Meet the people of Autonomica

Let’s talk about the people of Autonomica.

We’re building a system where NPCs aren’t just background decorations. They’ll live real lives in the world, with homes, routines, relationships, and memories of what you’ve done before.

NPCs will have persistent behavior. If you speak to a shopkeeper as they’re locking up for the night, leave, and return shortly after, you might find them halfway home. They won’t reset the second you walk away.

Each NPC will have a home of their own, with interiors that reflect their personality. But you can’t just walk in. You’ll need to build trust. Earn their friendship, and eventually, you might be invited inside. Every NPC will also have their own likes and dislikes, routines and moods, and behind each one is a unique story waiting to be uncovered.

They'll also stay connected through a local in-game social network. NPCs can update their status, chat with other characters, and even message you directly. You might wake up to a surprise gift delivery at your door, a note asking for help, or just a passive-aggressive status update about something you said. It’s another way they’ll stay present, even when you’re not face to face.

You won’t just help them stock their shops or fix a leaky pipe. Over time, you’ll be able to rebuild and redesign their homes too. Paint walls, swap furniture, upgrade kitchen appliances like stoves, owens, and other decor. Their living spaces will evolve alongside your relationship. Each house becomes a reflection of their personality, shaped by both their story and your choices.

And if your bond grows strong enough, some NPCs might even move in with you and help maintain your home. Just promise us you won’t trap them in a room with no doors or strand them in an attic with no way down. We’ve seen things. 

Relationships That Shift with Every World

NPCs in Autonomica won’t follow the same paths every time you play. Their relationships will develop organically, shaped by who they are, what’s happening in the world, and how they feel in the moment. One session, Nico might be completely focused on Anjelica. In another, he might drift away from her and become more interested in you. These social dynamics will form naturally, so no two playthroughs will ever feel the same.

They’ll also respond to your appearance. If you come back from a long day covered in dirt and grease, don’t be surprised if someone holds their nose or walks off without a word.

Clothing in Autonomica will have stats. Practicality determines how fast it gets dirty. Impression affects how NPCs respond. If you’re heading to a festival or on a date, maybe don’t wear your fertilizer-stained jumpsuit.

And as your relationship deepens, new moments and opportunities will begin to unfold. Some of them will be romantic. Others might involve personal quests or playful minigames. We're planning cinematic cutscenes to bring these scenes to life and make them feel meaningful.

Responsive to Weather, Seasons, and You

NPCs won’t stand still while the world changes. On warm days, you might find them relaxing on the beach in their favorite swimsuits. On rainy mornings, they’ll pull on waterproof boots and head for covered markets. Snowy nights might find them huddled in town, sipping hot drinks or checking up on neighbors. Their daily routines will shift naturally with the world around them.

Their interests will also adapt to changing conditions, but not in the same way for everyone. Some will become more social during festivals. Others might disappear into workshops during storms or spend long nights preparing food for an upcoming event. They all respond to the world, but each in their own way. If it’s raining, some will act like it’s raining. If it’s a holiday, some will celebrate. Others may not care at all. We want them to feel alive, with reactions that match their personalities.

You’ll even be able to gift clothing. If your relationship is strong enough, you can ask them to wear it. Whether they agree will depend on your bond and whether the item suits their mood or style.

These small behaviors are meant to make the world feel truly alive. Return to a familiar place after a few days, and you might find someone wearing the coat you gave them. Or ignoring you entirely because you gave it to them in the wrong color.

Living, Changing, Personal

This system is still in development, but we’re building toward a world full of meaningful interactions. These characters won’t exist just for your benefit. They’ll have their own plans, needs, and moods. Some will fall in love with each other. Some will fall in love with you. Some may not care for you at all.

They’ll grow with you. They’ll change with the world. And sometimes, they’ll surprise you.

Getting to Know the People of Autonomica

Here’s a peek at just a few of the characters you might meet. Each one has their own story, their own role in the world, and their own ways of challenging or supporting you. 

Micha

Micha runs the town’s flower shop, but don’t expect warmth. She’s sharp, private, and far more comfortable around plants than people. She’s an expert in plant growth and care, capable of reviving nearly anything green, and expects everyone else to treat nature with the same respect.

You’ll often find her wandering alone, collecting rare blooms or tending to distant flower beds. She has little patience for waste or artificial junk. But beneath her cold surface is someone shaped by loss, who found healing in the natural world.

If you help her restock supplies and support her shop, you’ll see it transform.  

Ricardo

Seventeen years ago, Ricardo crash-landed on the island and never left. A former military pilot turned baker, he now runs the town’s most beloved bakery. Locals swear by his crusty bread, too-strong coffee, and brutal honesty.

He doesn’t talk much about the crash or the leg he lost. Instead, he tells jokes that sound like orders and gives compliments that feel like warnings. And now he says he’s building a submarine. Whether it’s real or just something to keep him occupied is anyone’s guess.

Help him stock his bakery, and you’ll see it grow from a quiet corner shop to a lively community hub. Stick around long enough, and he might stop dreaming of leaving and realize he’s already home.

Kaia

By day, Kaia runs martial arts and yoga classes, helping locals stay fit and centered. But when the sun dips or a time portal opens, she’s suiting up for something far less peaceful. Kaia is a mech and robotics enthusiast with a serious knack for navigating the Finite. She dives into dangerous timelines like it’s a sport, and somehow always comes back with something useful, rare, or wildly outdated.

She’s also one of the best traders around if you're looking to score high-tech loot from the future. Her cabin might be full of dusty gear, unassembled drones, and half-scrapped helmets, but she knows exactly what everything is worth and who wants it most.

Kaia is energetic, sharp, and genuinely fun to be around. She’s always moving, always smiling, and always ready to drop a wild story about something she saw deep in a warped timeline. Whether you're trying to upgrade your rig or just craving good company, Kaia brings the spark.

⚠️⚠️⚠️ IMPORTANT: Most of the characters shown throughout this campaign are still very early work in progress. We're in the early stages of character development, and many details are still being refined and improved. The system we're building gives us a lot of flexibility to make each character truly unique, with different body types, hairstyles, clothing styles, and personalities. Our goal is to make the world of Autonomica feel rich, diverse, and full of life.

🟣 The Button ChroniclesEntry #16

It’s rising.

The form is clearer now, defined limbs, muscle density, controlled motion.

Not flailing.

Climbing.

Whatever’s emerging isn’t confused.

It’s deliberate.

Like it remembers how to stand.

We still don’t know what this is.

But we’ve stopped calling it a “creature.”

Hit the button.

We might be too late. 👇