11 bit studios today announced Last Variable, a 20-hour expansion for survival sci-The Alters, scheduled for release on July 13th. This new story will immerse us in a new story arc where scientific research and survival merge, guiding Jan Scientist and his alters on a mission that could redefine the fate of humanity.

Here Jan Scientist decides to stay on the hostile planet while the others abandon the mission: this choice will give life to a personal story centered on a once-in-a-lifetime research opportunity. In Last Variable, we'll have to coordinate a new team of alters, alternate versions of Jan with specialized skills but different views on science. To unravel the mystery of the Oasis, we will have to rely on figures such as the Geologist, the Biologist, the Chemist or the Physicist, each of whom will bring a unique approach that will influence both the game mechanics and the narrative.

The expansion revolutionizes the gameplay loop with terraforming: we will have to transform arid areas into lush biomes similar to oases, but each change to the landscape will activate the planet's defense mechanisms. More frequent earthquakes, intense radiation waves, and other environmental threats will test our ability to plan and adapt. At the same time, we will have to expand our underground base, building in different types of terrain and unlocking new modules such as the Cryosleep Chamber, which will allow us to "skip" periods of time to observe the long-term effects of our actions.

While we are in cryosleep, the alters working in the Field Labs will continue their research without temporal protection, aging and evolving in unpredictable ways. We will therefore have to manage not only resources and the environment, but also the emotional and philosophical dynamics of our team. During the short windows of exploration on the surface, drastically changed after each planetary cycle, Field Laboratories will assign new tasks to alters, keeping the progression alive even when we are not active ourselves.

We leave you with the announcement trailer and a set of images of the new expansion; enjoy!