{"id":36713,"date":"2026-06-24T13:23:43","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:23:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/?p=36713"},"modified":"2026-06-24T13:23:43","modified_gmt":"2026-06-24T13:23:43","slug":"citizen-sleeper-creator-discusses-the-inspiration-behind-their-new-rpg","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/?p=36713","title":{"rendered":"Citizen Sleeper Creator Discusses the Inspiration Behind Their New RPG"},"content":{"rendered":"
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### Exploring the Unique World of Signet City: A First-Person Fungalpunk RPG<\/p>\n

The gaming landscape is continuously evolving, and the recent reveal of *Signet City* serves as a testament to this trend. Developed by Gareth Damian Martin, the creator behind the acclaimed titles *In Other Waters* and *Citizen Sleeper*, *Signet City* sets itself apart as an unusual first-person RPG. The player assumes the role of a fungal brain parasite, engaging with multiple host characters in an algae-powered city. Martin emphasizes that the intent behind this game transcends traditional gameplay; it delves into themes of risk-taking and storytelling within the gaming medium.<\/p>\n

#### Evolution of Game Concepts<\/p>\n

Gareth Damian Martin’s previous works have showcased an innovation in narrative and gameplay. *In Other Waters* featured a unique perspective where players operated as an AI guiding a scientist in an alien environment, omitting traditional dialogue trees to enhance emotional engagement. Following that, *Citizen Sleeper* challenged the archetypal RPG hero by placing players in the shoes of an escaped android grappling with societal marginalization.<\/p>\n

After tackling various themes and establishing a distinctive narrative style, Martin identified the right time to develop *Signet City*. Conceptualized since 2017, the setting has matured alongside Martin’s skills as a developer. Post-completion of *Citizen Sleeper 2*, he felt compelled to create *Signet City*, confident that his growth as a designer would enable him to realize the project effectively.<\/p>\n

#### A New Narrative Structure<\/p>\n

*Signet City* borrows structural mechanics from tabletop RPGs like *Blades in the Dark*, where players manage their actions through a pool of dice rolls, fostering a sense of scarcity and resource management. However, Martin aims to diverge from conventional narratives, emphasizing that events in the game will be broader than traditional combat scenarios. He strives to explore the emotional and psychological experiences of the characters, leveraging the unique position of a parasitic protagonist.<\/p>\n

As players navigate the intricacies of the city and its inhabitants, they will encounter a rich tapestry of personal stories, societal struggles, and cultural dynamics, all while attempting to fulfill their objectives from within their hosts. This approach not only heightens the narrative complexity but also allows players to influence and reshape the environment around them.<\/p>\n

#### The World of Signet City<\/p>\n

Set against the backdrop of an industrial city reminiscent of 1980s northern Britain, *Signet City* portrays a landscape shaped by the cultivation of fungal resources, which have inadvertently influenced the socio-political fabric of the community. This unique setting seeks to break away from the often-repetitive fantasy worlds prevalent in gaming and provides players with a deeper connection to the environment.<\/p>\n

Martin’s commitment to risk-taking in gaming design is evident as he challenges developers and audiences alike to embrace innovative concepts. He advocates for a shift in perspective, inviting players to engage with the world in a manner that is more reflective and thought-provoking.<\/p>\n

#### A Fresh Perspective<\/p>\n

In summary, *Signet City* promises to provide gamers with a refreshing narrative experience underscored by innovative mechanics and an unusual protagonist. As Martin endeavors to create a game that can redefine expectations for the genre, he positions *Signet City* as a challenging exploration of storytelling, identity, and emotional engagement in a world that is anything but conventional.<\/p>\n

Those interested in exploring this unique gaming experience can look forward to delving into the lives of the city\u2019s inhabitants and navigating the delicate balance between influence and autonomy as they embody a parasitic fungus. Whether inspired by surreal narratives or seeking an innovative gameplay experience, *Signet City* aims to captivate and challenge players in unprecedented ways.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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It’s clear from Signet City’s reveal trailer<\/a> that it’s going to be an unusual game. After all, you’ll be playing a fungal brain parasite that influences multiple hosts across an algae-powered city<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But, when creator Gareth Damian Martin and I spoke, they didn’t just want to talk about how their game worked \u2013 if anything, they seemed happy to leave that discussion until players could play it to find out for themselves. Instead, they wanted to say why they were making this<\/em> game, and why they were doing it now.<\/p>\n

After all, in an industry where game developers are closing up shop daily, making a first-person fungalpunk RPG isn’t the safe bet.<\/p>\n

Read more<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":36714,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"Default","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-36713","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36713","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=36713"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/36713\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/36714"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=36713"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=36713"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/gaitgames.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=36713"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}