# Overboard!

> 2021 video game

**Wikidata**: [Q107089412](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q107089412)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Overboard!_(2021_video_game))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/overboard

## Summary
Overboard! is a 2021 interactive fiction video game developed by Inkle Studios, released on June 2, 2021. Players take on the role of Veronica Villensey, a character who must cover up a murder committed on an ocean liner. The game is available on multiple platforms including iOS, Windows, and macOS.

## Key Facts
- Release date: June 2, 2021
- Developer: Inkle Studios (founded 2011, based in Cambridge, UK)
- Genre: Interactive fiction
- Platforms: iOS, Windows, macOS
- Main character: Veronica Villensey (player character and protagonist)
- Game mode: Single-player
- Age rating: ESRB Teen (Language, Use of Alcohol, Suggestive Themes, Simulated Gambling, Mild Violence)
- App Store age rating: 12+ (Infrequent/Mild content warnings)
- Maximum/Minimum players: 1
- Distribution: Digital download via Steam, Nintendo eShop, GOG, and other platforms
- Awards: Apple Design Award for Delight and Fun (2022), IGF Excellence in Design and Narrative nominations (2022)

## FAQs
### Q: What type of game is Overboard!?
A: Overboard! is an interactive fiction game where players make choices to navigate a murder mystery aboard an ocean liner, with the goal of covering up the crime.

### Q: On which platforms can I play Overboard!?
A: Overboard! is available on iOS devices, Windows PC, and macOS computers, with digital distribution through platforms like Steam, Nintendo eShop, and GOG.

### Q: Who developed Overboard! and when was it released?
A: Overboard! was developed by Inkle Studios, a UK-based video game company founded in 2011, and released on June 2, 2021.

## Why It Matters
Overboard! represents a significant contribution to the interactive fiction genre by combining traditional narrative storytelling with modern game design principles. Developed by Inkle Studios, known for their narrative-driven games, Overboard! offers players meaningful choices that affect the story's outcome, creating a personalized experience with each playthrough. The game's unique premise—covering up a murder on an ocean liner—provides a fresh take on the murder mystery genre by putting players in the morally ambiguous role of the perpetrator rather than the detective. Its recognition through multiple award nominations and wins, including the Apple Design Award for Delight and Fun, demonstrates its quality and innovation in game design. The game's success also highlights the continued relevance and evolution of text-based interactive storytelling in an era dominated by graphically intensive games.

## Notable For
- Award-winning narrative design: Won Apple Design Award for Delight and Fun in 2022
- IGF nominations: Nominated for Excellence in Design and Excellence in Narrative at the 2022 Independent Games Festival Awards
- Unique moral premise: Players must cover up a murder rather than solve one, offering a fresh perspective on the mystery genre
- Cross-platform availability: Released simultaneously on mobile (iOS) and desktop (Windows/macOS) platforms
- Critical acclaim: Achieved high review scores including 88/100 on OpenCritic and 92% critics recommend rating

## Body
### Development and Release
Overboard! was developed by Inkle Studios, a Cambridge-based video game company founded in November 2011. The game was released on June 2, 2021, following the studio's established pattern of creating narrative-focused interactive experiences. Inkle Studios has built a reputation for innovative storytelling in games, with Overboard! continuing this tradition through its unique murder mystery premise.

### Gameplay and Mechanics
The game is classified as interactive fiction, placing heavy emphasis on narrative choices and player agency. Players control Veronica Villensey, who serves as both the player character and protagonist. The game operates in single-player mode only, with touchscreen input support for mobile devices. The narrative structure allows players to make decisions that affect the story's progression and outcome, creating multiple possible paths through the murder mystery plot.

### Technical Specifications
Overboard! runs on Microsoft Windows (released November 20, 1985), macOS (released March 24, 2001), and iOS mobile operating systems. The game is distributed digitally through multiple platforms including Steam (application ID 1546920), Nintendo eShop, and GOG. It has been verified as compatible with Steam Deck handheld gaming devices. The game requires touchscreen input on mobile devices and supports standard PC input methods on desktop platforms.

### Critical Reception and Awards
The game received positive critical reception, earning an 88/100 score on OpenCritic based on 22 critic reviews, with 92% of critics recommending the game based on 24 reviews. Overboard! was nominated for two Independent Games Festival Awards in 2022: Excellence in Design and Excellence in Narrative. The game won the Apple Design Award for Delight and Fun in 2022, recognizing its innovative approach to interactive storytelling and user experience design.

### Content and Rating
Overboard! carries an ESRB Teen rating due to content including language, use of alcohol, suggestive themes, simulated gambling, and mild violence. The iOS App Store age rating is 12+ with similar content warnings including infrequent/mild sexual content, profanity, alcohol references, and cartoon violence. The game's narrative deals with mature themes appropriate to its murder mystery premise while maintaining accessibility for teenage audiences.

### Distribution and Availability
The game is available through various digital distribution channels. On Steam, it has application ID 1546920 and is listed as "Great on Deck" for Steam Deck compatibility. The Nintendo Switch version has title ID 01000CA014CA0000 and is available through the Nintendo eShop. GOG offers the game with application ID "game/overboard" (ID 1338968778). The iOS version has App Store ID 1557505849. Multiple platform IDs exist across gaming databases including Metacritic, IGDB, and HowLongToBeat, ensuring wide discoverability across gaming communities.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.apple.com/newsroom/2022/06/apple-announces-winners-of-the-2022-apple-design-awards/)
2. Steam
3. OpenCritic
4. Nintendo eShop
5. [Golden Joystick Awards 2021: see the full list of nominees and how to vote today. 2021](https://www.gamesradar.com/golden-joystick-awards-2021-nominations)
6. [Source](https://gdconf.com/news/unpacking-and-inscryption-lead-igf-2022-nominations/)
7. [Apple Announces Apple Design Awards Finalists Ahead of WWDC 2022. 2022](https://www.macrumors.com/2022/05/31/apple-design-award-finalists-wwdc-2022/)
8. [Overboard! for Switch, PC Reviews - OpenCritic](https://opencritic.com/game/11497/overboard-)
9. [Great on Deck](https://store.steampowered.com/greatondeck)
10. [Overboard! - Adventure Corner](https://www.adventurecorner.de/game/2265/overboard)
11. Giant Bomb