Renowned developer Sam Barlow, known for Immortality and Her Story, has unveiled a new project titled Precognition. This sci-fi horror game is currently in development at Half Mermaid Productions and features writing from Brandon Cronenberg, director of Antiviral and Infinity Pool. While he may not be David Cronenberg, having any Cronenberg in your credits is definitely a win. When was the last time you collaborated with a Cronenberg?
I personally enjoyed Infinity Pool, and the concept of Precognition intrigues me. The game follows a woman with brain implants who can select between visions to shape a variety of potential dark futures. Interestingly, Precognition initially stemmed from a somewhat random idea for a Metroid game. Watch the trailer below.
Recently, we had the opportunity to participate in a roundtable Q&A session with Barlow, hosted by the creators of Phasmophobia, Kinetic, who have just launched a publishing label. During the session, Barlow shared insights into how Precognition functions. Similar to Immortality, the game involves assembling your own narrative film by navigating through clips and connecting plot points. However, in Precognition, these clips represent visions.
The main character, Diana, is a child prodigy with a photographic memory participating in a brainchip experiment from the 1990s. Initially aimed at enhancing memory function, the experiment unveils a side effect – patients start receiving ‘memories from the future’. Diana stands out as she can retain these memories while others forget them quickly. She can also choose to embrace specific memories, leading to distinct timelines. Barlow likened this mechanic to the film Memento, where the protagonist preserves his past on Polaroids.
Reflecting on the horror genre, Barlow mentioned, “With Immortality, there was an explicit shift towards ‘making a horror game.’ While we made it clear, it was still possible for players to overlook the horror aspect until later. With Precognition, we aim to continue exploring this path, delving into a science fiction horror narrative set ‘five minutes in the future.’ It focuses on the terrifying elements lurking just around the corner, reflecting the unsettling aspects of our current world.”
The narrative of Precognition unfolds in the 90s to avoid becoming overly focused on futuristic elements as the story progresses. Barlow explained, “We didn’t want the game to be about envisioning the future or filled with sci-fi tropes like robots. Instead, it delves into personal transformation and the consequences of possessing precognition. The 90s sci-fi horror aesthetic provided a unique flavor, drawing inspiration from the era’s vision of the future.” He referenced the neonoir movement and films like Strange Days as influential in shaping the game’s atmosphere.
Barlow described Precognition as a complex project mapping out numerous potential futures and timelines. Initially conceived as a ‘cooldown project’ after Immortality, the game quickly evolved into a highly ambitious endeavor. Despite attempts to simplify the concept, it expanded into a multifaceted experience with intricate storytelling elements.
Drawing parallels to player agency in The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Barlow emphasized the exploration and discovery aspects of Precognition’s narrative. He humorously acknowledged his frequent references to Zelda, joking about putting a dollar in the swear jar each time he mentions the game.
While early ideas for Precognition revolved around a Metroid-inspired FMV game, Barlow’s love for the Metroid series heavily influenced the project’s development. The game’s core concept evolved into a darker narrative with intricate story structures, distinct from traditional Nintendo themes.
Influenced by Phillip K Dick and Groundhog Day, Barlow’s narrative choices in Precognition aim to subvert typical time travel tropes, focusing on stories that lead to poignant conclusions. The game explores themes of freedom, inevitability, and the consequences of altering one’s reality.
Brandon Cronenberg’s involvement in the writing process adds a unique perspective to Precognition. Although not present during the call, Cronenberg contributed to the story development and scene writing, aligning his interest in character-driven horror with the game’s narrative.
Precognition is set for release in spring 2028. While the future remains uncertain, the anticipation for Barlow’s latest creation is palpable. For a deeper dive into his previous work, check out Alice Bell’s review of Immortality. She praised the game’s ambitious exploration of various themes but noted some areas where it fell short.
