I'M YOUR HOST: Unearthing Stories in Lost Audio

Calligram Studio is developing I'M YOUR HOST, an audio deduction game where players use a custom operating system to piece together lost podcast episodes. This project, now in its second year of development, follows the studio's previous success with Phoenix Springs. The core gameplay involves uncovering a hidden narrative embedded within discarded audio files, field recordings, and other deleted content.

The game's narrative explores themes of paranoia and technological coercion, with editing and manipulation serving as central plot devices. Jigmé Özer, co-founder of Calligram Studio, highlights the immersive power of audio, noting how it conveys significant information about speakers and their environment, crucial for a deduction game. The visual design embraces a retro-futurism aesthetic, drawing inspiration from early computer interfaces and video editing software like Winamp and Avid.

Özer views video games as the next evolution in storytelling, moving beyond oral traditions and written media. He is particularly interested in exploring the medium's potential for manipulating the perception of time. The development team, consisting of three members, aims for a manageable scope, with the game expected to be ready in a few months. Calligram Studio is published by Calligram Studio and will be available on PC, Mac, and Linux.