FarBridge, the studio behind Vast Reaches, has announced Job Simulator: Human Relations, a new iteration of the popular VR title that aims to bring its signature brand of workplace absurdity to a wider audience, potentially on flat screen displays. The project is currently seeking crowdfunding via a Kickstarter campaign, with a goal of raising $150,000 to support its development.
This new iteration will allow up to four players to cooperate and complete tasks during a virtual eight-hour workday. Challenges will include competing for resources and surviving natural disasters, all in an effort to appease robotic overlords. Players will not embody humans directly but will instead control various robots navigating the complexities of the human workplace.
Backers of the Kickstarter campaign can expect tiered rewards, including access to private playtests, exclusive development insights, and VIP Discord channels. An entry-level "employment package" starts at $10, with higher tiers offering a Steam copy of the completed game, in-game recognition, and the opportunity to contribute creatively by designing a JobBot face or a corporate motivational poster. Successful achievement of stretch goals could lead to the expansion of the game with additional disasters, customization options, and new jobs.
Patrick Curry, CEO and founder of FarBridge, stated that the original Job Simulator excelled at finding humor in the mundane aspects of work. With Human Relations, the team explored how these scenarios would play out when experienced with friends. He noted that the decision to use Kickstarter stems from a desire to involve players in the development process from its inception.
Andrew Eiche, CEO of Owlchemy Labs, the original creators of Job Simulator, mentioned that with the cult classic approaching its 10th anniversary, the studio sought to evolve the experience. FarBridge was identified as a suitable partner due to their prior collaboration and shared creative sensibilities. Eiche expressed confidence in FarBridge's ability to capture the original game's humor and playful systems, extending that spirit to a new kind of experience for both long-time fans and newcomers.
Job Simulator, originally set in 2050, placed players in the role of an exhibit at the Museum of Human Employment. In this future, robots have curated an inaccurate representation of human work life based on fragmented data from social media, corporate training videos, and productivity advice. The game tasks players with performing their assigned duties and meeting production targets amidst surrounding chaos, with the ultimate goal of earning in-game promotions and perks.