Forward Instinct, the studio behind the immersive sim Midnight Ultra, is developing a new game called Keepsake County. This upcoming title is described as a "no-collar" immersive sim set in a fictionalized version of the Ozarks, where players will engage in petty thievery to survive.
In Keepsake County, players assume the role of a character whose family is in dire financial straits, with a father in jail, a mother in the hospital, and their home facing foreclosure. With no savings or job skills, the player must resort to stealing to raise cash. Their toolkit includes basic items like pliers, a screwdriver, dog treats, and a plastic shopping bag, which lead animator Bobby Matsudaira likens to a "companion NPC." The game aims to satirize the current economic struggles many people face, drawing from the developers' own experiences with gig work, freelancing, and unemployment.
The gameplay involves navigating everyday homes in search of valuables, from small items that fit in the player's bag to larger objects like paintings and electronics that must be carried manually. Players can employ stealth and evasion tactics, such as cutting phone lines, bribing guard dogs, or hiding in swimming pools. However, even mundane actions like landing too hard on a kitchen tile can create noise that attracts attention. Some residents may also be armed and willing to defend their property.
Lead developer Daniel Pomidor describes Keepsake County as a blend of the classic '90s PC game Thief: The Dark Project and the '80s cult film Repo Man. While the developers haven't claimed personal experience with juvenile delinquency, they found inspiration in pranks and a general sense of "tomfoolery." The game's nihilistic tone is partly a response to the tumultuous years the games industry and the world at large have experienced.
Initially, Forward Instinct considered a more fantastical concept for their follow-up to Midnight Ultra. However, the team found themselves drawn to merging the immersive sim genre with a more grounded, familial setting. Instead of elaborate heists in fantastical locations, the focus shifted to coordinated thefts in unassuming, rural communities. Pomidor stated that the game explores the "weird, goofy things and places people brush over every day" in the areas where he grew up.
During an encounter at DreamHack in Atlanta, the team showed an early build of Keepsake County to Thief creator Warren Spector. Pomidor recounted Spector jokingly offering him a job, a sentiment that highlights the game's connection to the immersive sim lineage.
Keepsake County is scheduled to be released on Steam on November 12th. The game features a cartoony presentation that contrasts with its gritty themes of survival and desperation. It promises an immersive simulation experience focused on the struggles of everyday life in overlooked parts of America.