The iconic Foundation science-fiction series by Isaac Asimov is getting a VR game adaptation. Journey to Foundation is currently in development at Archiact, as revealed during the recent PlayStation State of Play live Stream. Said studio is also the developer behind Doom 3 VR Edition and Evasion.
“Journey to Foundation is a major milestone for us. It’s the culmination of all our experience innovating VR gameplay elements, from locomotion to conversation to UI to combat,” says the head of Archiact studio Kurt Busch. “It’s built by a veteran team with a passion for VR-first game development. It’s an epic game inspired by an iconic IP.”
Journey to Foundation, the game is set to release this autumn for Pico, Meta Quest and the new PSVR2. Players will take on the role of Ward, a Commission of Public Safety agent investigating civil unrest on the rim of the Galactic Empire.
“The Empire has kept peace across the galaxy for over 12 thousand years, but cracks have started to emerge. Stagnation, apathy, and internal revolt all threaten to break it apart,” explains Archiact Executive Producer Ken Thain in a PlayStation blog post.
As Ward, players will work with a group of defectors travelling to Foundation and uncover their plan to save humanity. Players will have the option to use subterfuge, diplomacy, or their weapons throughout the game. Additionally, Archiact promises that player choices will have in-game consequences.
Journey to Foundation will also feature an arsenal of spy tools like a nanotech disguise for infiltrating enemy bases and a plasma torch that cuts through tough metals.
Books, TV series and game
Released 80 years ago, the Foundation series is a staple of the sci-fi genre. Recently, Apple TV created a series adaptation of the novel. Currently, the show called simply Foundation has one season out, with a second on the way.
It’s common for a book to gain a series or film adaptation, but few book-to-game adaptations exist, with arguably The Witcher being the most successful. The fact that Journey to Foundation is getting so much attention 80 years after its release is a testament to how fundamental the series is to the science fiction genre.
Jack Brassell is a freelance journalist and aspiring novelist. Jack is a self-proclaimed nerd with a lifelong passion for storytelling. As an author, Jack writes mostly horror and young adult fantasy. Also an avid gamer, she works as the lead news editor at Hardcore Droid. When she isn't writing or playing games, she can often be found binge-watching Parks & Rec or The Office, proudly considering herself to be a cross between Leslie Knope and Pam Beasley.
