Introduction
Hearing experiences from foreign cultures, deviations from scientific principles, phenomena from outside our planet, and events of conventional explanations of nature: they are the natural unknown; it’s where we begin our quest to uncover the mystery and all while recognizing the possibility of how we ourselves are being watched by unseen forces. Inspired by the success of the ultimately abandoned Signal Simulator, a new horror game entitled Voices of the Void” is currently being developed by a dedicated—albeit tight-knit—team. The project is the first major project for the developer known as EternityDev whose previous experience lies in a collection of small games. Making its debut on the Itch.io platform on August 4, 2022, “Voices of the Void” is poised to be the most complex and well-received title in the developer’s portfolio.
Gameplay
Voices of the Void centers on a gameplay in which players assume the role of meticulous researchers tasked with scanning the vast expanses of outer space. Their goal is to identify, track, and capture anomalous transmissions originating from many celestial bodies, including planets, moons, and even potentially dangerous unknown objects. The process does not only involve initial detection. However, it is also the subsequent download and careful analysis of the mysterious signals.
Although the game’s current aesthetic bears a certain resemblance to Valve’s Source, the rendering of Voices of the Void is actually built on the more modern and powerful Unreal Engine. It is a temporary design choice and is intended to be refined before the final release. However, there is a certain undeniable appeal in the homage. While gaining a loyal following within the gaming community, Source transcends its technical limitations and embodies a nostalgic aesthetic. Players who remember the Source era well may find some entertainment in encountering classic “ragdoll” physics and hilariously simulating the player’s character twitching while colliding with obstacles at high speed.
Historically, horror genre games have had limited appeal. Many of the games suffer from premature revelations of the central mystery, a mistake that removes potential suspense and scares. Cautiously, the fear instilled early on is quickly replaced by frustration; it’s because the source of the horror was revealed prematurely. However, Voices of the Void presents a refreshingly different experience. It covers a veil of ambiguity. Therefore, important details are shrouded in obscurity. The intentional opacity is beneficial to the game.
Unveiling the Mystery
The early stages of Voices of the Void unfold in a seemingly unremarkable manner. As time goes by in the game, the atmosphere of tension is designed to continue to increase. Players are faced with a series of events, encounters with entities, and unexplained phenomena, all presented in a fragmented and incomplete manner. The calculated approach breeds a sense of unease. The player character exists under suspicion and gnawing at being observed, sensed by an invisible entity beyond the limits of sight. Although the game acknowledges the presence of evil forces, their true nature and motivations remain shrouded in secrecy.
Having witnessed the captivating gameplay firsthand through the experiences of top creators such as The Librarian, Spazmatic Banana, and Vargskelethor Joel, the mysterious nature of Voices of the Void has instilled an irresistible urge to dig deeper and explore the mystery; it culminates in an effort to share experiences with others. At first glance, the core gameplay seems obvious. Players assume the role of researchers stationed in a central hub equipped with four different terminals; each has an important function in signal processing efforts.
The initial stage involves searching for anomalous transmissions originating from the depths of space. The task is facilitated by the rightmost terminal located adjacent to the main computer. By activating the “Left Shift” button, the player initiates the scanning protocol. The protocol manifests as a visual indicator on the screen; it guides players towards the nearest signal source. The proximity of the signal is indicated by the size of the displayed arrow. The arrow gets smaller indicating the signal is getting closer. Once the signal is identified, the player confirms the choice by pressing the “Enter” key. After securing the lock on the target signal, the player’s attention shifts to the terminal directly opposite the coordinate terminal. The terminal houses polarity and frequency filters, instrumental in decoding intercepted signals.
The signal decoding process requires careful adjustments to the frequency and polarity settings. Players achieve this by holding down the “E” key while manipulating the respective knobs with the mouse wheel. Optimizing the settings may require looping through various channel polarities to find the correct configuration and unlock hidden secrets in the transmission. In particular, optimal settings can vary significantly between different signals. Therefore, it demands a level of adaptability from players. Additionally, the availability of the unlockable scroll wheel upgrade could prove beneficial. It simplifies the process of adjusting the frequency range, a factor considering the potential disparity between different signal spectrums.
