Ontos Devs On The Centered Around A Server Of Ratspsychological Gameplay

Frictional Games has provided a detailed look at the gameplay mechanics and philosophical foundations of its upcoming title, Ontos. Described as a spiritual successor to the studio's acclaimed sci-fi horror game Soma, Ontos is designed to challenge players with deep existential questions rather than fast-paced action. Creative Director Thomas Grip explained that because the game relies on a slower, more deliberate pace of research and decision-making, demonstrating its core appeal in brief promotional clips has historically been a challenge. The release of a ten-minute gameplay video marks the first major opportunity for the developers to convey the intended atmosphere and mechanical depth of the project, which has been in development for over a decade.

According to Grip, the heart of Ontos lies in encountering intricate experimental setups, each presenting unique philosophical dilemmas and scientific questions. Rather than focusing on a tight, moment-to-moment gameplay loop, players are encouraged to explore their surroundings to gather crucial information. This preparatory phase is vital, as the environments are filled with lore and data that help players understand the characters and the scientific issues at play. The game even introduces smaller, preliminary experiments—such as a strapped-in rat shown in the gameplay demonstration—allowing players to test theories, make mistakes, and grasp the mechanics before confronting the primary, high-stakes experiments.

The narrative and mechanical design of Ontos heavily rewards players who take the time to understand the psychology of the characters they encounter. One early character introduced is Zike, a man heard over an intercom who appears obsessed with locating the human soul. Grip emphasized that uncovering these details is not merely for world-building; it is a critical gameplay mechanic. By understanding how a character functions and thinks, players can make more informed decisions. In some instances, players may find that the best course of action is to avoid specific questions entirely or even give answers that contradict their own personal feelings to achieve a desired outcome.

A central showcase of the recent gameplay reveal is an encounter with a character named Crombie, who claims to be trapped inside a computer server constructed from living rats. The developers chose this bizarre setup to push the boundaries of what players find believable. While the concept of a human consciousness simulated by a standard computer is a familiar trope in modern science fiction, Grip noted that a simulation powered by sixty rats strapped to a server rack is far more difficult to accept. The developers hope this unsettling imagery will serve as a catalyst for players to ponder deeper questions, such as whether the individual rats possess consciousness and if multiple conscious entities can inhabit the same physical medium.

Once players confront the rat server, they must engage in a delicate experiment involving the manipulation of probes attached to Crombie's head. The game offers a wide array of choices during these sequences, allowing players to either strictly follow the provided instructions or deviate based on clues they have gathered during their exploration. Frictional Games aims to generate tension during these segments by combining vague instructions with competing objectives, leaving players with the constant anxiety that a single misstep could ruin the entire procedure.

These experimental sequences are designed with high replayability in mind, featuring multiple potential outcomes and ambiguous choices. Players will rarely have a clear understanding of all their available options during a first playthrough. Instead, subsequent playthroughs will yield a deeper comprehension of the systems, revealing new approaches and solutions to the game's complex dilemmas. Ontos is currently scheduled for release on the PlayStation 5 in 2027, and interested players can now add the title to their platform wishlists.