Debt-ridden and desperate? Get out of the red and into The Red! Join the Red Horizons on Mars as an Extraction Security Associate and pay off your debts by defending your way to wealth in this ironic first-person-shooter/tower-defensy/existential-horror adventure!
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Release Date:
May 18, 2023
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Early Access Game

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Note: This Early Access game is not complete and may or may not change further. If you are not excited to play this game in its current state, then you should wait to see if the game progresses further in development. Learn more

What the developers have to say:

Why Early Access?

“As a solo developer, I have very few datapoints with regards to playtesting and performance, so before I move on to finalizing the plot I am interested in gathering general feedback about the gameplay, information on what systems it can and can't run on at what graphics quality, and bug reports. Early Access also provides me an opportunity to build a community of players who are invested in the game's development and might want to be a part of shaping its future, or its sequels.”

Approximately how long will this game be in Early Access?

“I've got a few more months worth of story content to implement before the full release.”

How is the full version planned to differ from the Early Access version?

“Still left to implement are adding more complex enemy AI behavior, updating the graphics/animation with more professional assets when possible to do so, and completing the subversive storyline. In addition to that, I hope to do a lot of balancing, and, of course, fixing of any bugs or performance issues found during early access. Also, I would eventually like to implement a competitive multiplayer mode.”

What is the current state of the Early Access version?

“All features listed in the About This Game section are complete. The animation and graphics are a little rough around the edges, but there is still a very fun yet challenging game loop, with a win condition (i.e. earning enough money to go home) which can be met using a variety of strategies. There are also hints of a larger storyline that promise a more complex ending, but that plotline is not yet complete.”

Will the game be priced differently during and after Early Access?

“The final price will reflect the amount of effort and content that goes into the final version, but probably no more than twice the current price range.”

How are you planning on involving the Community in your development process?

“I hope the community can help me refine gameplay by alerting me to bugs or performance issues, and by suggesting changes or new ideas for input controls, items, weapons and/or even enemies if they feel there are holes in the experience. I plan to communicate via Steam, Discord and Reddit.”
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About This Game

Prepare for an immersion into a mildly cynical first-person-shooter experience with tower-defense and adventure gaming elements that unveils the true essence of corporate exploitation. Embark on a journey as an unwittingly indentured security associate on Mars, trapped in the clutches of a heartless megacorporation demanding you work for peanuts defending their assets while occasionally trying to kill you for the insurance money. Your role? Collect and defend dirt. Literal, unadulterated dirt, from the ground. And before you assume there's a fun euphemistic meaning behind "dirt," -- perhaps corporate espionage? -- nope, think again!; it's plain ol' dirt. Fancy, astronomically-priced dirt, sure, but it's still just dirt. Yet, don't let that dampen your spirits because the pay is nothing short of extravagant. You'll get a slice of the pie for every ounce of soil you muster forth. Upon your triumphant return, assuming you survive, a generously meager fraction of your collected dirt's value will be transmuted into your earnings, and it will be a lot more than you'd ever have made on Earth. Quite possibly surpassing the net worth of your entire hometown. If, against all odds, you survive the scant days it takes to clear your debt, and provided you don't splurge at the company's convenience store, Earth will welcome you back, a wealthy dreamer. So, flash us that team-player smile, security associate! A few days of hard work on Mars, and, one way or the other, you'll never work again.

Players can expect to:

  • Enjoy free coffee! (Note: charges may apply)
  • Build and place a variety of turrets, light-walls, proximity mines, and energy shields at strategic locations to protect both main base and resource extraction points from waves of enemies.
  • Use a variety of first-person weapons to help shore up defenses and personally protect high-value assets.
  • Repair damaged extractors to keep the 'fab flowing.
  • Use your extracted resources to build new extractors and use specialized equipment to determine optimal locations to place them based on resource density in the surrounding areas.
  • Earn enough money to pay for a trip back home to Earth. Earn even more to live the good life when you get back home.
  • Be in constant threat of danger at all times, from both the local wildlife who will rip out a player's lungs before they can scream, and from their employer who took out a hefty life insurance policy on them. Should have read the fine print, sucker!
  • Have a pizza party every thursday! (Note: pizza parties may be canceled until further notice)

The game is easy to enjoy for its stress-relieving alien-murdering properties, but is extremely hard to win. It begins at a breakneck pace which eventually evolves into complete mayhem. There are horrifying secrets to discover if you're willing to break the rules, but you may not like what you find. Dying often is expected, even on the easiest difficulty. The hardest difficulty is intentionally unfair and quite possibly unbeatable. If you do survive, however, you will have earned more than you could have ever hoped to see in your entire lifetime. So, what are you waiting for? An application?

---

Location: Mars
Salary: Extremely Competitive
Job Type: Full-time

Red Horizons, a subsidiary of ∑d/x, is seeking highly motivated and skilled individuals to join our team as an Extraction Security Associates on Mars. As an Extraction Security Associate, you will be responsible for protecting our FabriClay™ extraction operations, repairing damaged extractors, prospecting for new FabriClay™ deposits, and ensuring the safety of our employees.

Responsibilities:
Monitor the area for potential threats and take appropriate action to address them.
Operate Proprietary SentiScan™ device and place turrets in optimal locations to deter unwanted threats.
Maintain and repair equipment, including periodically manually emptying FabriClay™ collectors.
Conduct regular safety drills to improve overall efficiency and safety.

Requirements:
Grade school diploma or equivalent.
Strong problem-solving and critical thinking skills, especially in high-stress and/or life-threatening situations.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure and physically demanding environment.
Excellent communication and teamwork skills while under duress.
Must be physically fit and able to operate heavy equipment, even while injured.
No fear of enclosed sharp spaces.

Benefits:
Competitive salary and benefits package. Security Extraction Associates receive room and board and a generous equity share of all FabriClay™ collection (current market rate).
Opportunity to work on Mars and be a part of the space exploration industry.
Access to our exclusive recreational amenities, including the TuneMaster 5000 music-radio and the Castle Creator Chrome Recreation Enhancement System.
Join our team today and become a part of the future of space exploration!

System Requirements

    Minimum:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 11
    • Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10980HK CPU @ 2.40GHz, 3096 Mhz, 8 Core(s), 16 Logical Processor(s)
    • Memory: 32 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
    Recommended:
    • Requires a 64-bit processor and operating system
    • OS: Windows 11
    • Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i9-10980HK CPU @ 2.40GHz, 3096 Mhz, 8 Core(s), 16 Logical Processor(s)
    • Memory: 32 GB RAM
    • Graphics: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080
    • Storage: 1 GB available space
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