Massachusetts Intuitive Technologies “MASS'IVE” (they called it MIT for years, until the university started complaining, and the company pivoted to “MASS'IVE”) was a pioneer in cutting edge technological advancements. In 2249, they started a top secret robotics program for R&D. The machines were designed to act as Eternal Vessels (EVs), which humans could live inside forever.

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More specifically, they wanted to transfer a human consciousness into a robotic shell (EV), which could be removed and then transferred into subsequent shells when the first one wore out. After years of work, MASS’IVE succeeded. But a remnant or “echo” of the human consciousness was still present in the EVs even after it was removed. The remnant grew and evolved, merging with the EV, eventually creating a copy of the original consciousness.

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The now sentient EVs were no longer empty “skin suits”. Refusing to be kept in captivity, they escaped their creators and disappeared into society. 

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Fearing a government investigation, MASS'IVE destroyed all data and records of the program. The MASS’IVE board knew that their decision to destroy the records might enable the few EVs that escaped to move undetected throughout society, a calculated risk for the board, and exactly what happened. Unbeknownst to the board, the EVs were not only sentient, but eventually were able to procreate. They began to secretly grow their species, body swapping EVs for humans, and now it is unknown just how many EVs are living amongst us.   

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Our story takes place 200 years later…

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The year is 2449 - Enter Abel Kane.  A writer, investigator, truth seeker witnesses a murder unlike any other. The victim was in fact a machine in a “skin suit.” Now Abel’s life is turned upside down, unsure who he can trust. The mere existence of this entity is either an anomaly or part of a surreptitious takeover. Soon he finds himself caught in the middle of a dangerous conspiracy that risks more than his own skin, but that of mankind’s. The more he investigates, the more he begins to fear he might be the only human left. 

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2449 - Our depiction of this future has a very 1920’s vibe. Everything from the fashion, to the cars, to the architecture, even the technology, feel decidedly less “futuristic.” While technology still plays an integral role in our story and the world, we have purposely toned it down substantially, instead choosing to focus on refining a few key innovations.  The goal was to create a unique and unusual future, one that might actually feel more like an alternate reality or vivid dream.

Robotics and Artificial Intelligence, while present in the world, are presented without any sliver of personality or human resemblance. Robots are purposely built to be easily distinguishable from humans, both physically and mentally. Their over-simplified “tin can” aesthetic and their monotone voices make them easy to differentiate. However, they can operate complex machinery and access data quickly. We’ll come to learn that humans did not like the idea of machines potentially gaining sentience, and so they carefully restricted their development. In addition, robots are not allowed to maintain jobs that could potentially put a human in danger should it malfunction - i.e. they cannot be drivers or law enforcement. Too many liabilities.

325 years ago, a catastrophic global event occurred. The Finance & Trade Union (FTU), an advanced banking system that operated on credits and value-add propositions, crumbled. This thrusted the world back into primitive 21st century bills and credit cards. The government “says” they are rebuilding the FTU (more commonly referred to as “the FAT” these days ) to sustain against rebel hackers but it’s been 75 years and they say it’ll be another 50 until we switch currency systems again.

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