After achieving optimal signal reception (evidenced by the detector and download meter reaching 100%), the player begins the transfer process by activating the yellow button. The act of transmitting the captured signal to the next terminal placed immediately to the right within the central hub. The terminal (tends to be designated as an observation terminal), serves as a platform for initial analysis of newly acquired signals. Unfortunately, space transmission is limited and has always been characterized by a reliance on spectrum protocols; it makes raw data somewhat indistinguishable from static data. While players may detect subtle anomalies amidst the noise, a comprehensive understanding remains elusive at this point.
To facilitate further inspection, the player inserts a special storage drive into the observation terminal. The action starts the process of exporting the captured signal to the drive. Once complete, the player carefully moves the drive to the processing terminal. Here, the drive is inserted once again; signals are imported for analysis. The process requires a patient waiting period until the analysis is complete. Once complete, the processed signal is exported back to the storage drive. Then, the player returns to the observation terminal, equipped with enhanced data, and begins an updated listening session, seeking to understand any insights revealed by the processing stage.
Playing the Game
After successfully capturing and processing the first anomalous signal, a wave of accomplishment washed over the player. The achievement marks the culmination of focused and meticulous effort. However, the player’s work is far from over. Captured data must be carefully packaged and submitted to fulfill the player’s daily tasks. The early stages of the game present significant challenges. The equipment the players had proved to be underpowered and slow. The constraints hamper research efficiency. Luckily, there is a solution. Through a series of improvements considered and applied to the central computer terminal, players can increase the operational capabilities of the terminal in particular responsible for its processing power. It is important to remember how the upgrades require a financial investment from the player.
After realizing the player’s equipment repairs were at his own expense, Dr. Bao was always wary of showing a lack of gratitude. In fact, he took a more demanding stance—expecting a commensurate increase in the quality and quantity of player submissions. He refers to players with the disparaging nickname “freeloaders,” unaware of the personal resources players have invested to achieve optimal results. Dr. Requirements Bao is more than just a captured signal quota. He also demanded the completion of a comprehensive report, particularly relating to satellite hash codes. The tasks cannot be completed solely within the confines of a central hub. At predetermined intervals, venturing outside the station becomes a necessity. Although sun exposure offers the benefit of increasing vitamin D production, moderation is important.
The surrounding complex is surrounded by a network of twenty-four strategically placed satellites. The satellites require consistent maintenance and performance monitoring to ensure optimal functionality. Each satellite has a dedicated console and server unit, both seamlessly integrated with a central hub root server. The console interface offers a comprehensive set of tools for managing satellite networks. The tools include the ability to initiate remote pings, perform calibration, and maintain real-time tracking of all twenty-four satellites. However, fulfilling the daily reporting requirements of Dr. Bao needed a more practical approach.
To generate the required satellite hash code, the player must physically travel to a designated satellite within the complex. Once at the location, players will interact with the satellite console and execute a special command namely “sv.hash.” The command triggers the creation of a unique hash code, an important piece of data for Dr. Bao. The retrieved hash code must be recorded on the specified report template paper form. The recording process ensures the accuracy and traceability of data. After these steps, the completed report template is securely affixed to the outside of the box containing the requested data drive, using reliable adhesive tape. It ensures that reports and related data remain accessible for further processing. The final step in the daily routine is venturing into the designated garage area. From the location, the player initiates a communication protocol to request delivery service. It ensures fast and safe transport of the complete package, containing the attached data drive and satellite report.
