The fusion of “Horror” and “automation” often appears in critical discussions concerning modern capitalism. However, it’s less common to see these concepts intertwined in video game promotional material. A horror experience rooted in automation? Typically, games involving automation aim to generate a sense of satisfaction through methodical creation. They are designed to evoke the feeling of constructing an enhanced cognitive system using colorful mechanisms, not to inspire fear.
This thought-provoking idea stems from Beyond the Doors, a game slated for release this year, which currently offers an alpha demo on Steam. Players assume the role of a solitary technician working within the dim basement of a gloomy apartment building. The character’s task involves surveilling neighbors, specifically installing listening devices outside their doors based on nightly email requests, and then forwarding recordings of their activities.
Acquiring these recordings presents a deliberate challenge, partially due to the detailed and somewhat clunky user interface. However, Beyond The Doors intentionally cultivates this sense of calculated effort. The player must connect devices, copying and pasting codes to synchronize them. Subsequently, they must select and store the file using DOS commands on a server computer before transmitting it to a desktop for analysis.
The intricacy of these tasks is heightened by a growing sense of unease. The apartment building exudes an atmosphere of neglect and decay, centered around a gaping chasm covered by a spiderweb-like glass ceiling. A sense of dread permeates every doorway and corner.
There are piles of refuse that seem to multiply in a strange manner when interacted with, potentially concealing useful items underneath. Perhaps the most unsettling aspect is the inability to directly listen to the collected recordings. While it’s unclear if this is intentional or a limitation of the demo, the game’s refusal to fully satisfy the player’s voyeuristic tendencies adds to its unsettling power.
While this was not experienced within the demo timeframe, promotional materials suggest the game escalates into more bizarre and potentially terrifying scenarios. It’s interesting to consider how this surreal intensity will interact with the typically immersive and methodical gameplay of automation-focused titles. In this instance, earnings from successful surveillance tasks can be reinvested to improve the network, merging recording chains and implementing new upgrades.
“This alpha version features the core gameplay loop: placing recording devices, creating receiver networks, obtaining sounds, and sending reports,” state the developers, Dream Error, on Steam. “Much more is planned for the future; this is just a glimpse.” A development roadmap is available for those interested. However, experiencing Beyond The Doors with minimal prior knowledge may enhance the initial playthrough.