Funcom and Alice & Smith have released a new ARG for Rocket Pocket Games’ upcoming Lovecraftian cosmic horror game, Moons of Madness.
The ARG, CyranoStory.com, allows players to dig into the upcoming game’s lore by inputting words and interacting with an advanced Google-powered AI that was taught 298 human phobias.
Players that check out the ARG can not only learn more about the game’s lore, but also win one of 2,000 game keys upon release. There’s also a grand prize that includes two VIP tickets to Space Center Houston. Full details about the contest will be revealed via CyranoStory on October 25th at Noon EST. You can find the latest trailer for Moons of Madness above.
Here’s a rundown of the game:
A mysterious signal has been recorded coming from the red planet.
The message confounded Orochi scientists. Their analysts broke it down and determined it was of intelligent origin. Orochi management immediately concluded that the discovery was too sensitive for public knowledge and moved to keep it hidden. In secret, the corporation began construction of Trailblazer Alpha, a state-of-the-art Mars research outpost designed to identify the true nature of the message.
You are Shane Newehart, an engineer stationed at Trailblazer Alpha and your security clearance means you are completely unaware of the existence of the mysterious signal. Your job is simply to keep the lights on until the transport ship Cyrano arrives bringing with it a new team to take over your duties.
Soon you discover strange and unusual setbacks. Crucial systems are malfunctioning, the greenhouse is filled with a strange mist and the rest of your team has yet to return from their EVA mission.
Things are starting to fall apart.
You begin seeing and hearing things that aren’t there. Visions, hallucinations – or is that even what it is? Is this real… or are you slowly descending into madness?
Experience true cosmic horror
With your only hope of rescue hundreds of thousands of miles away, you will be forced to explore the real-world fears of isolation and paranoia, enhanced with supernatural elements and cosmic horror. Terrifying visions and monstrous apparitions will make you question what is real and what is not as the very fabric of reality threatens to tear at the seams.
Explore the darker side of Mars
Navigate a functioning Mars base in a game that uses non-fiction elements to immerse players in a believable setting. Overcome obstacles using computers, electrical systems, rovers, solar panels and more, then go beyond the outpost and explore the darker side of Mars.
Moons of Madness draws upon the rich lore and mythology of Funcom’s Secret World Legends. Both games exist in the same thematic universe, but playing one is not a prerequisite to enjoy the other.
Moons of Madness will be launching for Windows PC via Steam on October 22nd, with PS4 and Xbox One ports releasing on January 21st.
