Overview
The Bornless is a multiplayer action horror FPS that blends survival, strategy, and extraction gameplay in a dark, Lovecraft-inspired world. Set in the eerie 1960s on Farmouth Island, an isolated land off the coast of Massachusetts, the game immerses players in a setting where the barrier between reality and the abyss is dangerously thin. Here, players engage in tense matches that combine fast-paced shooting with supernatural mechanics rooted in rituals and demonic transformations. Developed as a competitive yet atmospheric experience, The Bornless focuses on player-versus-player encounters alongside environmental threats from lurking cultists and monsters.
The game revolves around the collection of Sigils, mystical relics that allow players to invoke rituals and gain demonic powers. These Sigils are central to the core loop: compete for them, survive long enough to wield their power, and escape before the night consumes everything. The Bornless takes influence from extraction shooters but layers it with occult elements and psychological tension. Rather than simply surviving, players must decide whether to risk everything for power or play cautiously to ensure their escape.
Game Lore
The Bornless is set in the 1960s on Farmouth Island, a once-peaceful fishing settlement off the coast of Massachusetts that has become consumed by dark rituals and supernatural forces. The barrier between reality and the abyss has nearly vanished, allowing ancient horrors to bleed into the mortal world. Those who come to the island, seeking power, knowledge, or redemption, often fall to its corruption, joining the ranks of the Cultists who now roam its forests and ruins, enslaved by unseen entities.
At the center of the island’s curse are the Sigils, symbols of forbidden power that grant mortals the ability to channel demonic energy. But wielding this power comes at a heavy cost, as each use draws the player closer to becoming one of the very Demons they fear. The world of The Bornless reflects classic Lovecraftian horror, mixing 1960s Americana with cosmic dread, where decaying chapels and fog-covered coastlines mask an endless descent into madness.
Gameplay and Features
The Bornless is a competitive first-person shooter that merges horror and extraction gameplay. Players enter matches where they must scavenge for Sigils, face off against rival players, and survive monstrous entities that roam the island. Matches take place on maps like Frostburn Asteroid and Farmouth Island, where every corner holds a new threat—either from other players or supernatural forces.
The Bornless
Combat in The Bornless is built on tension and precision. Gunplay is tight and realistic, emphasizing ammo management, positioning, and line of sight. Players can use conventional weapons such as shotguns and rifles but must also rely on rituals to gain temporary boosts or summon abilities. Rituals play a major role in matches, offering strategic advantages at the risk of exposing your location or attracting unwanted attention.
The Bornless
A key mechanic is the Sigil system. Sigils are scattered across the map and serve as both objectives and temptations. Collecting Sigils allows players to become Demons, granting them powerful abilities and a massive edge in combat. However, the transformation isn’t without risks. The more power a player gains, the more likely they are to draw the attention of even deadlier entities, or become a target for others looking to steal their Sigils.
The Bornless
The Bornless balances direct player combat with environmental challenges. Cultists and monsters patrol specific areas, forcing players to choose between engaging them for potential loot or avoiding conflict to stay hidden. Stealth, timing, and communication are vital, especially in team-based modes where coordination can mean the difference between survival and total annihilation.
The extraction element adds another layer of gameplay. Players must not only outlast their opponents but also find a way to escape the island before the night ends. Extraction points appear at certain times, and reaching them safely with collected Sigils is the ultimate goal. Every decision matters, whether to fight, flee, or form temporary truces in the chaos.
NFTs and Blockchain
The Bornless is not a blockchain game in its core design. It is a traditionally developed multiplayer FPS with optional blockchain technology built adjacent to the main game. The blockchain layer does not influence gameplay balance, combat, or progression. Instead, it allows players to safely engage in peer-to-peer trading and explore optional non-gameplay-related features.
These systems are entirely optional and exist outside of the main game loop. Players who are only interested in the core FPS experience can play without ever interacting with blockchain elements. The developers have clarified that their approach prioritizes traditional game design first, with blockchain serving as a secondary ecosystem for those interested in digital ownership or trading.
How to Get Started
The Bornless is currently available to wishlist on Steam and the Epic Games Store. It is designed for Windows PC and has no plans for Mac support. Console versions are expected to arrive in the future, but the primary focus remains on delivering a stable PC release first.
To get started, interested players can begin by adding The Bornless to their Steam wishlist. When the next playtest period opens, Steam will distribute thousands of access keys to players who have wishlisted the game. Joining the game’s official Discord community is another great way to secure early access opportunities, as the team frequently rewards active community members with test keys and updates.
