Summary
On November 6, Starward Industries is launching its first title, an adaptation of polish futurologist Stanisław Lem’s 1964 science-fiction novelThe Invincible.Starward developers have made their affection for Lem no secret and have stated that working on this specific property was a major draw for many of those joining the studio.The Invincibleadaptation promises to explore profound philosophical questions in the grand tradition of grounded, atompunk sci-fi.
Game Rant spoke with Starward’s CEO Marek Markuszewski about Lem’s legacy and the impact his concepts had on their"atompunk" adaptation. Of these concepts, necroevolution may be the most interesting. The term refers to the evolution of non-living materials, being extremely significant in the novel version ofThe Invincible,and the developers have confirmed it will play an important role in the game as well.
Life, But Not as We Know It
Like many influential science fiction writers, Lem’s writing defined terms that are still useful for scientific andphilosophical discussion. But Markuszewski was understandably coy about delving into necroevolution too deeply prior to the game’s launch:
“It’s a very important plot element in the game. We can’t go into too much detail to avoid spoiling the experience for players, but I can reveal that it’s the subject of significant and profound discussions that engage the player.”
Necroevolution is an idea that is specifically pertinent to the ‘smart dust’ and ‘grey goo’sci-fi tropes. The seemingly contradictory phrase poses a question all by itself: ‘if something can evolve, is it necessarily alive?’ That is the premise that kicks Rohan’s journey into high gear in the novel, and it’ll play some role in Yasna’s journey inThe Invincible’s adaptation. Like any good sci-fi what-if, the question spirals outward into a tree of other ethical and philosophical inquiries, such as ‘if machines aren’t biologically alive, are they owed the same ethical consideration as biological life?’ or, ‘if the machinesarebiologically alive, where should that line be drawn?’
The game’s tagline, “Not everything everywhere is for us,” is not only a warning about encountering monsters among the stars, but a warning against humanity acting monstrous in the face of life it has yet to fully understand. Manyscience fiction stories ranging fromEnder’s GametoStar Warsplay with this trope. However, Lem is one of the first authors to reference microscopic machines that self-modify and reproduce long before the term nanotechnology was codified into a household sci-fi trope.
The Topical Appeal of Necroevolution
Necroevolution is a valuable and surprisingly versatile concept that can be applied to today’s dilemmas. It could be considered an anti-colonial thought-experiment, asking gamers to consider ‘how much does something have to look like us to be treated with respect?’ If Starward’s adaptation shines through Lem’s original intent, questions like these will lie at the heart ofexperiencingThe Invincible.
The concept of Necroevolution can also be applied to more abstract and technological situations. For example, the term can just as easily be applied to AI as it can machinery. If the criteria for necroevolution is the ability to evolve without being bio-organically alive,true-to-sci-fi AIcertainly qualify. Necroevolution factors into questions about humanity’s responsibility relative to their technology, like ‘If humans invent something that can necroevolve, are we responsible for its well-being?’ and ‘at what point, should we prioritize our safety rather than allowing something to continue to necroevolve?’ which are very real concerns. General fears around AI have lasted a long time, and one way or another, it is a technology that is rapidly evolving (to some degree) today.
These are heady topics that could make for an extremely promising gameplay experience. It is encouraging to know that Starward is so thoroughly committed to Lem’s vision, and familiar withother games that are doing narrative-driven exploration correctly. Apart from Lem, Starward has citedRoad 96,Firewatch, andAlien: Isolationas important influences on the project.
The Invincible
WHERE TO PLAY
You are a highly qualified, sharp-witted astrobiologist named Yasna. Being entangled in a space race, you and your crew end up on the unexplored planet Regis III. The scientific journey quickly turns into a search mission for lost crewmates. Follow its trail, but be fully aware that every decision you make can bring you closer to danger.On her journey, Yasna will face decisions that will shape the outcome of the story. Help her make difficult choices and witness one of 11 possible endings to the deeply philosophical story.Discover fragments of what’s lost and report to your Astrogator. Let his voice aid you during hard times when humanity’s greatest threat emerges. The latter will force you to rethink mankind’s ambitions and biases. Go on - make decisions, follow the mystery… but remember not to underestimate the brutal simplicity and brilliance of evolution.
