ADR1FT Introduction:

Adrift, a first-person adventure video game created by Three One Zero and published by 505 Games, made its debut on March 28, 2016, for Microsoft Windows, followed by a release on July 15, 2016, for PlayStation 4. Initially, there were plans for an Xbox One version, but it was ultimately canceled. The game's narrative revolves around an astronaut who finds themselves adrift amidst the debris of a wrecked space station, with no recollection of the catastrophe. Throughout the gameplay, players uncover clues that gradually unveil the events leading up to the disaster and strive to repair the escape vehicle for a safe return to Earth.

Development for Adrift commenced in 2013, following the departure of its creator, Adam Orth, from Microsoft. The development team's primary vision for the game was to create a "first-person experience" intentionally devoid of violence. Orth drew parallels between the game and the upheaval in his own life, which stemmed from his controversial remarks regarding Xbox One's DRM proposal.

Gameplay:

In Adrift, players assume the role of Commander Alex Oshima, navigating freely in a zero-gravity environment. They must manage their oxygen levels to avoid suffocation, with oxygen tanks serving as life-saving resources when oxygen is running low. The game features five distinct areas with various puzzles to solve. Players can also discover audio logs that provide additional insight into the incident's events, all set in the year 2037. Another aspect of the game involves players deciding whether to return artifacts from the deceased crew to Earth. Adrift's main objectives are survival and a safe journey back home.

The inspiration for Adrift directly stemmed from the events of 2013 when Adam Orth's controversial remarks led to his resignation from Microsoft. He relocated from Seattle to Southern California, drawing parallels between his own experiences and the player character's plight in the game—a struggle to piece together their world after a disaster. The central themes of the game revolve around action, consequence, and redemption, without leaning on science fiction or supernatural elements, aiming to resonate with players through atypical video game storytelling.

Following his departure from Microsoft, Orth collaborated with his former colleague Omar Aziz to establish the development studio Three One Zero. They built a prototype for Adrift and enlisted other former colleagues to join the project. The development team found the game's unique concept appealing, setting it apart from the typical first-person shooter games that had grown tiresome for them. The development process lasted approximately 13 months, with a core team of six developers, supplemented by contractors for specific tasks, such as animation.

The most significant change during development was the game's visual style, resembling the minimalist presentation of the 1968 film "2001: A Space Odyssey." Despite comparisons to the 2013 film "Gravity," Orth maintained that Adrift and the movie were distinct experiences. The team aimed to capture the immersion of the Half-Life series and storytelling akin to "Journey" (2012). Orth acknowledged being inspired by the game "Proteus" (2013) during Adrift's development. The game's logo was crafted by graphic designer Cory Schmitz, and the team hired various artists and sound professionals to contribute to the project.

Adrift was simultaneously developed for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, with its Windows release on March 28, 2016. Originally planned for September 2015, the release was delayed to coincide with the launch of the Oculus Rift, as the game would include Oculus Rift support, a feature conceived since its inception. The initial prototype was created by three individuals in ten weeks using the Unity game engine, with subsequent functionality rebuilt for Unreal Engine 4.

Final Words:

The game's official announcement took place on June 4, 2014, with a full gameplay reveal at The Game Awards on December 5, 2014. A leaked trailer emerged just before E3 2015 in June 2015. On June 12, 2015, Three One Zero announced a partnership with Top Cow Productions and Image Comics to produce a comic book series based on Adrift, with the first issue released on the same day. The series is authored by Matt Hawkins and features artwork by Luca Casalanguida.