The indie developer also drew inspiration from Sony; the game features a device that closely resembles the PSP.
The Panline is the Civic Flow Engine that sustains abundance for all. It is a system of systems that integrates governance, economics, and public infrastructure in order to provide the best possible material conditions for the citizens of The City. All essential goods, as well as many non-essential goods, are produced at zero cost. Runners thrive in the inverted hierarchy of value, controlling the flow of information and the new seat of power. You run with the Charter crew. They are a network of couriers, fixers, and data brokers who drive the new attention economy, which is built on identity and exclusivity. Between jobs, the base is where favors are traded, introductions are made, and trust is built and broken.
Movement is your language, and technique is everything. It is passed down by senior runners, refined on real routes, and guarded like tradecraft. Earn their approval, fold their knowledge into your lines, and peel back the layers of the city — new routes, new vantage points, and new ways through previously closed spaces. The City does not hand you its layout. Build your navigational skills by exploring sightlines and landmarks. Remember them. You will only have a compass to keep you oriented. A secret contract economy runs beneath abundance. Jobs are posted on anonymous forums and message boards and pay well. Access tokens and off-grid favors. Data and computing time. Some jobs are simple hand-offs, while others are multi-stop jobs where the route and delivery conditions are as important as time and distance.
Storage upgrades increase your carrying capacity. Specialized kits protect high-value payloads and enable you to take on riskier jobs. A courier’s life revolves around jobs, salvage, and anything else that fits in their bag. Panlet is your piece of Panline. It’s a jailbroken, customized off-the-shelf device that turns into the perfect runner’s keychain. However, it is also a physical kit and can malfunction in the field. Bad landings and slips can crack it, forcing you to repair it before you can use it again. Firmware upgrades expand its capabilities, opening up infrastructure access in the city.
What you carry is what you risk, and progress only counts once you make it back to base. New techniques come from senior runners. Look for them on the rooftops. Pick a direction and run. Don’t forget the way you came. No map. Landmarks, memory, and your compass are all you need to stay oriented. Run during the day and return to base at night to rest and regroup until you get your Night Running Pass. Items found in the city enable repairs, upgrades, and the ability to take on riskier contracts. There is limited space. Secured slots keep your most valuable cargo safe in case of slip-ups. Contracts appear dynamically through boards and contacts. Keep an eye out for the type of payout you need. Bring up your Panlet and manipulate the city’s infrastructure to suit your needs. New areas open up as your movement, Panlet capabilities, and social reach advance. Repair your gear, upgrade your loadout, manage your stash, and spend your favors at night to prepare for the next day.
Panline is set to launch in early access on Steam sometime this year.
