Spotlight by Quantic Dream and the Oslo-based studio Red Thread Games have announced that pre-orders for Dustborn are now open. This announcement was accompanied by a new cinematic trailer at the Future Games Show – Summer Edition, one of many events hosted this month in lieu of E3. The game is set to release on PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X on 20 August 2024.
Dustborn invites players to embark on a light-hearted road trip across an alternate American Republic, tasked with delivering a mysterious package from one coast to another. This single-player, interactive story and action-adventure game is set in a comic-book-inspired universe where words play a crucial role in shaping the narrative. Throughout their journey, players will build relationships, recruit crew members, fight enemies, and perform as an undercover punk-rock band.
To mark the start of pre-orders, two new cinematics were released during the ActuGaming French Direct 2024 and the Future Games Show – Summer Edition. The first cinematic (above) showcases new gameplay, introducing the crew at the beginning of their journey and their use of words to confront an unfriendly encounter. The second cinematic (below) introduces the game’s main antagonists, the Puritans, a fundamentalist technocratic corporate conglomerate from whom the crew has stolen the package.
Ragnar Tørnquist, Creative Director at Red Thread Games, expressed excitement about their upcoming game, sharing:
We are excited to offer a deeper look at how the power of words shapes Dustborn’s gameplay. As we launch pre-orders, we wanted to give players more insight into the crew’s undercover punk-rock road trip and the adversaries they face along the way. We cannot wait to see players discover the game’s comic book-inspired experience, build relationships with the crew, and use their abilities to defeat Justice and the Puritans!
In addition to the digital release channels, a physical edition of Dustborn will also be available at launch. This special edition, pictured to the left, includes:
- 2 postcards from iconic locations visited by the crew;
- A map of the American Republic, listing all the pitstops the crew has to make before arriving at their final destination;
- A 32-page prequel comic book about the crew’s life before accepting this risky mission;
- Stickers of iconic elements from the game.
Dustborn will also be featured in the upcoming Steam Next Fest, which will run from 10 to 17 June 2024. During this week, players will have access to an exclusive 30-minute free demo available on Steam. This demo will allow players to explore different situations and discover the power of words, playing as Pax, the main character. As an Anormal, Pax can control words to craft new powers, defend herself, navigate tricky situations, neutralize threats, and build relationships with her crew or new encounters. Each character brings their own powers, perspectives, motives, and insecurities, promising an emotional, rocky, and rewarding journey.
