Blocked Under Ground

Abstract

You see: nothing. The sounds of the sonar give you the information you need to navigate your submersible in the collapsed tunnel system. At times you have radio contact with the surface, then the control center provides updated information on the rescue operation. The dangerous undertaking is an extreme spatial experience. The lives of the people trapped underground depend on your skill, perception of acoustic events, handling time pressure and energy reserves.
This audio game is one of three narrative perspectives of the cross-media project Blocked Under Ground. Together with a 3D audio game and audiowalk, it forms the fictional story of a disaster in the flooded subway system of a major city. While four trapped people fight for their survival in the tunnel (radio play), rescue operations are underway on the surface (audiowalk) and a submersible penetrates the underground (audiogame).
Changes in media technology have endowed radio production with new forms of reception and 3D formats. Extended spatial concepts and genre-spanning forms of staging bring about immersion in location and action. This opens the way for the walk-in radio play of the future. Blocked Under Ground is part of Regine Elbers' artistic research at the Bauhaus University Weimar. She investigates the ways in which technical innovations influence narrative modes and apply common notions of space, time and place.

Outcome Summary

Blocked Under Ground cleverly combines the genre of 3D audio drama with the concept of an Audiowalk, which is yet to be developed, serving as a narrative bridge between the two forms. Due to heavy rainfall, a subway tunnel gets flooded, forcing passengers to seek refuge in the nearby control room. Players are placed in a modern submarine and deployed into the underwater world of the subway tunnels to locate and safely rescue the trapped individuals. They have no visual perception of the environment, neither visually nor through a smartphone; the game is purely auditory. Various interaction options tailored to audiogames allow players to navigate blindly through the dark tunnels. They receive skillful auditory feedback to help them explore their surroundings and determine the positions of the trapped individuals. Additionally, players have access to various tools such as sonar or a blasting tool to overcome obstacles and unlock new areas.

Blocked Under Ground not only simulates the constraints and challenges faced in a mini-submarine but also directs players’ attention to a purely auditory experience. In a world heavily dominated by visual stimuli, the game emphasizes the power of hearing.

As players traverse the gloomy tunnels, they must keep their senses sharp and pay attention to even the faintest sound. Every clang, every echo could be a crucial clue to help them reach their goal or avoid dangers. The combination of challenging gameplay, gripping narrative, and innovative audio technology makes Blocked Under Ground an unforgettable experience for those willing to embark on the adventure.

Overall, Blocked Under Ground offers a unique opportunity to further develop the medium of audiogames and explore the boundaries of what is possible. It impressively demonstrates how skillful use of sound and technology can create an immersive and captivating gaming experience that transports players to an entirely new world - a world waiting to be discovered.