FACEMINER: Manage a 90s Data Harvesting Empire with Ethical Dilemmas

Gaming Staff • February 17, 2025

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Wristwork, an artist-led independent game studio, has announced the upcoming release of their first commercial game, FACEMINER. This narrative-driven management simulation game is set in the late 90s and focuses on data harvesting and artificial intelligence. Players are tasked with managing the infrastructure of a growing biometric processing empire while dealing with ethical dilemmas.

The game features deep incremental data center management, where players must balance the demands of cutting-edge technology with the environmental impacts of their growing empire. The campaign mode lasts for 2-3 hours and offers a compelling story, with additional modes like Endless Mode and Infinite Money Glitch Mode for unrestricted experimentation.

FACEMINER features an original soundtrack by Madwreck, with over 200 in-game messages to uncover, and player-driven choices that shape the empire's rise and destiny. The game boasts a rich 90s interface, with a meticulously crafted retro operating system, a Visualiser 3D view, and a global surveillance map.

The game is set against the backdrop of 90s techno-optimism and encourages players to reflect on the consequences of their actions while scaling their surveillance empire. Wristwork, founded in 2021, is committed to crafting experimental, short-form interactive media and games. FACEMINER will be available on Steam starting February 27th.

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