Thomas Was Alone and Volume developer Mike Bithell has announced a new project. The Solitaire Conspiracy is the third in his experimental "Bithell Short" series and is coming to PC via Steam on October 6th.
What is The Solitaire Conspiracy?
Bithell says The Solitaire Conspiracy will feature "Solitaire, but extra, with powers and a full FMV storied campaign". After the world's leading spy agency Protego is destroyed, you must take up the power of C.A.R.D.S. to reunite Protego's scattered crews and save the world. Bithell promises a world of "AI spies and cyber-enhanced operators" against whom you must play tactical Solitaire "like none you've ever played before". To aid you in your quest, you'll have assistance from Protego employees Jim Ratio and Diamond, played by Kinda Funny's Greg Miller and Inel Tomlinson.
So... what if Solitaire, but extra, with powers and a full FMV storied campaign, time attack and skirmish modes!https://t.co/y2ajsbnNqL
— Mike Bithell (@mikeBithell) September 22, 2020
The third Bithell Short: The Solitaire Conspiracy. Coming October 6th. Wishlist now, and help us make a splash on launch day. pic.twitter.com/P12191zW4I
Unlike Bithell's previous shorts Quarantine Circular and Subsurface Circular, The Solitaire Conspiracy will offer three game modes. The campaign mode will tell the main story of the game and offer a tutorial for its mechanics. There's also Countdown mode, which is an endurance mode offering the chance to battle against unique decks, and Skirmish, an infinite play mode allowing you to play as and against crews you've unlocked. The Solitaire Conspiracy will also feature music composed by Shadowrun: Dragonfall and Battletech composer Jon Everist.
According to Bithell, while his Short games are usually released as a surprise without any buildup, 2020's unique circumstances means he and his team need "to spend a bit more time building up some interest". That's why The Solitaire Conspiracy was announced two weeks ahead of its release date. If you're into the idea of the game, you can wishlist it on Steam or via the Epic Games Store right now, which Bithell says will help to give the game "a fighting chance". If The Solitaire Conspiracy does well on PC, Bithell says the team will be bringing it to other platforms too.
This isn't the first attempt a developer has made to make classic Solitaire gameplay more exciting. Last year, Microsoft added experience points and leveling up to its Microsoft Solitaire Collection, which is the modern version of old-school Windows Solitaire. After Bithell's revamp, all Solitaire needs is an open world to explore and a morality system and it'll be a serious contender in the modern gaming world.
Does The Solitaire Conspiracy pique your interest? Let us know in the comments below!