Starting a ping test on a specific server and establishing an offline service connection in a player’s personal environment requires the use of the console command interface. The exact command sequence involves targeting the desired satellite first using the prompt “SV Target” followed by the designated server name. Despite being much more laborious, alternative approaches involving consulting physical maps are typically used by less experienced personnel. Important tip: if the player chooses to use the map, it is highly recommended that the player move it to the diametrically opposite side of the facility. The reasons behind the recommendations are clear when taking action.
A server that has transitioned to an offline state can be restored to functionality through completion of a math minigame. The minigames are designed to assess the player’s basic mathematical competency and present minimal challenge to the focused individual. An alternative method for restarting an offline server involves the use of specially designed purple disks. It is highly anticipated how the skill of the player makes the use of the purple disc completely unnecessary. The initial stages of assigning players to the central hub are characterized by measured speed. Although the task of collecting anomalous signals may initially seem somewhat monotonous, a sense of anticipation underlines the player’s efforts. The prospect of uncovering new and potentially innovative information is always a source of intrigue. Additionally, players dedicate a portion of their time to exploring the surrounding environment—an effort yielding valuable insight into the facility’s layout and function.
An unexpected discovery during one of the exploration ventures adds a layer of intrigue to the player’s developing understanding of the facility. Players discover a previously undisclosed basement area, hidden behind a series of boarded up panels. With a sense of cautious optimism, players remove obstacles and grant access to previously hidden rooms. Dungeons yield many valuable resources, including additional supplies that may prove to be instrumental in the player’s future endeavors. Among the unearthed supplies were weathered notebooks, the worn pages potentially holding valuable secrets or forgotten knowledge. A sense of historical significance permeates the discovery. Beside the notebook, players find an employee plaque—the tarnished surface hints at a forgotten story. The plaque is a tangible relic of the facility’s past; it sparks curiosity and encourages players to dig deeper into the mysterious history of the hidden locations.
Most of the player’s initial duties revolve around maintaining the facility’s server network. It requires resolving server malfunctions through repairs and generating comprehensive reports detailing the operational status. In addition, the fulfillment of daily tasks requires the collection of certain drive data; it ensures timely completion of set objectives. A strategic approach to equipment upgrades is recommended. It is wise to hold off on increasing processing power until appropriate improvements are applied to other critical components. As previously mentioned, Dr. Bao adapts his demands to the player’s current abilities. While the appeal of accelerated signal processing and the potential to uncover more complex data cannot be denied, attempting to fulfill orders with inadequate infrastructure can be frustrating. The limitations of a player’s current equipment will be apparent, as the hamster wheel fails to meet the demands placed on him.
Data drive storage serves a valuable purpose. It is advisable to keep it until absolute certainty regarding the specific requirements of the task the player is given has been established. Daily tasks reset at exactly midnight, with complete goal randomization and appropriate changes to data drives requested. Even though the player has the required data drive, a missed deadline requires the collection process to be completely restarted. It includes traveling to satellites to obtain the necessary hash codes, a time-consuming endeavor. A cautionary tale: specifically, players should emphasize the importance of adhering to deadlines. Financial compensation is provided for completed deliveries. However, a reprimanding email from Dr. Bao waits for them to send the data drive or the report is wrong. It requires new efforts in data collection and satellite exploration.
Facility grounds exploration presents valuable opportunities during the period between assignments. It is an activity as important as the ongoing analysis of anomalous signals retrieved from the depths of space. The surrounding environment (including seemingly innocuous trees) may hold secrets as deep as those found in the vast expanses of the cosmos. The player’s exploration efforts may result in various discoveries. Examples include a strange depression in the ground, apparently fixed to the theft of a nearby generator, and a strange mound of earth hiding scrap metal shards. The unearthed objects contribute to the unfolding narrative and mystery surrounds the facility.
The rain of hamburgers seems endless. In reality, it was not a kind act. There is no magical satiating effect associated with food in the air. Any attempt to consume the spectral burger will leave the player in despair and starvation, forced to watch the burger disappear before the player’s eyes. However, facility officials were not completely unsympathetic to the players’ plight. In recognition of the player’s humanity, they might give a delicious vegetarian omelet and a data drive, as a reminder of the player’s value. It is important to be careful of any food found in the facility’s refrigerator. Even seemingly untouched MREs (Meal, Ready to Eat) are not immune to the incessant cockroach attacks. The voracious creatures are indiscriminate in their diet.
