Infinity stars
- Founded
- 2020-01-01 in South Africa
Infinite Stars is an independently developed, choice-driven sci-fi romance visual novel blending political thriller and space opera elements. Launched as a solo passion project by James in South Africa, it has grown into a small global team under the banner IF THEN ELSE Interactive Fiction. The game features over 250,000 words and more than 1,000 player choices, allowing deep customization of the protagonist and relationships with a diverse crew aboard the UIC Tabitha. Inspired by works like Dune, Mass Effect, and The Expanse, it explores themes of humanity and alien politics. Available on Steam and Itch.io, development is supported through Patreon. The project operates as a small indie studio with no corporate structure or iGaming involvement.
Detailed Review
History and Founding
Infinite Stars began around 2020 as a solo project by James, a developer based in South Africa. Over time, it attracted a remote team of artists, composers, and writers who collaborate globally. The project is not a registered company but operates as an independent creative effort.
Story and Gameplay
The narrative unfolds from two perspectives: the crew of the UIC Tabitha and the mysterious Mah'Abeu. Players make morally complex choices that shape the story, with deep character customization including pronouns, personality traits, and history. Between episodes, slice-of-life moments provide character development. The game also includes Holo-Reality Modules, allowing players to create and share their own story content.
Development and Monetization
Development is episodic, with new chapters released over time. The project is crowdfunded via Patreon, where patrons receive early access, exclusive content, and voting on story direction. The game is sold on Steam and Itch.io for PC, with Android builds available to Patreon supporters. The small team (fewer than 10 people) works remotely without venture capital or formal business operations.
Market Position
As a niche interactive fiction project, Infinite Stars competes in the visual novel and choice-based gaming space. It is not a gambling or iGaming entity. Its appeal lies in its narrative depth, LGBTQ+ inclusive representation, and player agency. No licensing or regulatory footprint exists.
Key Products
Infinite Stars (visual novel)
An episodic, choice-driven sci-fi romance game with over 250,000 words and 1,000+ choices, set in a future where humanity encounters an alien community.
Holo-Reality Modules
An in-game tool that allows players to create, share, and distribute custom story content, extending the game's replayability.
Infinite Stars
A choice-driven sci-fi romance visual novel available on Steam and itch.io. Features 250,000+ words, 1,000+ choices, character customisation, and player-created Holo-Reality Modules.
Key Persons
- James
Creator / Lead Developer