[5] The world is loosely based on that of the Mutant Chronicles role-playing game, in which many technologies are steam powered and mankind has exhausted Earth's natural resources.

Sealed away thousands of years ago by human tribes, the machine is accidentally uncovered during a large battle in Eastern Europe between two (Capitol and Bauhaus) of the four corporations that now rule the world (the other two being Mishima and Imperial).

Mitch, being the last survivor, is ultimately successful in activating the ancient device, causing the machine (which was actually part of a spacecraft) not to be destroyed but to blast off into space.

[9] In October 1997, Pressman said the film was to have a marketing plan that would involve a merchandising program for a major toy line, publishing, videogames and an animated TV series.

[11][12] In November 2005, it was announced Mutant Chronicles was finally beginning production following a decade of development hell with Simon Hunter directed from a script he co-wrote with Ross Jameson.

The site's critical consensus reads, "Bad acting, poor CGI and clunky script mean this sci-fi thriller is lacking in all departments including the thrills.