The first trailer for Firewatch was unveiled at PAX this past weekend. It is the debut game from Campo Santo, a studio consisting of many talented designers and artists who have worked on everything from Brutal Legend to BioShock 2. Leading the team are former Telltale Games staffers Jake Rodkin and Sean Vanaman, both who recently helped direct The Walking Dead, then there's Mark of the Ninja designer Nels Anderson and abstract artist Olly Moss, whose work was used for the Resistance 3 box art.
Firewatch seems to be another story-driven adventure in the vein of Telltale projects. Set in the Wyoming wilderness, you take control of a park ranger named Henry who spends most of his days in a lookout tower, keeping an eye out for possible fires. He comes down to explore the woods, embarking on a journey that relies on personal growth rather than shoot, shoot, bang, bang. At all times, you'll be able to whip out your walkie talkie and communicate with Delilah, your supervisor and confidant, with whom you form a deep connection over the course of the game.
Beyond that, the story is a mystery. Campo Santo is keeping a tid lid on any further revelations, but what the team has shown off so far has captured the media's attention. Depending on how you play, you might come to different conclusions or live through different experiences compared to other players. It'll be a lot more nuanced than your typical adventure.
Firewatch is currently scheduled for release on Windows, Mac, and Linux in 2015. Campo Santo would love to bring the game to consoles as well later down the line. You can keep up with development by following the studio's blog.
