Ghost in the Machine

In a world where ghosts linger after death, bottlers are hired to help confused ghosts face reality, so they can become "lucid" and pass on, or use bottles to capture those too far gone -- the "illucid" ghosts -- and leave them in the so-called "ghost fields".

However, a technological marvel soon changed the world’s relationship with ghosts. By using “processed” ghosts, they are able to power incredible devices, and have built up advanced technology, allowing them to travel through the galaxy and live on multiple planets. Most of these ghosts are sourced as illucid spirits, but many shady corporations also buy and process lucid ghosts.

--

In Ghost in the Machine, you control Ryle, a bottler breaking into an abandoned facility said to contain ghosts. In the process, he discovers a secret project, as well as his own lies, and must come to a difficult decision. Unravel the story of what happened to the people you find, and help them become lucid by making them confront the lies they tell themselves.

While you explore the facility, you will come across items and talk to ghosts, which will give you keywords that you can use to prompt ghosts for more information. Find the right ones that make them confront their lies and slowly pull them into lucidity.

--

CONTROLS

• WASD to move
• E to interact and advance dialogue
• Tab to open and close the journal
• Mouse to navigate journal
• Left shift to toggle sprint

--

HINT: If you're feeling stuck, talk to people about their colleagues! There's a lot of important keywords to be found that way.

Also, listen to what people say when you interact with them with <E>. It'll guide you towards the keyword you need to advance their lucidity.

--

CREDITS

Concept and ideation: Cannice, Daniel Walker, Lexie Hofer, and Jaco van Hemert

Game Design: Jaco van Hemert

Programming: Daniel Walker and Jaco van Hemert

Art: Cannice and Lexie Hofer

Writing: Lexie Hofer and Jaco van Hemert

Music and SFX: Adam Wilson (Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4LPl847mx0YXLaLtXVkCV1?si=dQqRcR6-R6CU6p9LQZuXlw)

Voice acting: Adam Wilson and Cannice

With special thanks to Michael "Macajust" Utley and Anjru!