Go From Indebted Zero to Colonial Hero in Crypterion 1.0

The Genre-Blending Sci-Fi Visual Novel Crypterion Reaches Full Release

[IDAHO] April 29, 2025 — Roencia Game Creators, in partnership with the independent publishing platform indie.io, are pleased to announce that Crypterion completed launch preparations and is now available as Crypterion 1.0 on Steam. The unique blend of adventure, trading, exploration, and management games running on a visual novel engine pushed to its absolute limits is now available in its fully realized version. Rising to power, wealth, and fame in the Rimshot system is more complex and gripping than ever before, thanks to five years' worth of development, content expansion, and polishing the game experience.

Crypterion is set in the Rimshot System, home to millions of opportunists, thrill-seekers, entrepreneurs, and other hopefuls hoping to make a name for themselves in this remote corner of human civilization. What sets the System apart from other frontiers is the Iclantian Comets, relics of an ancient civilization that carry incredible riches for those lucky enough to find them, or determined enough to steal them from others. Players start as one of many aspiring captains, with an old starship purchased on loan, a skeleton crew, and big dreams of rising to wealth and power. 

The game immediately defies easy classification, as the visual novel engine powering it has been overhauled and upgraded to the point of its origins being almost unrecognizable. Rather than following a pre-set story, players create their own: They start as freelance captains seeking passengers and goods to trade, using a dynamic trading system programmed specifically for Crypterion and simulating trade exchanges between the system's six planets. Passengers may offer opportunities to raise the captain's station, gain money, and make decisions that will further shape the game's story. 

The open-ended gameplay allows for pursuing alternate ways of rising to power, steadily opening new opportunities and options, including defrauding the loan sharks that bankrolled the player's starship, gambling with planetary cryptocurrencies, or getting thrown into debtor's prison to work off your debt. That's right: Defaulting is not an end game, but simply a different and equally legitimate way of experiencing the game. Many more opportunities await, along with dozens of distinct characters to forge lasting bonds with, including friendship and marriage.

The full release incorporates every update released over the past five years and more: Crypterion 1.0 comes with a sizable amount of completely new, never-before-seen content, rounding out the game's story, adding a new ending, new secrets to discover and additional revelations about existing characters and elements of the game, and of course a slew of quality-of-life improvements to make it truly stand out.

This sprawling open-world blend of genres is the brainchild of a lone developer, Eldon Harris, created with help from his family, who lent their unique talents to realize Crypterion's various elements. The aforementioned dynamic trading system has been coded by Harris' brother, who also overhauled the random encounter system to ensure each experience remains unique, while his sister and mother provided their artistic talents, from the haunting "Pretend to Love" signature song to the hand-painted planets of the system. The game’s community also contributes to the game’s development, submitting content for inclusion via the official Crypterion Discord or the Steam Community Discussion Board.  

Crypterion, one developer’s passion project, now a fully realized sci-fi sandbox, is available on Steam. Play Crypterion 1.0 on Steam today and join the official Discord and Steam Community Discussion Board to become part of the galaxy. Submit questions for Sunny Dae’s Face To Face® TV show or share your fan art for a chance to see your work featured inside the game!

ABOUT ROENCIA GAME CREATORS

Roencia Game Creators is the development label of solo indie developer Eldon Harris, based in Rigby, Idaho. Originally founded as a resource hub for indie creators, Roencia now focuses entirely on original game development. Harris creates narrative-driven titles using GameMaker Studio, blending rich storytelling with expansive, player-driven systems. As a solo creator, Eldon wears many hats—producer, designer, engineer, and artist—crafting ambitious projects with the support of his family and the wider indie community. His previous game, Omni Link, laid the foundation for Crypterion, a sprawling sci-fi sandbox developed over five years.

ABOUT INDIE.IO

indie.io is home to over 100 of the world’s best independent video games and developers. Our platform was built to provide independent developers with the resources, services, and management tools needed for success. Through collaboration and passion, we strive to cultivate a diverse and vibrant gaming landscape that resonates with players and creators alike!