Introversion's Scanner Sombre surfacing on Wednesday
No, no no no
First-person spelunker Scanner Sombre [official site] will launch this very Wednesday, April 26th, developers Introversion Software announced today. They're sending us to explore a deep and dark cave network with the aid of a LIDAR scanner that visualises the world with squillions of coloured dots. It's a curious game to see from Introversion, who are known far more for exploring systems than places in games like Prison Architect, Uplink, and Defcon. I like the concept and look but I have premonitions of lurking horrors and do not want to know.
Here's what Introversion say about Scanner:
"Using a LIDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) scanner to aid navigation, players must make their way through a complex network of underground caves in complete darkness in an attempt to make it back to the surface. Your LIDAR scanner produces millions of individual lightpoints, painting a static, neon 3D image of the environments as you trek through the darkness. But not all is as it seems, and you might not be alone."
That bit. Right at the end there. Get out. Right out, Introversion. I'll not be fooled by your colourful dots and promises of subterranean swimming spots. Once I've happily settled into exploring, I'll surely scan a figure or creature who then vanishes. No thank you. Out.
Scanner Sombre will cost $11.99 but launch with a 20% discount. It's coming to Windows and Mac via to Steam, GOG, and the Humble Store at 3pm on Wednesday.
You can see a bit of an early prototype in this video from a year ago (skip to the 26-minute mark):
YOU SEE THAT IN THE VIDEO THUMBNAIL? 'Flip' right off.