Anuttacon, an indie game developer and publisher founded by HoYoverse CEO Cai Haoyu, has just unveiled its debut title, Whispers From The Star, a narrative-driven sci-fi interactive experience. The announcement, which was shared on Twitter (X) last week, also revealed that a closed beta test is on the horizon for this eagerly anticipated game.
Whispers From The Star Closed Beta Coming Soon
Set in a distant galaxy, Whispers From The Star introduces players to Stella, a university student studying astrophysics. After a dramatic crash landing on the alien planet Gaia, Stella finds herself isolated, relying solely on her communicator to reach out for help. Players step into the role of her guide, interacting with her through text, voice, and video messages to navigate her through this alien world.
The core gameplay of Whispers From The Star centers around engaging in conversations with Stella, utilizing video, voice, and text. According to the developers, as reported by Bleeding Cool News, the game aims to revolutionize interactive storytelling. It breaks away from conventional dialogue trees by employing AI-enhanced dialogue, which facilitates open-ended conversations that are fluid, personal, and deeply immersive.
While the prospect of personalized gameplay has sparked excitement among many, the game's AI-driven interactions have also raised concerns. Discussions on platforms like Reddit highlight worries about the emotional impact of forming relationships with AI characters and the potential displacement of human actors. This is a particularly sensitive topic amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike, which focuses on the role of AI in the entertainment industry.
Despite these concerns, Anuttacon is moving forward with a Closed Beta for Whispers From The Star, targeting select gamers in the United States. While an exact date and time for the beta test have not yet been set, interested players can sign up on the developer's website to reserve their spot. It's important to note that this test is exclusively available for users with an "iPhone 12 or above." Currently, Android devices and iPads are not supported.