Scars Above: How classic sci-fi and modern storytelling combine for a new narrative adventure

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All of us in the studio have been big sci-fi fans since we were kids, and some of us are now in our 40s, which means we’ve been into sci-fi for several decades.

Many things have changed since some of these classic stories were first told; but the core themes seem to remain just as thoughtful and stories seem just as relevant today as they were then, even if they missed the mark in some details. For example, an Xbox console is likely several orders of magnitude more powerful than the original Enterprise’s central computer in terms of response time to Mr. Spock’s requests.

We brought that love of sci-fi into our game – scars aboveA single-player, third-person action-adventure. scar combines the rewarding sense of overcoming difficulties with an immersive sci-fi story. In fact, the challenge itself is woven into the narrative, as are the game’s core mechanics. Set on a mysterious alien world, you play as a stranded astronaut faced with overwhelming odds and must use every resource at her disposal to survive. From crafting and using elemental weapons and gadgets to exploiting enemy fauna and flora weaknesses and environmental opportunities, the approach to combat isn’t just a design choice, it’s also a storytelling choice.

While writing scars above, we wanted to capture an old-school sci-fi feel; partly because of our love for these stories, but also because of their enduring relevance, thrill, and imagination that stands the test of time. Of course we gave our story a modern touch and hopefully managed to slip in a few surprises here and there.

While scar draws inspiration from many sources – and there are too many to list here – while I was developing the game’s original concept, a few genre-defining works stuck in my mind: the ethical dilemmas of science and the dangers of the unchecked technological Advances in Foundation by Asimov; the mission-oriented AI without ethical constraints from Clarke’s 2001: A Space Odyssey; and, perhaps surprisingly, the weirdness and the unexpected behind the rabbit hole in Carrol’s Alice in Wonderland left their mark on Kate’s journey on the mysterious extrasolar planet.

With the cult classics on screen, the comparison with Alien is of course obvious; from the ingenuity of Ellen Ripley to the biological horror of the xenomorph. A less obvious inspiration comes from a film before my time (I remember watching it as a kid on TCM, it was an “old classic” even then) – “Forbidden Planet” from 1956. It was the first Science -Fiction movie set entirely on another planet, far away from Earth. It also featured one of the first AI characters with their own personalities.

After all, the idea of ​​protagonists being explorers and scientists instead of soldiers and warriors stems from Star Trek – an ongoing source of inspiration for our entire studio. In fact, here are some little things for you: Kate is named after actress Kate Mulgrew – Captain Janeway from Star Trek Voyager.

Good sci-fi is timeless and we hope to have captured some of its essence in the story scars above, giving it a bit of that enduring quality. Of course, it’s a modern story in a modern story-driven action game that follows current trends in both gameplay and storytelling. Our plan has always been to have an interplay between the story and the game mechanics. For example the way scar is challenging, reflecting the gamut between Kate and the horrifying biological monstrosities she must face. Rather than combat training, Kate’s engineering and scientific skills translate into gadgets and weapons that players must rely on as part of the game’s tactical combat.

When not fighting, Kate solves the planet’s mystery and unveils the story through research and scientific exploration, which is also represented through the gameplay. We made the gameplay mechanics part of the story (even the respawn mechanic is a narrative element) and we used the story to drive the design of the mechanics. It’s a modern story told through modern gameplay – inspired by sci-fi classics and eternal themes of human curiosity, exploration and science; and of course alien planets full of spooky monsters.

We can’t wait for you to use your knowledge, experimentation, tactical thinking and sharp shooting skills to beat the odds – all while struggling to remain calm and precise during intense moments of terror. scars above out today, February 28th^th for Xbox One and Xbox Series X|S.