The Last Survey
by Nicholas O'Brien
My Role:
Assistant Art Director
Illustration & Animation
ABOUT THIS GAME:
The Last Survey is a narrative essay where you take on the role of a geologist contracted by a Brazilian mining company to survey rare earth metal reserves. Rare earth metals like nickel, silver, cobalt, and platinum are used in most major electronics including PC parts, green technology components, and almost all mobile devices. However, after a year of conducting your research, you've found that there is not enough of these metals on the planet to sustain industries reliant on current supply chains, and you must deliver these findings to the company's CEO, Victor Ferreira.
Based on studies and projections from real-world geoscientists and mineral analysts, recent findings show there isn't enough mineral material on the planet for the growing demands for electric cars, high efficiency fuel cells, solar paneling manufacturing, and even some of the components used to play & produce this game.
Will your choices help steer the direction of your employer away from global mineral fatigue? Or will the urgency of your research fall on unsympathetic ears?
Based on studies and projections from real-world geoscientists and mineral analysts, recent findings show there isn't enough mineral material on the planet for the growing demands for electric cars, high efficiency fuel cells, solar paneling manufacturing, and even some of the components used to play & produce this game.
Will your choices help steer the direction of your employer away from global mineral fatigue? Or will the urgency of your research fall on unsympathetic ears?
This Game Features:
Over 1500 of hand-drawn digital, graphite, and charcoal drawings
Choose-Your-Own Adventure monologue / dialog options
Multiple endings depending on how you conduct yourself
Dynamic soundtrack by Lewis Kopenhafer
Story-rich narrative that critiques globalism, extractionist capitalism, and executive greed
Praise for The Last Survey
"A gorgeously animated short game about confronting the limited resources this planet & a chilling CEO... its haunting story has really stuck with me."-Eli Cauley of Crawlspace Studio
"The Last Survey is certainly one of the most poignant games I have played in a long while, and it is exquisitely illustrated to boot.”
-Dhruv of Studio Oleomingus
"I can't think of many other games that absolutely nail the atmosphere of serious corporate power. Plus the art style and soundtrack are excellent!"
-David Cribb, maker of A Hand with Many Fingers
"If there’s still an ongoing argument about whether visual novels are ‘games’, then The Last Survey is the conclusive answer."
-John Walker, co-founder of Rock Paper Shotgun
"The Last Survey is certainly one of the most poignant games I have played in a long while, and it is exquisitely illustrated to boot.”
-Dhruv of Studio Oleomingus
"I can't think of many other games that absolutely nail the atmosphere of serious corporate power. Plus the art style and soundtrack are excellent!"
-David Cribb, maker of A Hand with Many Fingers
"If there’s still an ongoing argument about whether visual novels are ‘games’, then The Last Survey is the conclusive answer."
-John Walker, co-founder of Rock Paper Shotgun
