REPTRAILS - Save the FRD: Interview with Developer Torsten Fock-Herde

The Hamburg-based indie studio kabuff.co developed the single-player simulation game REPTRAILS—Save the FRD to provide a satirical, interactive critique of contemporary conspiracy theories. By placing players in the role of a reptiloid agent tasked with manipulating the world population through tropes like chemtrails and media control, the game aims to playfully analyze and debunk the logic behind such ideologies. The project serves as both an entertainment product and a tool for engaging new audiences with fact-checking concepts.

The game utilizes classic real-time strategy (RTS) mechanics, employing a rock-paper-scissors approach to territory control. This design choice is intended to provide players with a sense of agency while maintaining accessibility for a broad user base. The development process was significantly influenced by the social climate of the COVID-19 pandemic, which prompted the studio to formalize the project after an initial prototype was shelved in 2017.

To secure funding for the project, the studio turned to the crowdfunding platform Startnext, citing strong community interest as the primary driver for this financial model. The studio’s stated objective was to achieve a full release via an Early Access model on Steam, with planned availability for both PC and Android platforms. The interview highlights the studio's commitment to using game design as a medium for social commentary, leveraging humor to address the exhaustion often associated with navigating modern misinformation.