In the interview, Fargo and Moore both touched on their history with working on cult-classic RPGs like Arcanum: Of Steamworks & Magick Obscura, and how games like that also helped inXile’s works to also get critical acclaim. When it comes to Clockwork Revolution, however, the duo spoke about things like figuring out how to make use of slower pacing for dramatic effect, and how player choices will matter.

“It was important for us to speak directly to core roleplaying fans and show what this game really is,” said Fargo. “We slow things down for a moment, let the conversation breathe, and show the systems at work. That scene with Alfie isn’t just dramatic, it sets the tone. This is a game that can be brutal. Not just in combat, but in the choices you make and how the world responds. It’s not just about cinematics, it’s about the kind of deep, reactive RPG we love to build, and that our players expect.”

Moore spoke about the game’s take on multi-person conversations, which can often send players down entirely new dialogue choices depending on the characters involve. Using the example of Morgan, Errol and Alfie, he explained that the player’s decision can change how things turn out.

“It also highlights our multi-person conversations,” explained Moore. “Some conversations will have multiple people involved, and who you choose to speak to can send you down different dialogue branches. This can wildly change where a conversation ends up going. In the case of the trailer, Morgan chose to speak to Errol instead of Alfie, despite obvious warnings, and that resulted in poor Errol’s death. So, if you choose to go down that path, Errol is then a character that won’t be in the rest of the game.”

“Conversations have meaningful consequences, and I think it’s worth mentioning we have truly evil conversation options,” continued Fargo, following up on Moore’s points. “You see a few of those play out in the trailer. If you’re offering evil options, they need to actually pay off and have meaningful consequences in order for the good choices to feel good. Otherwise, you’re not truly playing the way you want to play.”

Clockwork Revolution got a new trailer during Xbox Games Showcase 2025 where we got a good look at the title’s clockpunk setting and environments. The trailer also showed off the character customisation options available both over the course of gameplay, as well as through the character creator. We also got to see combat, weapon customisation, and even the multi-person conversations that Moore and Fargo spoke about.

Clockwork Revolution doesn’t yet have a release date. The game is in development for PC and Xbox Series X/S.

The trailer continued to show off the game’s clockpunk setting and its aesthetically striking environments and character designs, while also showing plenty of glimpses of what its story, its varied and eccentric cast of characters, and the setting will have in store.

Where the actual gameplay is concerned, we get to see the character creator and customization, dialogue choices, choice and consequence mechanics (which are tied to time travel shenanigans), combat, weapon customization, and more. There’s quite a lot going on, which means there’s plenty to unpack. Check out the trailer below.

A release date has still not been announced for the game. Clockwork Revolution is in development for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

Taking to Twitter, inXile Entertainment announced that Shapeshifter Games has been working with it on upcoming FPS RPG Clockwork Revolution. Both studios can trace their lineage back to Interplay Entertainment, of course, with Volition’s first games – FreeSpace and, as Parallax Software, the Descent games – having been published by Interplay.

“This one is special for us because of my long history with them, going back to the Descent and FreeSpace games,” said inXile’s studio head, Brian Fargo.

Microsoft and inXile Entertainment announced Clockwork Revolution in June last year, describing it as a “time-bending steampunk first-person RPG”. Set in the steam-powered Metropolis of Avalon, the game promises deep RPG mechanics and narrative-driven choice-and-consequence systems, among other things.

Clockwork Revolution is in development for Xbox Series X/S and PC.

The automaton cat is out of the bag. Happy to say that ex-Volition formed Shapeshifter Games has been working with us on @ClockworkGame!

“… this one is special for us because of my long history with them going back to the Descent and FreeSpace games.” –@BrianFargo

More info:… pic.twitter.com/mI54q5yGaK

— inile entertainment (@inXile) January 30, 2024

The studio announced itself on LinkedIn, describing itself as “a new co-development studio that was started by pulling together a group of experienced developers from Volition”. As spotted by Tech Raptor, Matt Madigon serves as the studio head, with Volition veterans Rob Loftus and Brian Traficante serving as studio directors of production and creative respectively.

“With a group of former colleagues from Volition, I am excited to announce the formation of Shapeshifter Games,” Madigon wrote. “Shapeshifter is a co-development partner for AAA games. Our goal is to grow and assist developers and publishers by providing a sustainable workforce model. It has been great reconnecting with former colleagues and a great opportunity to help others who have been affected by the industry.”

“We are focused on AAA game development,” Shapeshifter Games wrote. “One of the goals of the company is to create a more sustainable environment for developers to do their best work.”

The developer also says it’s “already hard at work with a top publisher on their next great IP”. According to lighting artist AJ Nelson, the project in question is an Xbox Game Studios game, though the name of the game hasn’t been mentioned.

Shapeshifter Games is currently looking to expand and recruit in a number of roles.