dev_hell has just been unveiled by up-and-coming developer Unhinged Studios, and I have to say that I am looking forward to discovering more about this truly unique roguish experience.
There is an awful lot to unpack in just a few words, with dev_hell described thus:
It’s “a first-person narrative deckbuilding roguelike where players experience the journey into the corporate void,” the press release proudly states, inviting you to join the ranks of a tech start-up with ambitions to change the world. Probably not for the better, though.
As someone who recently stood on the edge and stared into the corporate void and then decided to go a different way, this premise resonated rather strongly with me.
I may be off the mark here, but I’m getting The Stanley Parable vibes from dev_hell, although this looks like it’s going to be a more connected and less obtuse narrative experience.
The tone of the press release was certainly infectious, and after trying to first dissect and interpret, I’ve instead decided to cut and paste the best bits from this inspirational recruitment pitch from management. (Credit where credit’s due, it’s the best presser I’ve read in years.)
Job Description
CodeNOW is currently hiring a software developer ready to change the world! This is an exclusive opportunity meant only for big thinkers who truly want to make a positive impact and are ready to hit the ground running. The ideal candidate for this position must be motivated, exude positivity, and exhibit attention to detail while maintaining discretion.
Responsibilities:
- Manage a growing deck of cards to complete features before the end of each sprint
- Battle your way through feature development, debugging, and code reviews to meet expectations
- Install card mods to make your deck of coding solutions more powerful
- Grow and maintain your influence by building positive relationships with your coworkers
- (Recruiter’s note: no influence = no job)
What We Offer:
- Opportunities to improve your skills and take your career to the next level
- “Kudos” loyalty rewards to spend at the company store
- Freedom to follow your own path
- (Recruiter’s note: Freedom may is subject to company review)
Competitive payUnlimited coffee
Based on the contents of the above and other tidbits gleaned from the presser, this sounds like an ironic experience that quickly descends into some sort of strange insidious narrative journey filled with moral ambiguity.
It also reads like an invitation to explore a corporate world of bullshit managerial meetings and performance indicators – I’m assuming this is all going to be more fun in-game than it is IRL.
Dare I hope that dev_hell scratches a similar itch to The Stanley Parable or even Papers, Please when it lands on PC in 2024? This one has definitely gone on the ol’ Steam wishlist while I await more news and even a hands-on demo.
Check out the trailer above and see if you’re enthused about joining the ranks of CodeNOW, too. Alternatively, hit the link below for details of another recently unveiled game that also dabbles in one or two dodgy business practices: Simple CEO.
