Former F.E.A.R. devs unveil Betrayer

Betrayer, a first-person PC action game set in 17th century colonial Virginia, has been announced by Blackpowder Games.

Revealed on PC Gamer, the new studio is composed of many leading ex-Monolith designers, who have previously worked on Shogo: Mobile Armour Division, No One Lives Forever, and F.E.A.R.

The monochromatic adventure was inspired by the mystery of the disappearing Roanoke colony, according to creative lead Craig Hubbard. “The social situation of that time was really interesting,” says Hubbard, formerly the lead designer on Shogo: Mobile Armor Division, F.E.A.R., and the NOLF series. “I don’t know if you’ve read about what it was like to be in the Pilgrim colonies, like if you broke the law, but they’d like… pile stones on you until you died. It was just brutal and horrific and that’s great subject matter for an atmospheric and eerie game.”

The game takes place in 1604 as the protagonist arrives in Virginia expecting to find a colony, and instead encountering ghosts and monsters.

Hubbard describes the game as "austere," saying that it promotes a feeling of exploration by ridding the game of guiding elements such as HUD popups and directional arrows.

"Clue by clue, you must piece together the story of what befell this doomed settlement and find a way to set things right," explains the game's official website. "You will be hunted by corrupted Conquistadors and ravening shadows as you explore an expansive wilderness in order to trace the brief, tragic history of the colony and search for survivors."

Betrayer will be released on August 14 via Steam Early Access for $15.