Sleepers are humanoid machines with the digital consciousness of a living person. They were created by Essen-Arp to exploit a loophole in the intergalactic laws prohibiting sentient AI, for the purpose of labor. Essen-Arp encoded their organs to rely on a code that interacts with their emulated mind, which slowly deteriorates, requiring constant maintenance.
Sleepers are created via a host accepting an agreement with Essen-Arp. They are then put into cryo-sleep and their mind is copied into a Sleeper body, at which point the body is a fully sentient version of its predecessor. The process of emulating a mind leaves behind many of the memories of their host. Sleepers commonly experience their host's memories when they are dreaming.
Operators[edit]
The Sleeper is the main character within Citizen Sleeper and also the character which the player plays as throughout the stories and their Questlines. When a player begins the game, however, they must chose from one of the three Operator classes available; these classes affect the initial point distribution afforded to skills for the player.
- Note: These descriptions are lifted directly from 'The Art of Citizen Sleeper' by Gareth Damian Martin, and Guillaume Singelin.
Machinest[edit]
A Machinist repairs and modifies automated systems used in industrial resource extraction. Sleepers assigned to Machinest work are usually diligent, careful, and structured people.[1]
Machinists are tinkerers, diligently keeping AI controlled tech and drones working in the field. While under Essen-Arp this means endless, exhausting repairs, an escaped extractor has the skills to modify the world around them, even modify themselves.[2]
Operator[edit]
An Operator works with drones and high-precision remote machines to perform complex tasks from a distance. Sleepers assigned to Operator work are usually cerebral and precise people.[1]
The Operator is the Sleeper who is closest to the digital world of emulated minds and AI protocols. In Citizen Sleeper I wanted this to feel like an almost paranormal space, as opposed to just a digital network, and so operators are the game's mediums, in touch with the "other world" of data and ghosts. This also means a frailer body, and less focus on their physical survival.[2]
Extractor[edit]
Extractors work on resource, often in hard vacuum environments. Sleepers assigned to Extractor work are often confident, self-sufficent and have a high level of endurance.[1]
Extractors are the Sleepers who, in particular, spend a lot of time alone in dangerous places.[2]