System Schematics
"Understanding the tools at your disposal is the first step to surviving the void. Pay attention."
Propulsion Dynamics
Tug of War
Your ship is pulled by firing projectile clusters. Position them strategically to navigate space.
System Analysis
Designed Provocation
‘’It is not merely about the facts or the science”
We are sold a romantic vision of space as the "final frontier," a heroic narrative fueled by tales of discovery. This language of conquest dangerously simplifies our relationship with the cosmos, framing it not as an inhuman void to be respected, but as a territory to be claimed. It's a mindset that predisposes us to a catastrophic misunderstanding of our place in the universe.
Some questions that sound utterly ridiculous, until you give it a second thought:
- What harm can humans cause by simply interfering with this vast cosmic system?
- Can we ‘destroy’ space? (by means of ‘pollution’)
- Can we cause a disharmony in our solar system, say by interfering too much with it, which will inevitably have an influence on how safe our planet is within this system?
So here’s an analogy: think of a pool table signifying our solar system. All the balls present on the table are celestial objects. There is a specific arrangement of these, for a reason, and all can have influence on each other when an external influence causes a disruption of the initial (or ‘normal’) arrangement. Also keep in mind of course, that we keep adding more balls to the table in the form of space satellites (or colloquially called, space junk)
The recent D.A.R.T mission (Double Asteroid Redirection Test) in 2022 proved that a concept such as ‘’planetary defense’’ isn’t merely science fiction. Furthermore, this just gives weight behind the idea that our ever-increasing influence on space is something that’s to be discussed thoroughly. I would say that even before this scientific breakthrough, we already might have had more influence on the cosmic system then, than we realize now.
Us as a species emerging on the cosmic stage, feels for me more like us 'trespassing’ the cosmic territory to me. And the big question now is which one of these is more akin to reality, because it’s ultimately dependent on our knowledge and grip of the system’s nature and mechanics. In my eyes this places a burden of proof on our own very lives, which might be more dangerous than beneficial in the end.
With A( )VOID, you are isolated and given absolute freedom to explore the fringes of space. The goal is to force a confrontation with your own preconceptions, highlighting not just the unknown dangers of the void, but the profound psychological toll it takes.
Our biology proves we aren't built for the void; our survival hinges entirely on fragile, complex technology. This isn't a judgment, but an invitation for reflection. The goal isn't to provide answers, but to provoke questions through your own introspection as you play.
Through emphasizing the gutteral horror of the cosmic expanse and our far-from-perfect technological support to it, only our extreme vulnerability is illuminated and our unreadiness for such a hostile environment is further highlighted.
Perhaps even invoking the question
whether there even is a point where one can say ‘we’re prepared’.