C26 Polar Vortex

A creative, non-CFB tied program based around a mysterious snowstorm.

Polar Vortex was a program designed to try out the idea of a linear narrative structure within the CUT Ecosystem. In it, players would participate in a pseudo-snow survival game using CUT features, facing off against Aliens, Shadows, Robots, or Yetis. Text within the program was more stylistic and flavorful than most other programs, even going as far as changing the terminology for content weeks to be “waves”.

The main program loop centered around Objectives, which prompted players to complete various tasks each by week in order to prepare for, and defeat, the current Wave (wave of calamity). By completing all the tasks each week, players would unlock a Key to a boss fight challenge, a very difficult challenge headlined by a giant player on the opposing team.

In order to move on to the next week of content (including Challenges, Objectives, and even Events), players would need to complete the previous week’s content. So, players would need to move through the Waves sequentially, regardless of when they join the fight.

Each wave featured different types of Objectives with the goal of guiding the player around the various different features of CUT in order to try and guide new players coming in from the holidays around the game one step at a time.

The program also featured a collaboration with MUT and their Zero Chill program, utilizing the store to give crossover rewards in both titles.