France, April 2026 | In a world where the truth is dangerous, and loyalty is mandatory, how far will you go to survive?
Indie developer Tetrarchy Studios has announced that Mandated Fate, an upcoming dystopian narrative thriller, will open playtesting ahead of its public demo launch in early May on Steam. To participate in the playtest, gamers can join the Official Discord server and request a Steam key, or request access via the Mandated Fate Steam page. Within the game itself, there will be an option to fill out a completely anonymous feedback form.
Blending investigation, political intrigue, and high-stakes decision making, Mandated Fate puts players in the role of an Imperial inspector navigating a towering technocratic regime where every action is monitored - and every choice has consequences.
A System Built on Control (and Merit Score)
Set in an alternate 1985, Mandated Fate drops players into a society obsessed with technological dominance and absolute unity. Tasked with investigating a mysterious murder in a resistant district, players quickly uncover a web of secrets, surveillance, and conflicting loyalties.
Through deep dialogue systems, environmental exploration, and faction manipulation, players must decide whether to uphold the regime, or quietly dismantle it from within.
- Interrogate suspects and uncover hidden truths
- Navigate a dense, vertical city with seamless exploration
- Make morally complex decisions that shape multiple outcomes
- Balance personal survival against political consequences
Wear the Mask. Keep your Soul.
Balance your Merit Score - the Empire’s cold, official metric of your worth - against your Loyalty, the hidden fire of your true convictions, in a world that never stops watching. Every word is a gamble: Navigate the rigid protocols of bureaucratic NPCs who only see your file. Earn the trust of desperate Dissidents or evade the gaze of zealous Loyalists who smell your true intent.
Will you become a model citizen to survive, or maintain a flawless public image while secretly feeding the flames of rebellion? In the Empire, the most dangerous weapon is the one they can’t see on your record.
Playtesters Wanted - Help Shape the Investigation
Ahead of its public demo, Mandated Fate is actively seeking players to help refine the experience.
The team is specifically looking for:
- Steam Deck testers to evaluate performance and handheld playability
- Controller users to refine input feel and accessibility
- Narrative-driven RPG fans ready to stress test choices, dialogue, and outcomes
Player feedback will directly influence polish, balance, and overall immersion as the game moves toward release.
Step Into the System Before the World Does
With its blend of noir detective work, branching narrative, and oppressive dystopian atmosphere, Mandated Fate challenges players to operate inside a system where breaking the rules isn’t optional - it’s expected.
The public demo launches in Early May, but those who join the playtest will be the first to uncover its secrets and shape how the story unfolds.
About Mandated Fate
Mandated Fate explores a future where humanity’s grand technological dreams have collapsed into systems of control. Drawing inspiration from classic dystopian storytelling and noir science fiction, the game presents a bleak yet compelling world where gravity manipulation powers an authoritarian society. Built almost entirely by a solo developer, the project reflects a passion for sci-fi narratives in which humanity ultimately becomes crushed under the weight of its own ambitions.
If you’re interested in staying in the loop on all things Mandated Fate, you can join the Official Discord Server, where feedback and suggestions are always welcome!
Article by: Susan N.
