Unstoppable Conversations: Exploring Development, Adapting Stanislaw Lem's Legacy, and Beyond

We interviewed several developers at Starward Industries to discuss the development process of The Invincible video game and its commitment to faithfully adapting the renowned sci-fi novel by Stanisław Lem. The interview has been edited for conciseness and coherence.

Stanisław Lem, our national literary pride in Poland, was not an obvious choice. He was a writer, futurologist, and philosopher who humorously referred to himself as the "Casanova of Science," a description that was accurate in many ways. Remarkably, Lem foresaw numerous contemporary inventions such as drones, audiobooks, smartphones, and the internet. His renowned work "Solaris" is regarded as a significant contribution to the science fiction genre, alongside the likes of Wells, Stapledon, and Dick. It is worth mentioning that Lem possessed a distinctive and recognizable style, combining grotesque humor with profound cognitive pessimism.

Q: It has been previously mentioned that discovering Lem's novel to modify was "like destiny." Reflecting on the initial conception of the idea now that we are nearing the release, what is your current perspective?

Marek Markuszewski, CEO: Lem's family has played an integral role in the game's development. They have been actively involved, providing valuable insights and support throughout.

Markuszewski: Tomasz Lem, the son of Stanisław Lem, was kept updated on the advancements made during pre-production and production. He was also informed about our intended alterations to the story, particularly in terms of portraying the narrative from the viewpoint of a character other than the one in his father's original literary work.

Q: Lem's novels have previously posed challenges when being adapted. The 2002 film adaptation of Solaris, for instance, received a mixed reception. In your opinion, do you believe that The Invincible is better suited for gameplay rather than cinema? If yes, why?

Dobrowolski: We are excited to share what we have prepared with everyone. Translating Lem's visionary world into the gaming medium required extensive effort, resulting in a stunning virtual reality where players can fully immerse themselves in the spirit of a Lem-inspired adventure. Lem's creation of this awe-inspiring world motivated us to provide people with the opportunity to experience it through a unique medium.

Q: During the game development process, if you had the chance to ask Lem anything about his novel, what question would you have asked him?

Wojciech Ostrycharz, art director, contemplates whether there is any glimmer of hope and empathy within humanity's pride and determination in conquering the future and exploring other worlds. Transitioning back from this philosophical journey to reality, we may question the book's undefined aspects – its forms, shapes, and methods. Nevertheless, rather than dwelling on this ambiguity, we choose to focus on the positive, as the absence of specific descriptions only ignites our imaginative creativity.

Q: How has the experience of honoring Lem's legacy in this game been? Have there been any notable moments or difficulties?

Ostrycharz: Lem's essence and his words are evident throughout the gameplay. The game's overarching message, embodied by its promotional slogan "Not everything everywhere is for us," serves as a tribute to Lem. Additionally, there are various hidden nods to Lem's work within the game. Our aspiration is to contribute to his legacy and hope that our game inspires a new generation to discover and immerse themselves in Lem's captivating literary universe, just as we have.

Starward Industries comprises developers with prior experience at esteemed companies such as CD Projekt Red and Techland. This background has had a significant impact on The Invincible. The involvement in major productions has bestowed upon us a profound understanding of the intricacies of development processes as well as the interplay between different elements. This encompasses not only technical aspects but also delves into the realm of conceptualization and its crucial role in constructing a cohesive game world, particularly in terms of storytelling. These experiences have elevated our skills as developers and equipped us with invaluable insights and expertise.

Q: Can you share any special behind-the-scenes moments in the development of the game?

Markuszewski: One significant moment occurred when we revealed our key art to the public, which was created by our talented Art Director, Wojciech Ostrycharz. The design turned out to be a perfect fit for the game's title, featuring an iconic image of a Bullseye. The positive response it received was incredible. Additionally, when we released our teaser trailer, preceded by a mini-campaign with a countdown clock, we experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. However, once we saw the first comments, we felt a sense of relief as the reception was extremely positive. It was truly gratifying to see that people were excited about what we were creating.

Ostrycharz explained that the intention behind presenting the story from a different perspective was to make the narrative more appealing and accessible to both existing fans of Lem's novel and newcomers. This approach aimed to encourage those unfamiliar with Lem's work to explore the original novel. The decision was also made to not directly translate Lem's character Rohan into the game's language, as the team recognized the character's significance to readers, and wanted to utilize the unique opportunities and limitations of the gaming medium.

An important factor that influenced our decision to use The Invincible as the source material is the significant relevance of the book's message. Both the book and the game strongly address themes of opposition to imperialism and colonialism, the boundaries of human understanding, and reverence for the natural world, even if it is unfamiliar and impossible to comprehend. Regis III serves as an extraterrestrial planet, but it could just as easily be a terrestrial jungle inhabited by an unknown species, a realm we venture into without a trace of humility.

Lem introduced the concept of "necroevolution" in The Invincible, referring to the development of inanimate objects. How does this concept contribute to the game's narrative?

Markuszewski finds translating Lem's intricate philosophy on the boundaries of knowledge to be the most difficult task in creating the video game. Despite this challenge, he believes the game's narrative effectively presents this concept in an intriguing and thought-provoking manner.

Q: How have the influences of Alien: Isolation, Firewatch, and Road 96 been manifested in The Invincible?

Markuszewski: Firewatch has served as a significant benchmark for us, particularly in terms of its dynamic dialogues, the relationship with the person on the radio, and the maturity of its themes. Our aim was to provide players with a similar experience, immersing them in a beautifully designed world where they not only face external challenges but also discover more about themselves. We sought to combine the lightness and adventure of Firewatch's world with the sense of alienation and threat found in Alien: Isolation. Additionally, Road 96 has played a crucial role in defining our player profile.

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The Invincible

The Invincible is an immersive adventure game that takes inspiration from Stanislaw Lem's captivating works of hard sci-fi. Embark on a journey as Yasna, delving into the mysteries of Regis III, using various tools to uncover the whereabouts of her lost crew members, and confronting unexpected dangers along the way.

Platform(s): PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S

Release Date: November 6, 2023

Developer: Starward Industries

Publisher: 11 Bit Studios

Editor's P/S

As an enthusiastic fan of Stanisław Lem, I am thrilled to see his work being adapted into a video game. The Invincible is a challenging novel, but I believe that Starward Industries is up to the task of creating a faithful and engaging adaptation.

I am particularly interested in seeing how the game will handle the novel's complex themes of identity, humanity, and the nature of reality. I am also eager to see how the game will use its unique medium to create an immersive and thought-provoking experience.

I am confident that The Invincible will be a worthy addition to Lem's legacy and that it will introduce his work to a new generation of fans.