One of the most prevalent storytelling features that appears in sci-fi settings is time travel, which often constitutes lengthy and deep explanations as to how it works. In the newly announced Time Distortionists, the paradoxes created by these explanations become the antagonistic force, with players in charge of strategically managing timelines to avoid all of them being torn apart. To coincide with the announcement, the game’s first trailer and Steam store page went up to reveal information about how the bases, agents, and timelines function.

The trailer begins with an ominous introduction of the looming threat, which seeks to threat 13 billion years of history. As the text introduces the mysterious foe, the camera pans over a long timeline with short descriptions on various points. As is to be expected when dealing with a strategy game, the means by which players are able to preserve timelines are heavy with choices, and blend into the gameplay through associated missions in any given time. In addition to closing threats, players will also be able to use the various timelines to recruit allies or gather resources to further their goal.

In the latter half of the trailer, the consequences of a player’s strategy are shown as saving one timeline has consequences for others. This domino effect can assist nearby timelines or doom timelines not focused on in time. The corrosion of the timelines works backwards through time, whereas the player’s choices will have consequences for future civilizations. To preserve these civilizations, players will be able to construct a base with facilities that can serve defensive purposes or allow timelines to be placed in protective stasis.

Time Distortionists promises that a perfect playthrough will be impossible, forcing multiple strategic decisions on what to lose. To complete the game, players will either need to seal away the threat or find its origin and destroy it. The game will be available to play on PC.