Lastly, the decision not to sleep will ultimately lead to vision problems or sleep deprivation; it is characterized by a shaky camera effect around the 20% mark. Additionally, the player’s ability to run may be impaired and peripheral vision anomalies may appear. While initial concerns about sleep deprivation may arise, don’t be afraid. The benevolent presence ensures how sleep eventually takes over the player. Currently, the game does not require adherence to a comprehensive self-care program. Given the isolated nature of a player’s duties, concerns regarding hygiene are irrelevant. Limited human interaction precludes social pressure regarding personal appearance.
Additionally, the facility relies on a regular coffee-based supplement program. Therefore, it eliminates the need for conventional water consumption. Current game mechanics do not include a sanity meter. Thus, mental well-being appears to be structurally sound in the future. The initial stages of gameplay progress at a deliberate pace. A sense of routine may emerge as players dedicate themselves to collecting credits, a task some may find monotonous. However, it’s important to remember the inherent nature of a performer’s job—it is a job, after all. Although the signal analysis aspect offers a gateway to interesting discoveries, limitations imposed by the player’s basic equipment initially limit the scope of the player’s initial findings. Fortunately, the game’s mechanics allow players to save potentially interesting signals for later processing and are a testament to the developers’ foresight.
In contrast to titles perhaps considered mechanically bland, Voices of the Void appears to utilize deliberate pacing early in the game as an intentional design choice. Effectively, the introductory sequence creates an atmosphere of unsettling isolation. The sturdy basic structure (without unnecessary decoration) reinforces the sense of silent emptiness. Strategically placed mannequins and human remains serve as direct foreshadowing of the unsettling nature of the player’s surroundings. As players get used to the new environment and establish a work routine, a sense of familiarity begins to develop. Situational awareness may decrease as the player adjusts to the surrounding environment, resulting in a temporary loss of awareness of inherent eeriness. It is during this period of perceived normalcy that the game provides a subtle but unsettling reminder—things are not as simple as they first seem.
Previously harmless dolls began to appear in ever-increasing numbers, their blank stares a constant source of unease. The exact mechanisms governing its multiplication remain unclear, whether limited by the total number spread across the facility or driven by unseen forces. Whatever the cause, their constant presence serves as a reminder of the unsettling nature of the player’s environment. Although not outwardly hostile, the spectral figures undoubtedly contributed to an atmosphere of widespread unease. At first, their presence was just unsettling. As the player’s time in the facility goes by, it becomes increasingly annoying and annoying.
Narrative and Themes
The most effective method to prevent unwanted apparitions is to burn them. The developers encourage experimentation in it, and suggest an api-based approach as a potential solution. The appearance of the spectral figures marks a turning point in the narrative. The gameplay experience gets weirder as time goes on. Players will have the opportunity to meet a diverse cast of characters, inhabitants of an enigmatic satellite array. Actively, the surrounding environment participates in shaping the player’s experience. Certain events are directly related to interception player signals. To maximize a player’s gaming experience, it is important to strike a balance between external exploration and signal analysis, especially considering the random nature of signals and their varying degrees of rarity.
The source of the signals is unusual. While initially thought to be a humorous conceit, its existence is proven to be a verifiable reality. The cryptic nature of Voices of the Void is a deliberate choice. The game’s core design philosophy relies on the concept of shrouded mystery. However, the core concept is truly captivating because it explores unknown things beyond our reach. The act of picking up a signal, processing it, and listening intently (while gazing out the window into the vast expanse of the cosmos) evokes a unique and powerful emotional response. Despite the limitations of human perception, there is something out there wanting our attention—a message waiting to be deciphered by those willing to listen.
