Audio game “Blocked Under Ground” as a research project of well-known educational institutions

The world of radio has changed dramatically in recent years and nowadays transcends traditional genre boundaries. One exciting development is the growing relevance of audio games for innovative storytelling. On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of radio games, renowned educational institutions have joined forces to develop an audio game. UAS Technikum Wien, TU Wien, University of Vienna and Bauhaus-Universität Weimar are working together on the project “Blocked Under Ground“, which is funded by CTS Vienna.

The aim of the research project is to develop a captivating audio game that, in combination with a 3D radio play and an audio walk, provides multi-perspective access to a unique intermedial audio drama. In Blocked Under Ground, gamers are immersed in the world of a flooded subway network to rescue trapped people. The entire plot of the game is based on acoustic signals and ambient sounds, which provide gamers with the information they need to navigate.

Goal of the audio game: Find your way in an acoustic environment and find the right path to trapped people

In this audio game, the player is given the task of entering the submerged subway network in a high-tech submersible. The challenge is to navigate the acoustic environment and find the right way to the trapped people. Every step is critical as the submersible’s energy reserves are limited and radio communication with the surface is disrupted. A gripping and dangerous race against time ensues to rescue the trapped people before the energy reserves are exhausted.

The Blocked Under Ground research project is currently in the development phase, and the audio game is expected to be released in January 2024.

More information and updates on the project are available on the official websites of the participating institutions and CTS Vienna (https://cts.wien/projects/blocked_under_ground/).

Pictured, from left to right: Lukas Kloibhofer (TU Wien), Michael Urbanek (TU Wien), Regine Elbers (Virtual, Bauhaus-Universität Weimar), Benedikt Salzbrunn (UAS Technikum Wien), Matthias Steinböck (University of Vienna) and Timothy Berens (UAS Technikum Wien).