Basic Facts
Developer: Die Gute Fabrik
Location: Copenhagen, Denmark + United Kingdom
Publisher: Die Gute Fabrik
Release date: 12th October 2023
Platforms: PC, Switch, PlayStation 5
Storefronts: Steam, itch.io, Nintendo eShop, PlayStation store.
Website: saltseachronicles.com
RRP: $24.99 US
Languages: English
Ratings: ESRB Everyone 10+ / PEGI 7
Socials: find us as @gutefabrik on Twitter, Youtube, Instagram, TikTok, Bluesky
Contact
For Press and Streamers, please contact pr@gutefabrik.com
For support, please use the form on the Contact page.
Credits
Die Gute fabrik is proud to have worked with many excellent people on Saltsea Chronicles. For full Credits please see in-game credits which include all internal and external collaborators, and roles and responsibilities. For abridged credits see the Credits page.
Company Info
Die Gute Fabrik (German for ‘The Good Factory) is an independent games studio based in Denmark and the UK. Founded in Copenhagen by Nils Deneken in 2008 to be a home for a wide constellation of collaborators, the studio is now led by Yorkshire-based Creative Director Hannah Nicklin, and is currently focussed on developing story-driven games.
Die Gute Fabrik aim to draw inspiration from a variety of disciplines and histories, and to continue to push the boundaries of our ideas about what games can be; from multiplayer games based on folk play, to story-driven games which draw inspiration from soap operas, ensemble cast storytelling, television and theatre.
We make work which is driven by excellence, intentionality and care.
It is important to us to think about how we make games as well as what we make. We are dedicated to further diversifying our teams and collaborators as well as investing in the development of diverse and marginalised talent through teaching, internships, and advocacy. We're also working to increase accessibility in our design, and strive to build a fair working environment, pushing for better working conditions for all people in games.
Description
Saltsea Chronicles is a new story-driven adventure game from the award-winning indie studio Die Gute Fabrik (Mutazione, Sportsfriends).
Captain Maja’s misfit crew must heist their impounded ship and mount a rescue. Guide the crew across islands of a post-flood world known as ‘Saltsea’. Explore strange and wonderful communities, uncover a deep conspiracy, choose where to go and which crew members to investigate with, and chart a journey through twists and turns, difficulties and delights.
A Post-Flood World
Visit different island communities as you investigate the mystery at the heart of the game. Each built on pre-flood ruins – in beautiful and beguiling ways.
As you explore you will uncover different pathways through a rich and varied series of islands. This flooded world, betrayed by the so-called Hoarders, barely remembers a time before the Flood. They rebuilt on the ruins of what came before, and new talents and technologies took the place of the old. Many surprises await!
Choose Your Priorities
In Saltsea Chronicles you guide the entire crew through the story. As well as investigating the mystery of your captain’s disappearance, you will uncover secrets, create and resolve tensions between the crew, and add to your number as you meet others who ask to join you.
Each chapter, you pick which island to visit and who to send on the expedition. Your choices will unlock different content, develop relationships, and give you a chance to resolve (and create) tensions within the crew.
With a lightning-fast navigation system, you’re free to hop around the islands as you explore. Choose between short and snappy observations, or dig deep into conversations with your crewmate or the locals, exploring the islands across different times of day.
Uncover a Conspiracy
Was your captain kidnapped? Or did she leave of her own free will? Keep track of the mystery in Murl’s Log and collect records of your encounters as stickers in the Almanac.
Different playthroughs will take you to different islands, introduce different characters and have dramatic consequences for your crew. You can replay from any chapter and branch your save file to meet new crew members, explore different communities and trace alternative pathways through the rich and gripping story.
Themes
From an award-winning and diverse writers’ room – with experience in Young Adult fiction, film, theatre, poetry and games – Saltsea Chronicles imagines a rich world where communities have rebuilt in the aftermath of disaster, creating a new society of connection, resilience and hope—but one still troubled by the universal questions of how to live together through conflict and change. This wide-reaching story game traces meaningful themes with humour, lightness of touch, and care.
Features
Distinctive print-inspired art style - A unique art style inspired by risograph print techniques brings a storybook aesthetic to the fantasy-tinged world of Saltsea Chronicles, brought to life with beautiful bespoke animation.
Try your hand at Spoils - Spoils is a trick-taking card game from the world of Saltsea Chronicles. Play cards with each local community, but watch out – some islands have their own house rules!
An original score by Eli Rainsberry - IGF-nominated composer and sound artist Eli Rainsberry (No Longer Home, A Monster's Expedition) presents a musically hybrid score and soundscape guided by the spaces and characters of Saltsea Chronicles.
Navigate the drama as well as the seas - Tensions between crew members are represented by Issues, small ‘relationships quests’ you can track, resolve, or, sometimes, just have to leave unsolved.
Logos
This is the white logo in png format
Key Art
Image is taller than pictured, download for the full dimensions
Images
Videos
Gifs
Soundtrack
IGF-nominated composer and sound artist Eli Rainsberry (No Longer Home, A Monster's Expedition) presents a musically hybrid score and soundscape guided by the spaces and characters of Saltsea Chronicles.
You can buy the Original Soundtrack to Saltsea Chronicles on Bandcamp now.
Saltsea Chronicles’ score is an atmospheric blend of traditional instruments and synthetic arrangements that help tell the story of a crew voyaging to find their missing captain.
The music, like the game and its storytelling, takes inspiration from TV compositional tradition: leaning into genre-based moments such as homecomings, spooky locations, romantic moments; as well as using recurring cues to help set location, tone and reinforce episodic structures.
Each chapter in the game wraps up with a TV-inspired animated sequence accompanied by a brand new original theme composed and arranged by Eli Rainsberry. They sought inspiration from a mix of animated TV show openings, and jazz artists such as DOMi & JD Beck, Chick Corea and Yoko Kanno. The Saltsea Chronicles title theme also features performances from musicians M Gewehr (drum arrangement, bass), TV-MA (flute), and Tyler Mire (trumpet).
Below is a preview of the Original Soundtrack by Eli: