Lethal Company
{{Short description|Upcoming video game}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}}
{{Use American English|date=April 2025}}
{{Infobox video game
| title = Lethal Company
| image = Lethal Company Steam cover.jpg
| developer = Zeekerss
| publisher = Zeekerss
| engine = Unity{{cite web|url=https://blog.unity.com/games/made-with-unity-2023-review|title=Made with Unity: 2023 in review|work=Unity Technologies|last1=Saver|first1=Michael|last2=Pung|first2=Julia|last3=Stanton|access-date=January 13, 2024|archive-date=January 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240113211703/https://blog.unity.com/games/made-with-unity-2023-review|url-status=live}}
| platforms = Windows
| genre = Survival horror
| modes = Single-player, multiplayer
| released = October 23, 2023
(early access)
}}
Lethal Company is an upcoming cooperative survival horror video game developed and published by American developer Zeekerss for Windows. It was released in early access in October 2023 and gained popularity on the Steam storefront.
In Lethal Company, players obtain and sell scrap from abandoned, industrialized exomoons while avoiding traps, environmental hazards, monsters, which are often referred to as "anomalies", "entities", or "creatures", and the hostile fauna. As employees of "The Company", players must sell enough scrap to meet a series of increasing profit quotas until they inevitably fail and the game starts over.
Gameplay
File:Lethal Company gameplay screenshot.pngLethal Company is a cooperative video game for up to four players played in first-person perspective. Set in a retro-futuristic setting, players work as contracted employees of "The Company". They can communicate with each other through the in-game proximity chat, as well as proximity text chat. Players are tasked with visiting abandoned moons to collect as much scrap as possible. Each moon has one facility containing procedurally-generated rooms, alongside valuable scrap, hazardous traps, and malicious creatures. Players must work quickly and return to their ship before midnight, or the autopilot will leave without them. If there are no living players on board the ship as it leaves the planet, all collected scrap will be lost. Collected scrap is sold at the Company moon, 71-Gordion, to obtain Company credits.{{cite news |last1=Valentina Stella |first1=Marloes |date=24 November 2023 |title=How to make money in Lethal Company |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/lethal-company-money/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129004927/https://www.gamesradar.com/lethal-company-money/ |archive-date=November 29, 2023 |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=GamesRadar+ |language=en}} At the end of each deadline, if the players sell enough scrap to reach the required quota, they will begin another three-day cycle with a higher profit goal. Failure to meet the Company's quota results in players being ejected into space; this constitutes a game over.{{Cite web |last=Jain |first=Sanyam |date=2023-12-16 |title=Lethal Company: Complete Guide |url=https://www.thegamer.com/lethal-company-complete-guide/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114162924/https://www.thegamer.com/lethal-company-complete-guide/ |url-status=live }}
Players may only carry four items at a time, including one item requiring both hands. Two-handed scrap items, while typically the most valuable, prevent one from performing certain actions when held, like climbing ladders and picking up more items. All carriable equipment (such as flashlights or walkie-talkies) and pieces of scrap require one free item slot each. Players can use their ship's onboard computer terminal to navigate to moons and spend their earned Company credits on equipment and humorous ship accessories, such as a shower or toilet. The terminal may also be used to view the positions of other players, open security doors, or temporarily disable landmines and turrets inside the facility.{{Cite web |last1=Rothery |first1=Jen |last2=Stella |first2=Marloes Valentina |last3=Brandon |display-authors=etal |title=Lethal Company Terminal Commands - Lethal Company Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Lethal_Company_Terminal_Commands |access-date=2024-01-02 |website=IGN |date=December 20, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=March 2, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240302161053/https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Lethal_Company_Terminal_Commands |url-status=live }}
The game offers twelve playable moons, including the Company's moon where collected scrap is sold. Moons differ in which and how many monsters spawn, as well as the amount and value of scrap available. Players must spend credits to access the most dangerous and lucrative moons.{{Cite web |last1=Rothery |first1=Jen |last2=Stella |first2=Marloes Valentina |display-authors=etal |title=Lethal Company Moons - Lethal Company Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Lethal_Company_Moons |access-date=2023-12-29 |website=IGN |date=November 23, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=December 19, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231219122558/https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Lethal_Company_Moons |url-status=live }} Moons may randomly have dangerous weather conditions or hazards such as fog, quicksand, lightning storms, flooding, or solar eclipses that hinder players' progress.{{Cite web |last=Shi |first=Annie |date=2023-12-23 |title=Lethal Company: Weather Conditions, Explained |url=https://www.thegamer.com/lethal-company-weather-conditions-explained/ |access-date=2023-12-31 |website=TheGamer |language=en |archive-date=January 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240114162627/https://www.thegamer.com/lethal-company-weather-conditions-explained/ |url-status=live }}
Players encounter a variety of creatures while exploring. Most are found inside each moon's facility, but some will spawn outdoors. Most entities are hostile towards the players, though some creatures, like the Spore Lizard and Hoarding Bug, will remain passive until provoked.{{Cite web |last1=Rothery |first1=Jen |last2=Stella |first2=Marloes Valentina |last3=Brandon |display-authors=etal |date=2023-12-21 |title=Spore Lizard - Lethal Company Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Spore_Lizard |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=January 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108005222/https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Spore_Lizard |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Rothery |first1=Jen |last2=Stella |first2=Marloes Valentina |last3=Brandon |display-authors=etal |date=2023-12-21 |title=Hoarding Bug - Lethal Company Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Hoarding_Bug |access-date=2024-01-08 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=February 1, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240201131118/https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Hoarding_Bug |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Writer |first=Kiera Mills Guides |last2=Mills |first2=Kiera |date=2024-02-08 |title=All Lethal Company monsters and how to beat them |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/lethal-company-monsters |access-date=2024-05-02 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en}} The game's monsters include the Thumper, a two-legged beast that can reach high speeds but is bad at making tight turns, and the Bracken, a humanoid creature that stalks its prey before snapping its neck, but runs away when spotted.{{Cite web |last1=Rothery |first1=Jen |last2=Stella |first2=Marloes Valentina |last3=Brandon |display-authors=etal |title=Bracken - Lethal Company Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Bracken |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=IGN |date=December 19, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=February 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240218153000/https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Bracken |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last1=Rothery |first1=Jen |last2=Stella |first2=Marloes Valentina |last3=Brandon |display-authors=etal |title=Thumper - Lethal Company Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Thumper |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=IGN |date=December 21, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118073421/https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Thumper |url-status=live }} One of the most dangerous enemies is the Jester, an invincible creature inside a giant jack-in-the-box. It wanders harmlessly until it spots a player, whereupon it will begin following them before stopping to turn its crank. After popping open, it will hunt and kill all players in the facility.{{Cite web |last1=Rothery |first1=Jen |last2=Stella |first2=Marloes Valentina |last3=Brandon |display-authors=etal |title=Jester - Lethal Company Guide |url=https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Jester |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=IGN |date=December 21, 2023 |language=en |archive-date=January 18, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240118073420/https://www.ign.com/wikis/lethal-company/Jester |url-status=live }}
Development
Zeekerss previously developed games on the game creation platform Roblox.{{Cite news |last=Lane |first=Rick |date=2023-11-20 |title=Co-op horror game Lethal Company costs $10 and is outselling Call of Duty on Steam |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/co-op-horror-game-lethal-company-costs-dollar10-and-is-outselling-call-of-duty-on-steam/ |access-date=2023-12-03 |archive-date=December 5, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205213535/https://www.pcgamer.com/co-op-horror-game-lethal-company-costs-dollar10-and-is-outselling-call-of-duty-on-steam/ |url-status=live }} Lethal Company was released in early access for Microsoft Windows on October 23, 2023. In November, Zeekerss said he plans to finish the game within six months.{{Cite web |last=Gould |first=Elie |date=2023-11-16 |title=I got chased by man-eating spiders in Lethal Company, and all I got was this crummy teapot |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/i-got-chased-by-man-eating-spiders-in-lethal-company-and-all-i-got-was-this-crummy-teapot |access-date=2023-12-10 |website=TechRadar |language=en |archive-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231214145540/https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/i-got-chased-by-man-eating-spiders-in-lethal-company-and-all-i-got-was-this-crummy-teapot |url-status=live }} He also expressed a desire for content updates to evoke the feeling of breaking into an "alien zoo" and unleashing all the animals.{{Cite news |last=Bolding |first=Jonathan |date=2024-02-10 |title=Lethal Company dev thinking updates should be 'bigger and less frequent' and 'like I broke into an alien zoo' |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/lethal-company-dev-thinking-updates-should-be-bigger-and-less-frequent-and-like-i-broke-into-an-alien-zoo/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |work=PC Gamer |language=en |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222012312/https://www.pcgamer.com/lethal-company-dev-thinking-updates-should-be-bigger-and-less-frequent-and-like-i-broke-into-an-alien-zoo/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=2024-02-11 |title=Lethal Company dev wants future updates to feel like they "broke into an alien zoo and released the animals" |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/lethal-company-dev-wants-future-updates-to-feel-like-they-broke-into-an-alien-zoo-and-released-the-animals |access-date=2024-02-12 |work=Eurogamer.net |language=en |archive-date=February 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226122552/https://www.eurogamer.net/lethal-company-dev-wants-future-updates-to-feel-like-they-broke-into-an-alien-zoo-and-released-the-animals |url-status=live }}
Reception
Lethal Company has received critical acclaim on the online storefront Steam, topping the platform's Global Top Seller list and having 100,000 concurrent players in November 2023.{{cite news |last1=Gerblick |first1=Jordan |date=21 November 2023 |title=Steam's new viral co-op horror hit has 30,000 'overwhelmingly positive' reviews and 100,000 peak players, rivaling Call of Duty, PUBG, and Apex Legends |language=en |work=GamesRadar+ |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/steams-new-viral-co-op-horror-hit-has-30000-overwhelmingly-positive-reviews-and-100000-peak-players-rivaling-call-of-duty-pubg-and-apex-legends/ |url-status=live |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128084602/https://www.gamesradar.com/steams-new-viral-co-op-horror-hit-has-30000-overwhelmingly-positive-reviews-and-100000-peak-players-rivaling-call-of-duty-pubg-and-apex-legends/ |archive-date=November 28, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Dinsdale |first1=Ryan |date=20 November 2023 |title=Lethal Company, Steam's Latest Hit, Reaches 100,000 Concurrent Players |language=en |work=IGN |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/lethal-company-steams-latest-hit-reaches-100000-concurrent-players |url-status=live |access-date=1 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231129021013/https://www.ign.com/articles/lethal-company-steams-latest-hit-reaches-100000-concurrent-players |archive-date=November 29, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Wood |first1=Austin |date=27 November 2023 |title=In under 6 weeks, co-op hit Lethal Company passes Baldur's Gate 3 and Resident Evil 4 to become the highest-rated Steam release of 2023 |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/in-under-6-weeks-co-op-hit-lethal-company-passes-baldurs-gate-3-and-resident-evil-4-to-become-the-highest-rated-steam-release-of-2023/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231128125857/https://www.gamesradar.com/in-under-6-weeks-co-op-hit-lethal-company-passes-baldurs-gate-3-and-resident-evil-4-to-become-the-highest-rated-steam-release-of-2023/ |archive-date=November 28, 2023 |access-date=29 November 2023 |work=GamesRadar+ |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Chris |date=November 20, 2023 |title=Indie horror Lethal Company tops 100,000 concurrent users on Steam |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/indie-horror-lethal-company-tops-100-000-concurrent-users-on-steam |access-date=2024-05-02 |website=www.gamedeveloper.com |language=en}} Its popularity has been attributed to social media{{Cite web |last=Diaz |first=Ana |date=2024-01-17 |title=Lethal Company was bound to blow up — and now it's everywhere on social media |url=https://www.polygon.com/24040561/lethal-company-roblox-popularity-explained |access-date=2024-02-18 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=March 5, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240305230528/https://www.polygon.com/24040561/lethal-company-roblox-popularity-explained |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Ridley |first=Jacob |date=2023-12-25 |title=Lethal Company is a viral hit in no small part thanks to all the intense shouting |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/lethal-company-is-a-viral-hit-in-no-small-part-thanks-to-all-the-intense-shouting/ |access-date=2024-05-15 |work=PC Gamer |language=en}} and compared to the similar horror game Phasmophobia.