The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Gets Its First Screenshots

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a "weird fiction" game which we had the chance to talk about in an interview with its developers not too long ago. Today, its creators at The Astronauts have revealed some further details about the game along with a host of screenshots.

They note that in The Vanishing of Ethan Carter, players take on the role of Paul Prospero, an occult detective who receives a disturbing letter from the eponymous Carter which hints at the danger the boy is in. When Paul arrives at Carter's home in Red Creek Valley, he realizes that the boy has gone missing in the wake of a brutal murder, and it's up to Paul to find him.

Using both regular and supernatural detective skills, Paul must find out what happened to the missing boy.

Here's what else they revealed:

How do you play this game?

Via a First-Person Perspective, you explore and interact with the environment in order to discover the truth. Paul has a supernatural gift that allows him to visualize the final moments of anyone who’s been murdered. The more clues you discover, the clearer and longer Paul’s vision. Exactly how much you are able to discern from a corpse is entirely up to you. You might discover the motivation of the murderer, or find a hint of where to go next – or both.

Why are you making this game?

We believe video games are a largely untapped medium for powerful storytelling possibilities. Every developer with a deep interest in the storytelling side of gaming uses different ways to let players live through a story: from interactive dramas like The Walking Dead to story-exploration games like Gone Home to online adventures like Journey. The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is our own attempt to tell a multi-layered story while keeping the player completely immersed and constantly engaged–with the unique sense of presence only video games can offer.

What kind of horror game is it?

The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a “weird fiction” horror, meaning our focus is on atmosphere, mood, and the essential humanity of our characters. With its mixture of a beautiful world with the haunting and macabre, this story is for adult players. That said, there is no combat in our game. If our game leaves any scars, you won’t be able to see them. Also, we want gamers to experience the story of Paul and Ethan at their own pace, and without the need for sedatives. It’s less about pure terror and more about clammy unease.

What platforms and when?

We’re currently developing the game for PC, but we’re hoping to eventually bring it to next-gen platforms. We’re in full production, but we don’t have a set release date. It’s a question of months, however, not years.