)

Overview: Caretaker Sacrifice is a highly immersive 6DOF game set in a distant future where the universe lies in ruins. The stars have long vanished, and all familiar life is gone, leaving the player alone in an endless void with a final critical mission: navigate an ancient alien machine to determine the ultimate fate of everything. The experience is narrated by David Hewlett, known for Stargate, and combines elements of exploration, problem-solving, and survival within a complex, alien environment.

Early Access Notice

Before purchasing Caretaker Sacrifice in its early access phase, players should understand that VR functionality is experimental and may be adjusted or removed according to community feedback. The game is undergoing a significant redesign influenced by player input, offering an opportunity for the community to shape its direction. Current discussions suggest a shift from a level-based structure to a more open-world approach, but ongoing feedback is crucial to finalize this transformation.

Gameplay and Objectives

Players must explore the intricate interiors of an alien device filled with challenges, puzzles, and hazards. The game emphasizes a cerebral and tactical approach to unraveling the mysteries of the universe’s collapse. Players will engage in strategic navigation, combat, and environmental interaction as they progress through the machine's labyrinthine sections.

Why Early Access?

The developer chose the early access model to gather actionable feedback from real players. Initial private testing revealed significant potential but also highlighted areas for improvement. By releasing the game in early access, the development process is collaborative, allowing community input to guide updates and improvements. The goal is not simply to release an unfinished product but to refine and enhance the gameplay through continuous interaction with players.

Development Schedule

Each level typically requires 3-4 days to design, depending on its complexity and scale. Weekly updates are planned, with modifications influenced by feedback from the existing Steam build. This ongoing development ensures that the game evolves in response to player experience and suggestions.

Full Version Plans

The final version of Caretaker Sacrifice will expand upon the early access build based on community engagement. Core gameplay elements will remain consistent, but additional levels and refinements will be incorporated. Early access pricing reflects the work-in-progress state, with the full release expected to have a higher price as content is added and the game reaches completion.

Controls

Joypad Controls:

• Left analog stick: Move forwards/backwards and strafe left/right
• Right analog stick: Look around
• Left/Right bumpers: Roll
• Left/Right triggers: Fire
• 'B': Emit radar pulse to locate portals and suppressors
• 'Y': Invert look direction

Mouse Controls:

• Mouse: Look around
• W, A, S, D: Move
• Left mouse button: Fire
• Right mouse button + movement or Q/E: Roll
• R/F: Move up and down
• Space: Emit radar pulse to locate portals and suppressors
• Y: Invert look direction

Additional Controls:

• 'C' (keyboard) or 'B' (joypad): Disable depth of field for performance or visual preference
• 'Esc': Exit the game completely
• '1' and '0' held together: Wipe automatic save and restart the experience

Note: A known Unity bug may cause the mouse to lose focus when running the game in windowed mode on PC. This will be resolved when Unity fixes the underlying issue.