Millenia ago, the ancient inhabitants of our tiny planet reached beyond Sol and to the stars only to lose this gift to an unforeseen cataclysm. An unlikely discovery in the 21st century re-introduced humankind to this lost technology, enabling the transmission of human consciousness to both spacecraft and synthetic humanoids. As a result, unbounded colonial expansion followed.

Project Genesis is set within a persistent universe that’s part of 8 Circuit Studios’ growing ecosystem based on the concept of the Metaverse — a series of interconnected virtual worlds and experiences without boundaries.

Project Genesis will mix FPS and starship combat, as players prowl the space lanes in massive star cruisers, duking it out with one another, then launching boarding parties to capture the enemy ships. During boarding actions, the game will switch to FPS mode, for an in-your-face combat experience. 

In Project Genesis, players inhabit an A.I. that learns that it must choose between self-sacrifice to save the last vestiges of the human race, or opt for self-determination to embark on its own destiny. This AI’s quest for preservation sets players out into the stars to pilot space cruisers and engage in furious combat that allows them to destroy their enemies using advanced technologies, fortify their ships from damage, and board enemy ships.

Originally planned to launch today (April 24, 2020), Project Genesis will postpone their Steam Early Access date to May 22, 2020, to accommodate additional features and fix critical issues.

“We were very excited to release Project Genesis on Steam for Early Access this weekend,” said James Mayo, Navigator and President of 8 Circuit Studios. “Unfortunately, we found several significant issues that we just couldn’t release with given our targeted quality bar, even though the game is still in a very early pre-alpha state. However, this delay will allow us to include some additional features that the community has been asking for, like improved weapons systems and a new map configuration.” The issues discovered were related to the game’s experience point and leveling system. This system allows players to level up and gain new ships and characters, as well as improve and advance their battle craft and avatars.

In addition to making the gameplay experience better with bug fixes and new features, Mayo also said that, as of today, the team is providing the original sound track (OST) to players for free. The Project Genesis OST can be found on Steam to download, and it can also be streamed on other popular platforms like iTunes, SoundCloud, and Spotify. The futuristic original score was created and performed by experienced music composer Casey O’Neill.

Once the boarding party lands on the enemy ship, players will enter a first-person perspective as they infiltrate and eradicate enemy forces from the inside out. Destroying control points and clearing the ship gives one control over their enemy’s ship. Capturing ships and completing missions generate payouts to the victor, which take the form of XP, weapons, ammo, and in-game credits.

Things happen quickly in Project Genesis. You might be launching a hail of missiles into a doomed ship before breaching and boarding a capital ship you’re intent on capture. One minute you're setting an attack ship on fire off the shoulder of Enceladus II, the next you're rattling through the void in a breech pod and tearing through an enemy bulkhead into a corridor of who knows what... Project Genesis aims to hit some of the most dramatic and iconic moments of space opera action in a visceral and evocative way!

Space flight is played in third-person; steer the ship and freely aim the camera and weapons at targets. The flight model is physical and dramatic. Weapons are easy to use, targeting and HUD are clearly spelled out.

The First Person Shooter experience, is intuitive and follows the standard control scheme common in most FPS combat games. After acquiring a target breach point, slip into an avatar, launch your breech pod, and rip aboard the target vessel to bathe in first-person glory. Avatar combat is close quarters, fluid, and familiar.

The emphasis in Project Genesis is seamlessly merging these two modes without having to adjust to new control configurations and viewing perspectives.

Across 3rd person space combat, and FPS modes, the controls use a common paradigm:

• HP—Hull or Health, the primary damage resource
• Energy (E)—the consumable resource for shields, weapons, and abilities
• Two main weapons that taste great together
• One passive and two active abilities

Ship and avatar designs set up familiar relationships—tank, support, dps, etc.—but synergies and solo viability are always in mind. Boost and sprint, shields, recharge and cell capacities, weapon loadouts, countermeasures, abilities, utilities/throwables create a lot of levers. The rest is kicking ass with weaponized tools in space.

The current approach is best-of three-round matches, where later rounds depend on earlier outcomes. To win a round, complete your team objective before the clock runs out. Easy. On the way, take opportunities to gain advantage for your team, now or in the next round. If neither team gets the upper hand in the first two rounds, a final round is played, wrapping up the match in dramatic fashion.

Our community has been crucial to every step as we develop our core play, and continues to be our focus as mode, mission and map designs progress. There's so much more fun to be had and we hope you’ll join in the process of getting there with us.

A season in Project Genesis is structured around a bundle of story, stuff and features, with a full competitive Circuit. Each season offers limited content to every player, and Battle Passes grant access to season-limited cosmetics and collectibles. In Season One, meet the universe where you'll battle as mercenaries and radicals and suck-up loyalists. Learn the ropes with us all, and learn what matters.

Everything begins with the historical flashback, a short and sweet introduction to flying and fighting in the Project Genesis universe. The sessions conclude with earning your next ship and avatar.

Project Genesis is stan for competitive gaming, and a ranked Circuit should be the standard venue for serious play. Circuit play begins after the deployment and testing of a Season. Matches can be themed and flavored with the current season's narrative, while the mission particulars and round structure stays centered on well-tested, community approved formats.

For an opportunity join and contribute to the direction of Project Genesis, prospective Test Pilots can submit both an email address on the the official website and join the conversation in Discord.

Project Genesis is in development for PC and consoles.