WATCH THE FIRST DEVELOPMENT DIARY OF SCI-FI THRILLER DOWNWARD SPIRAL: HORUS STATION
Explore the analogue sound-world of the abandoned station, out soon on PS4, PC and VR formats
Finnish development studio, 3rd Eye Studios, is treating expectant players to another look inside the high-concept, sci-fi world of Downward Spiral: Horus Station. In the accompanying dev diary, 3rd Eye Studios introduce Can Uzer, the game’s sound designer, who describes the challenges and creative decisions underpinning Downward Spiral: Horus Station’s audio.
For a game ostensibly dialogue-free, sound plays a huge role in crafting atmosphere and directing narrative. Uzer talks us through the team’s desire to create an “analogue” and “utilitarian” soundscape, one that aligns the game with the canon of classic sci-fi includingSolaris, Alien, and Moon. The air pressure of hydraulic mechanisms fizz and whir while the Bolt Pistol is an industrial tool transformed into a makeshift weapon, combining the audio characteristics of both.
Downward Spiral: Horus Station is a first-person, sci-fi thriller which lures players through a lost vessel abandoned by its crew. Solving the mystery of the space station will take wits and ingenuity as you fight or avoid dangers unknown. Use the ship’s maintenance hardware – like bolt throwers, rail guns, and arc welders to take out threats, solve puzzles and find the truth of why Horus Station has been left drifting in space.
Downward Spiral: Horus Station will launch this Spring on PlayStation 4, PC with optional PlayStation VR, Oculus Touch, HTC Vive and Windows Mixed Reality support.
About 3rd Eye Studios
Located in Helsinki, Finland, 3rd Eye Studios was founded in June 2016 by a group of game industry veterans, who previously worked in senior positions at Remedy Entertainment, Unity Technologies, Bugbear Entertainment, RedLynx and Moon Studios. The team develops innovative games and groundbreaking technology built specifically for developers. The company launched its first game Downward Spiral: Prologue at the end of March 2017, with its follow-up Downward Spiral: Horus Station due in Spring 2018. http://www.3rdeyestudios.fi/
