Signet City, a new role-playing game, has been announced by Gareth Damian Martin, the creator of Citizen Sleeper. This game is characterized as a "fungalpunk" RPG and features a unique art style influenced by screentoned manga and black and white photography. The game setting draws inspiration from the industrial cities of northern England during the 1980s, reflecting a turbulent historical backdrop.
The game's trailer showcases stark monochrome visuals and introduces a world where players embody a parasite navigating a city filled with strange technologies and radical ideas. Players will influence the inhabitants' stories and explore the city’s intricately designed environments. The soundtrack will be produced by Eli Rainsberry, marking a collaboration with new team members, including Tom Kitchen, who is contributing to environmental art.
This project represents a shift for Martin, moving away from distant future settings to explore an alternate reality. It connects to themes explored in previous works, including influences from Anna Tsing's book, which critiques capitalism and ecological issues through the lens of fungi. The game aims to delve into the emotional lives of its characters, offering a distinct narrative experience.