Obelus puts an intergalactic insurance salesman into a battle mech

While other spacefaring adventures are about saving planets and fighting invaders, Obelus is just trying to sell some insurance. It’s a new action sidescroller from developer Springloaded Software, and it’s looking to raise $50,000 in a campaign on the crowdfunding platform Fig by December 7. It plans to launch on PC and the Nintendo Switch.

Obelus features a pixel art aesthetic for its alien landscapes. The protagonist, Dave, is an insurance salesman who travels the galaxy in an artificial intelligence-assisted mech. In his journey to seek new customers, he’ll encounter some hostile creatures. A branching narrative and dialogue choices also promise to examine themes about AI and big data with what seems to be an existentialist bent.