Fight your way through cyber defenses and steal essence from the worldwide magical network in this top-down action rogue-lite.

## About This Game
Hack into the ÆtherNet, a world-wide, anonymously owned and operated, magical
networking grid to steal essence and send it back to your corporation for
research. As you collect essence, research further improvements for your
Shell, the digital presence that you use to fight off the ÆtherNet’s cyber
defenses.
## The ÆtherNet
Nobody knows where the ÆtherNet came from, or who runs it, but it serves as a
free and publicly available network with which the world can stay connected.
Some corporations’ scientists and researchers have recently discovered that
the ÆtherNet does more than just provide a communication grid, it serves a
more fantastical purpose. It turns out that the alchemists of old were right,
the classical elements can be manipulated, and even mastered, and the ÆtherNet
transmits the essence of those elements and distributes it to the world. A
study of the Pillars, massive columns that act as the networking substations
for the ÆtherNet, has recently revealed that the seasons are actually caused
by the surging of a specific element during each season. Of course, as soon as
somebody found out about this new natural resource, they wanted it for
themselves, and that’s where you come in.
## Void Corp
Of all the corporations to find out that the Pillars are wellsprings of new
natural resources, Void Corp is the lesser of many evils. Void Corp, as a
company, does research and seeks to “find solutions to the many mysteries of
the boundless void,” or at least that’s what their pretentious motto says.
Many companies now vie for the first mover’s advantage in this new industry,
and Void Corp is investing heavily in its CyberSecurity professionals and
researchers to make sure they are the prime amongst them. That’s you!
## Essence Scraping
You work as a CySec professional at Void Corp, and have volunteered for
reassignment as an “Essence Scraper,” a new position tasked with infiltrating
the ÆtherNet in a Shell, a new form of virtual presence capable of
establishing a connection on the network’s magical grid, developed by Void
Corp’s recently established ÆtherNet Engineering team. Upon connection to the
ÆtherNet, you’ll get to work fighting off its security measures and stealing
as much essence as possible. Whenever you get a moment to relax away from the
hostile security systems, take the chance to send the essence you’ve collected
back to Void Corp for further research. As you send essence back to the
research team, they will begin working on new ways to collect the essence in a
more sustainable manner, but also on new ways to improve your Shell for more
efficient survival and deeper delves into the ÆtherNet’s vast web of
connections.
## Shells and Ætheric Essence
Your Shell is your tool and your weapon. It is how you will crack through the
cyber defenses of the ÆtherNet and collect the essences that you are paid to
find. The ÆtherNet contains five different varieties of essence that Void Corp
has found so far; Fire, Water, Earth, Air, and Æther. The classical elements.
As you send essence back to Void Corp’s main repository, the research team
will find ways for you to use it to augment your Shell, making for even more
efficient essence plundering!

AEther Heist