{{Cite news |last=Tarason |first=Dominic |date=2023-11-24 |title=Lethal Company's co-op horror comedy is like an immediately more chaotic and deadly Phasmophobia |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/lethal-companys-co-op-horror-comedy-is-like-phasmophobia-but-immediately-more-chaotic-and-deadly/ |access-date=2023-12-29 |archive-date=December 29, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231229192433/https://www.pcgamer.com/lethal-companys-co-op-horror-comedy-is-like-phasmophobia-but-immediately-more-chaotic-and-deadly/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Koselke |first=Anna |date=2023-11-10 |title=Phasmophobia fans, you can't miss this chaotic new horror game |url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/lethal-company/new-phasmophobia |access-date=2023-12-30 |website=PCGamesN |language=en-US |archive-date=December 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231230172058/https://www.pcgamesn.com/lethal-company/new-phasmophobia |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Bell |first=Alice |date=2024-04-26 |title=I respect Lethal Company's dedication to being a slapstick-fest that makes zero sense whatsoever |url=https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-respect-lethal-companys-dedication-to-being-a-slapstick-fest-that-makes-zero-sense-whatsoever |access-date=2024-04-28 |work=Rock, Paper, Shotgun |language=en |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426201340/https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/i-respect-lethal-companys-dedication-to-being-a-slapstick-fest-that-makes-zero-sense-whatsoever |url-status=live }}
Kelsey Raynor of VG247 noted that the game "...might not look like much given its grisly cel-shaded graphics, but fans are wholly obsessed with Lethal Company, and its gruesome aesthetic is clearly just another part of its charm."{{Cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/steam-game-going-viral-and-easy-to-see-why|title=This $10 Steam game is going massively viral, and it's easy to see why|first=Kelsey|last=Raynor|date=November 16, 2023|website=VG247|access-date=November 17, 2023|archive-date=November 16, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231116201928/https://www.vg247.com/steam-game-going-viral-and-easy-to-see-why|url-status=live}} Gabriel Moss of IGN said that "Lethal Company already instills a sense of wonder", and that the game's co-op loot hunts "manage to transcend its limited content and missing systems."{{cite news |last1=Moss |first1=Gabriel |title=Lethal Company Early Access Review |url=https://ign.com/articles/lethal-company-early-access-review |access-date=30 November 2023 |work=IGN |date=29 November 2023 |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231130013746/https://www.ign.com/articles/lethal-company-early-access-review |url-status=live }} PCGamesN included Lethal Company on its listing of best horror games available on PC.{{cite news | last1=Lees | first1=Gina | title=21 of the best horror games to play right now | access-date=17 April 2024 | work=PCGamesN | date=12 March 2024 | url=https://www.pcgamesn.com/15-best-horror-games-pc | archive-date=April 16, 2024 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416192527/https://www.pcgamesn.com/15-best-horror-games-pc | url-status=live }}
According to an approximate estimate by Push To Talk, Lethal Company has sold more than 10 million copies as of January 2024.{{cite news |author=Ryan K. |first=Rigney |date=19 January 2024 |title=The 10-Year Journey Behind Lethal Company's Success |url=https://www.pushtotalk.gg/p/how-lethal-company-sold-10-million-copies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240119202657/https://www.pushtotalk.gg/p/how-lethal-company-sold-10-million-copies |archive-date=19 January 2024 |access-date=June 24, 2024 |work=Push To Talk}}
The player avatar has appeared in the online video game Fortnite as "The Employee", which was added to the game in June 2024 alongside additional cosmetics and an emote based on Lethal Company.{{Cite web |last=Bardhan |first=Ashley |date=31 May 2024 |title=Lethal Company dev celebrates his game being added to Fortnite by wiping out an entire squad of his characters |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/games/battle-royale/lethal-company-dev-celebrates-his-game-being-added-to-fortnite-by-wiping-out-an-entire-squad-of-his-characters/ |access-date=June 14, 2024 |publisher=GamesRadar+}}
= Awards =
References
{{reflist}}
External links
- {{Cite AV media |title=Lethal Company - Announcement Teaser |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vt08pWqO6Og|date=July 8, 2022|type=Trailer}}
Category:Cooperative video games
Category:Dystopian video games
Category:Early access video games
Category:Video games about extraterrestrial life
Category:Video games developed in the United States
Category:Open-world video games
Category:Post-apocalyptic video games
Category:Science fiction video games
Category:2020s horror video games