soundStrider

Close your eyes and picture a world that you can only hear. Its lush environments are filled with orchestras of analog synthesizers that evoke colorful and imaginative images. Exploration rewards you with mysteries to solve and contemplative places to revisit for meditation, studying, or sleep.

This is soundStrider—part exploration game, psychedelic walking simulator, four-dimensional ambient music generator, and relaxation tool.

Features

• Procedurally generated soundscapes
• Binaural modeling (headphones strongly recommended)
• Adventure mode with spatial compass and persistent quests
• Free roam mode for a more laid-back experience
• Bookmarks system for sharing and revisiting favorite locations
• Full screen reader and keyboard accessibility
• Entrancing open-eye visuals

Demo limitations

The demo is limited to four palettes of sounds: beach, classic, elemental, and storm. Its adventure mode is limited to repeatable expedition quests. Progress and bookmarks saved in the demo are not compatible with the full version.

Purchasing the full game removes these restrictions and supports the future development of soundStrider.

How to play

soundStrider is an auditory exploration game and relaxation tool designed for playing closed-eyed. Explore and appreciate its environments at your own pace.

Each new world is born from a seed. It can be any word or phrase you select, or simply allow the game to randomly generate one for you. Every seed is full of limitless possibilities by determining the arrangement and qualities of every sound you hear.

Starting a new Adventure provides a more structured experience for folks who desire an objective. Occasionally it will spawn exploration quests for you to complete. With its spatial compass system, you should have no problems arriving at your next destination.

Finally, its convenient Bookmarks system provides an easy way to revisit and share your favorite locations with friends. Beware that any bookmarks saved in the demo are incompatible with the full version.

Controls

Keyboard users can use W A S D for movement, Q E for orientation, and R to toggle Auto Move. Gamepad users can press Y to toggle Auto Move. Mouse and touch are currently only supported throughout its menus. 

Full controls reference

Action	Keyboard	Gamepad
Forward	W Up Arrow	Either analog stick D-Pad Up
Backward	S Down Arrow	Either analog stick D-Pad Down
Strafe Left	A	Primary analog stick D-Pad Left
Strafe Right	D	Primary analog stick D-Pad Right
Turn Left	Q Left Arrow	Secondary analog stick Left Bumper
Turn Right	E Right Arrow	Secondary analog stick Right Bumper
Confirm	Enter Space	A
Back	Escape Backspace	B
Auto Move	R	Y Press either analog stick

Roadmap

soundStrider is currently under active development and, as of March 2020, will be released in stages over the next several months:

Date	Release
April	Alpha point releases
May	Beta point releases and price increase
June	Gold release

Development blog

Please follow development at the shiftBacktick blog. Posts include code tutorials and thoughts on accessibility, game design, and sound design. Select announcements may be cross-posted below. Also check out the shiftBacktick SoundCloud for exclusive previews of new sounds and features.