Factsheet

Developer:
Heart Shaped Games
Based in Ann Arbor, Michigan

Release date:
Early January, 2022

Platforms:
Steam
Xbox

Website:
wearethecaretakers.com

Regular Price:

19.99

Description

We Are The Caretakers is a 3D grand strategy RPG set in a post-apocalyptic afrofuturist world. Recruit, train and manage a secret faction of high-tech protectors ("The Caretakers") to unite the world and defend the endangered creatures your planet relies on. Confront a mysterious alien ship as the massive energy barrier protecting your society falls. Grow a resistance of over 100 characters while managing your reputation, funds, animals, and alliances.

History

Game Overview

We Are The Caretakers is an exciting new type of strategy game, blending squad building, RTS-with-pause, and turn-based JRPG combat into one thrilling campaign. Drawing on the first-hand experiences of real world rangers, conservationists, and researchers, the game models the evolving human-animal concerns of today into an exciting and engaging sci-fi strategy game experience. The game introduces players to an original sci-fi universe with nuanced characters, dark narrative, deep mysteries, layered management challenges, and escalating conflicts that have no easy or absolute solutions. Developed by a critically-acclaimed, award-winning, and diverse team including IGF nominees, ex-Microsoft, and ex-Blizzard developers, We Are The Caretakers is the most ambitious Heart Shaped Games project to date.

Features

  • ORIGINAL AFROFUTURIST ART STYLE: Former Blizzard artist Anthony Jones brings breathtaking afrofuturist style and signature character designs to bring the sci-fi world of We Are The Caretakers to life.
  • REPUTATION SYSTEM: Every action committed in the world affects how others see the Caretakers. Do they fear you? Or will they support your quest to protect the endangered Raun, and decide the fate of the world?
  • HUMAN SQUADS: Assemble up to 9 squads from 100s of characters with diverse traits, weaknesses, abilities, and personalities. Train and upgrade your Caretakers across 30+ unique job classes.
  • COMPLEX CONFLICT: An innovative combination of autobattling combat and permanent consequences define a combat system about de-escalation more than aggression.
  • DARK NARRATIVE: In our morally-complex world, the individuals outside your squad matter as much as the rangers you deploy on each map. Follow a grim narrative from devestating losses through a hope of a better future.
  • CULTURAL DIPLOMACY: Work diplomatically with detained poachers and community leaders inside your sci-fi HQ Atrium. Balance their conflicting demands with your need to stop the alien threat.
  • TECHNOLOGY TREE RESEARCH: Guide the direction and specialties of your organization. From field-level technology upgrades, to large-scale speculative reseearch and development, your decisions have a global impact.
  • YOU GET A BABY RAUN: It will nuzzle against your bed long after it grows too large to reasonably do so. It is adorable.

Videos

We Are The Caretakers Xbox Release Date Trailer (2023) YouTube

We Are The Caretakers Early Access Launch Trailer (2021) YouTube

Screenshots

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Awards & Recognition

  • "EGX Leftfield Collection" EGX Leftfield Collection 2021
  • "Unity Awards Finalist 2021" Unity Awards Finalist 2021 Best Social Impact
  • "SAAM Arcade Selection" Washington DC, Smithsonian American Art Museum, August 3rd 2019
  • "Tokyo Game Show Selected Exhibit Selection 2021" Tokyo Game Show Selected Exhibit Selection 2021
  • "Indie MEGABOOTH Official Selection" Indie MEGABOOTH GDC Showcase 2020
  • "WordPlay 2020 Official Selection" WordPlay Festival
  • "The Escapist Indie Showcase Selection" The Escapist Indie Showcase 2020
  • "The MIX Game Dev Direct Selection" Game Dev Direct Showcase 2021

Selected Articles

  • "We Are The Caretakers stands out from the crowd with its afrofuturist stylings and environmentalist bent"
    - Dominic Tarason, Rock, Paper, Shotgun
  • "We Are the Caretakers interview: Juggling Afrofuturism, poaching, and strategy in one RPG"
    - Jason Wilson, GamesBeat
  • "One of my most anticipated indie titles of the coming year."
    - Jacob Wood, Indie Hangover
  • "We Are The Caretakers Puts Afrofuturism Front and Center"
    - JUNAE BENNE, Wired

About Heart Shaped Games

Boilerplate
Heart Shaped Games is a design-centric indie game studio founded in 2010 by 20-year game industry veteran Scott Brodie. We're a diverse remote team of developers from all over the world. Our mission is to have an impact by creating meaningful and memorable hit games that players love. Our award-winning games include We Are The Caretakers, Hero Generations, Brave Hand, and Highgrounds.

More information
More information on Heart Shaped Games, our logo & relevant media are available here.

We Are The Caretakers Credits

Scott Brodie
Creative Director, Design Director

Anthony Jones
Art Director

Xalavier Nelson Jr.
Narrative Director

Musician
Jon Parra

Sherveen Uduwana
Designer

Sara Eskandari
Artist And Designer

Stephen Whittle
Lead Programmer

Kate Brodie
Studio Manager

Heart Shaped Games Team
Full credits for our team of 12+ in game

presskit() by Rami Ismail (Vlambeer) - also thanks to these fine folks