Developer Wrong Organ, known for its breakout hit Mouthwashing, is venturing into co-op multiplayer with its next title, Carcass Clad. While a departure from its previous work, the game aims to capture the emergent, high-stress gameplay of tank combat.
Carcass Clad originated from an idea for a tank game where players would control multiple aspects of a single vehicle. This concept quickly evolved into a co-op multiplayer experience. "We had a cool idea for a tank game, and it was going to be a tank game where you control three people at once," explained developer Jeffrey Tomec. "Then we were like, 'That seems like it could just be a co-op game.' And now it's a co-op game."
The core gameplay loop centers around a three-player crew operating a single tank: a driver, a gunner, and a commander. Each role is specialized and intentionally limited to foster reliance on teammates. The driver has poor visibility, while the gunner is restricted to a zoomed-in scope, mirroring the claustrophobic reality of tank interiors.
The commander role is designed to compensate for these limitations. Equipped with a periscope and ranging tools, the commander acts as the eyes and ears of the crew, providing crucial information and strategic direction. This "man in the chair" fantasy is central to the game's design, emphasizing communication and coordination.
Wrong Organ describes Carcass Clad as a "friendsweat" game, a term that sits between the detailed simulation of military games and the more casual co-op experiences found in titles like Peak. "We're definitely not quite at Peak, but we're not trying to make Arma either," Tomec stated. The goal is to blend the tactical depth and consequence of milsims with a more accessible, fantastical setting, drawing parallels to Helldivers' approach to military mechanics.
Enemy tanks in Carcass Clad will feature "carcass clad" armor, essentially improvised plating that players must break through before damaging the main vehicle. While player tanks won't focus on this type of external modification, there is a possibility for a "weird, carcassy horror" to enter the player's vehicle from within.
The game's structure is envisioned to have a Left 4 Dead-like progression, with periods of intense action punctuated by safer downtime. "There's a kind of Left 4 Dead run structure, where you'll have safe rooms in between, and in safe rooms you're very likely to be able to leave the tank," said Dave van Egdom. However, he cautioned that the development is ongoing and features could change to best serve the core experience.
Tomec noted that the inspiration for Carcass Clad also comes from a desire to recreate the emergent, often stressful, moments seen in tank movies. The cramped confines of the vehicle and limited situational awareness are intended to create a high-tension atmosphere where enemies can easily surprise the crew.