The act of gazing into the infinite expanse of space evokes a sense of deep contemplation. We cannot help but reflect on the vastness of the unknown and the potential for hidden messages or entities hidden beyond our current level of perception. Is there something out there countering our observations? Is there a transmission coming from a distant world, wishing to be deciphered? The inherent limitations of the human condition limit our ability to answer these questions definitively. Perhaps the closest analogy to the experience is the act of peering down from a height into a body of water. Although it appears calm on the surface, its depths may hide many secrets—objects lost over time or even the remains of past tragedies.
For example, the practice of fishing with magnets involves retrieving discarded objects from the depths of rivers and lakes. Although the items found at first seem unremarkable, they can reveal unsettling truths. The discovery of sunken vehicles or the remains of missing people underscores the disturbing reality of how hidden dangers can be if they are in plain sight. As we gaze upon the celestial panorama, unsettling curiosity may arise. Could it be that an entity is observing us from the depths of space, yearning for recognition, just as the secrets of the deep yearn to be uncovered? The existential questions become constant companions as the player dedicates himself to the analysis of anomalous signals. The large amount of time spent at work provides ample opportunity for introspection. “Ariral” is enigmatic, its identity will be revealed in time, representing another aspect of a widespread mystery.
As philosophical musings unfold, more pragmatic questions take precedence. The identity of the player’s employer and the ultimate goal of the covert operation remain secret. Does the data collection process target a particular signal, or is information captured deemed valuable by scientists yet to be seen? The difference between Dr. Bao is very detailed and the seemingly nonchalant approach of other scientists further adds to the player’s suspicions. The financial burden of acquiring equipment upgrades adds a layer of intrigue. The presence of human remains scattered throughout the facility adds to the unsettling atmosphere. Have any scientists entered the field, or are the players and their predecessors merely expendable pawns in an ongoing operation?
Endgame
The exact existence of the end remains elusive. Although the game does not have a canon ending in the iteration, the discovery and processing of certain signals can cause the conclusion to fail. Until the momentous event occurs, the player will be cursed with the Sisyphean task of signal processing and carrying out daily tasks. The appeal of “Sandbox mode” invites them to yearn for a different path. Successfully completing thirty-one days in story mode will unlock an alternative gameplay experience. Although it requires a restart, it also presents a unique opportunity to utilize the player’s acquired knowledge and past experiences. The mode lets players embark on a quest for scientific supremacy, or at least a concerted effort to surpass the performance of previous players.
Conclusion
The previously remote concrete complex was transformed into a haven of scientific exploration, thanks to an extensive catalog of decorative and functional props. Gone are the days of takeaway food and oppressive silence—proper cleaning equipment and the best entertainment systems are now available. With one simple command, the player’s basic equipment is upgraded to state-of-the-art technology, without incurring financial penalties. An endless revenue stream eliminates the burden of manual server maintenance, allowing players to dedicate their full attention to fulfilling Dr. Bao is getting more complex. However, a moral dilemma arises. The choice to ignore Dr. Bao completely and accelerates the entire data processing operation by itself. The potential for autonomy and liberation from his controlling influence is tempting.
The narrative of Voices of the Void goes beyond the boundaries of a mere employee-employer relationship. Through the player’s dedicated efforts, the player transitions from a cog in the machine to a confident independent contractor. The new autonomy paves the way for the achievement of bolder goals: establishing the player himself as a preeminent authority in the specialized field. The ultimate goal is not just to meet the player’s scientific superiors’ expectations, but to actually exceed those expectations. The player’s ambition forces the player to carve out his own player position in the secret program and strengthen the player’s position as an important contributor. The development team behind the game deserves the highest praise for its unwavering dedication. The game reflects the spirit of the growing indie game development community, and their active participation underscores the commitment. There was a palpable sense of mutual enjoyment in the development process, and people were eagerly awaiting the direction they would take the game after its final release.
Bibliography
