•

First Contact Protocol

$39.99 USD
$39.99 USD
Sale Sold out

An adventure-puzzle game with branching choices, cinematic cutscenes, and a crew fighting to survive aboard a damaged starship.

A deep-space collision. A spreading contamination. A crew with conflicting goals. As you explore the ship and try to repair it, every choice you make matters. Some decisions combine in unexpected ways, leading to different outcomes.

  • Non-linear story shaped by your actions
  • A detailed ship with critical systems and hidden areas
  • Illustrated 8-bit cutscenes by a comic book artist
  • Crew members with their own roles, motives, and personal stakes
  • Premium Cartridge
  • Instruction Manual
  • Chromatic Charm featuring game-specific character
  • Genre: Adventure, Puzzle
  • Platform: Chromatic
  • Developer: Ben Jelter
  • Players: Single player
  • Play Time: 2+ Hours
  • Replayability: Medium
  • Supported Languages: English
  • Compatible With: Chromatic, Game Boy®, Game Boy Color®
  • Target Age: Teen – Ages 13+
First Contact Protocol Manual
View full details
Product Image
First Contact Protocol

About the Developer

Bio

Name / Studio Name

Ben Jelter

Location

Vermont, USA

How It Started

I’ve been trying to make games for most of my adult life, but programming always felt like a major barrier. Things changed when I discovered GB Studio – it gave me the freedom to create games without needing deep programming knowledge, and that opened the door to more serious development.

Other Games / Projects

The Machine, Unearthed, Metamorphosis Collection, and a few smaller titles.

Fun Fact

I usually start by sketching out a lot of the game on paper. Eventually I realized games are just too complex to track that way – so now I do all my notes and planning in digital tools with infinite canvases. It helps keep everything organized without running out of space!

The Idea

Why I Made This Game

I wanted to tell a grounded sci-fi story on a more intimate scale – something smaller, more character-focused.

What Makes This Game Special

It’s the first game I’ve made using GB Studio 4, and the improvements to the engine were exciting to work with. Compared to my earlier projects, I was able to do a lot more visually, and it was fun pushing those boundaries.

You'll Love This If...

You're a fan of sci-fi, a puzzle lover, or a player who enjoys games with strong character motivations and interpersonal dynamics.

Inspiration / Influences

There are definitely parts that echo Metal Gear, especially in the stealth and movement design. The visual style is loosely inspired by the original Alien – grimy, grounded sci-fi with atmosphere.

Favorite Feature

Without giving too much away, the game includes some creative and surprising ways to get from point A to point B. Those mechanics keep things unexpected and playful.

rip divider
4.9
Rated 4.9 out of 5 stars
Based on 76 reviews
76 reviews
  • James H.
    Verified Buyer
    21 seconds ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    5-star branching-pathways game

    Ive played some excellent indie, homebrew and AAA games, but nothing quite compares to a Ben Jelter joint. A perfect blend of scifi, satire, branching pathway mechanics and (for the GB) stunnings visuals/art design. An exceptional follow up to Jelter's previous gems, The Machine and Metamorphosis.

    Was this helpful?
  • Jeremy A.
    Verified Buyer
    6 hours ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    New and unique

    This is a fun game with a good story. Bravo!

    Was this helpful?
  • Brian L.
    Verified Buyer
    2 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Unique game

    Very unique and fun puzzle game

    Was this helpful?
  • Maya S.
    Verified Buyer
    4 days ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Awesome game

    Took a minute to understand how to play but once I did I had a blast playing it

    Was this helpful?
  • Greg F.
    Verified Buyer
    1 week ago
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Excellent & Challenging Adventure

    This is a great puzzle platformer than eases you into the difficulty. Great story and fun narrative.

    Was this helpful?
Show More