A Unique Gaming Experience: Keeper
Keeper may well be the most unusual game that Microsoft has ever released. The game is set in a fantastical version of New England, portrayed in the distant future where the lines between organic and inorganic matter blur in bizarre, alchemical interactions. The cast of characters includes an eccentric bird named Twig, fashioned with a driftwood beak. Most peculiarly, the player controls a lighthouse that has mysteriously gained the ability to move, equipped with tiny, fragile legs that support its trembling structure.
In a genre typically dominated by conventional action-hero figures, both male and female, the lighthouse emerges as an extraordinary protagonist. Lee Petty, the creative lead, remains vague about the exact origins of this animated lighthouse. Instead, he describes its creation as something that spontaneously emerged from his subconscious. Despite its apparent oddity, Petty senses an underlying logic. He explains, “You have a light, and light is deeply connected to life,” suggesting that the game’s actions, puzzles, and mechanics naturally evolve from this concept.
Interacting with a Mystical World
The primary interaction within Keeper’s vibrant island environment comes from the lighthouse’s beam. In its “unfocused” setting, the beam wanders across a mythical landscape, influencing plants and small creatures to evolve and transform. Conversely, in “focused” mode, the beam intensifies to manipulate larger objects and solve intricate puzzles by attracting or repelling specific materials.
The visual realm of Keeper is draped in ethereal shades of purple and lush greens, featuring glowing rock formations and massive floral tendrils, alongside a magnificent sky-floating whale with unexpected vegetation on its back. This visual feast draws inspiration from 1980s fantasy films like The Dark Crystal and The NeverEnding Story. Petty acknowledges these influences as “weird” and “imperfect,” yet praises them for their heartfelt commitment to crafting unseen worlds.
Inspiration also struck Petty from his real-world experiences during the Covid lockdowns. Isolated walks in the scenic foothills near his San Francisco residence led him to ponder a world without humans, surrounded by flourishing nature. His thoughts were further shaped by his exploration into mycelium networks and the complex interplay within ecosystems, which he consumed through books and films.
This mixture of personal reflection, environmental observation, and diverse references merged into what Petty describes as a “fever dream,” envisioning a bizarre, post-human island where life evolves in unexpected ways.
The Development of Keeper
The idea for Keeper came to fruition shortly after Petty’s employer, the award-winning studio Double Fine—known for its quirky titles like Psychonauts 2 and Stacking—was acquired by Microsoft. The new management supported Petty’s experimental vision, providing him with the necessary time and resources to flesh out his ideas before finalizing the game’s design. The development process of Keeper reflects a relaxed and dreamlike approach, allowing players to leisurely explore its surreal and curiously captivating environment.
Petty emphasizes the game’s unhurried nature, pointing out, “You’re not rushed along, you’re not given mission objectives. There are no pop-ups on the screen with meta-rewards,” allowing players to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
Controversy Surrounding Microsoft’s Involvement
However, the whimsical charm of Keeper contrasts sharply with a more somber reality. The game’s development coincides with criticisms of Microsoft, whose cloud technology, Azure, has been implicated in supporting military actions in Gaza and the West Bank. The Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) movement has called for a boycott of Microsoft and Xbox products, and unionized workers from Arkane, another Microsoft-owned studio, have openly criticized the company’s involvement. Microsoft has responded by investigating these allegations, which they claim violate their service terms.
Petty distances himself from these corporate decisions, highlighting the drawbacks of being part of a larger conglomerate with interests beyond gaming. He asserts, “I’m not in control. Double Fine is not necessarily endorsing our parent company,” emphasizing their focus on crafting exceptional gaming experiences.
Keeper is set to launch on PC and Xbox in October.
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Fatima Clarke is a seasoned health reporter who bridges medical science with human stories. She writes with compassion, precision, and a drive to inform.
