We Are the Caretakers is an indie game where you save a rhino-like species from poachers
We Are the Caretakers, the sci-fi turn-based tactical RPG set in an afro-futurist world from developer Heart Shaped Games, brings an environmental mission to PC, Xbox Series X/S, and Xbox One.
Revealed at the Xbox Indie Twitch showcase, We Are the Caretakers asks players to protect the Raun, a rhino-like species targeted by poachers, both human and alien alike.
In the game, you will rally units of Caretakers onto real-time strategy maps with RPG turn-based combat in either the campaign or through procedurally generated Survival mode. You can also assemble the Cartkeers into squads based on the 20-plus job classes and more than 70 special abilities.
After defeating foes in battle, the Conductor, leader of the Caretakers and protector of the land of Shadra, must decide the fate of poachers. You can choose to send them, to judges, or try rehabilitation and recruitment. Decisions can benefit or harm the Conductor’s reputation among the people and their willingness to help.
Heart Shaped Games will pledge 10% of revenues from every copy of the game to the Wildlife Conservation Network, starting with the Steam Early Access release.
The organization protects wildlife all around the world, with Heart Shaped Games’ contribution going toward the Rhino Recovery Fund, which focuses on improving the health of rhino populations while also benefiting local people.
The game's soundtrack is composed of epic orchestras, African instrument samples, and modern hip-hop beats. Art director Anthony Jones (former cinematics artist at Activision Blizzard) combined synthetic and organic elements for his interpretation of afrofuturism and the game’s cast of mostly Black characters.
BAFTA and IGF-nominated narrative director Xalavier Nelson Jr. (Hypnospace Outlaw, SkateBIRD) helped create a story that mixes sci-fi with real-world conservation issues.
“We don’t just want to raise awareness of important issues with our game, we want to have a quantifiable impact,” said Scott Brodie, founder, Heart Shaped Games. “The ID@Xbox team have been tremendous partners in getting the word out there, and both entertaining and enlightening Xbox players later this year.”
We Are The Caretakers version 1.0 releases on Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and Windows PC later in 2021. The game enters Steam Early Access for PC on Earth Day, Thursday, April 22 for $19.99 with a 20% launch discount.