Static Hour is a Bold Riff on Analogue Reporting Set in the Glorious 80s

There was a radio play that happened in 1938, on Halloween, where Orson Welles read an adapted version of H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. The broadcast largely made its way through New Jersey, and while it was genius in its 'disruptive formula' where upon Welles and the broadcaster, now CBS, would interrupt music with "Breaking News" alerts to the tune of real ones, it was also preceded with disclaimers and notes that it was, in fact, all just theatrics. Not everyone heard those disclaimers, though, and NJ and broader parts of the US went into a panic, much of which was fuelled by newspapers, misleading headlines and even more misinformation.

Commonly referred to as "The Day the Earth Panicked" (there's a great telemovie from the 70s titled "The Night America Panicked" if you can track it down detailing the event), Welles' 'incident' continues to live on as both an anecdotal example of the power of media, as well as a slice of creative genius. That the formula hasn't been copied more intricately is actually a bit mind blowing.

Now, however, a solo dev might have inadvertently tapped into this creative gold mine and has chosen an era befitting the concept that is entirely at odds with the modern world, in the best possible way.

Have a gander first, then stick around for more details -- all of the official kind, mind.

Barkbyte Interactive's spin on the above is more directed though, and comes in the form of being a solo reporter in the newsroom on the "graveyard shift". Something is happening in the small town from which you work and a lot of information is coming in thick, fast and unsubstantiated. Leaning on your own journalism skills, you'll need to parse through the info coming your way while navigating an entirely analogue newsroom, where no internet connection exists and all data is in handwritten or typed form. Rummage through co-worker desks, scroll through rolodexs, take calls and dial on an old rotary phone to determine both the facts and what to actually report on. 

Fact, fiction or genuine panic stations are in your hands.

Other elements of play we've been made aware of include:

• Pure audio investigation, meaning loads of writing and performances designed to have you guessing to the end.
• The town will react in real-time to your specific reporting.
• Not all information will be complete; piece together the puzzle on your own and risk being misinformative with the townsfolk.
• Of the above, you'll also need to manage that level of fear and misinformation -- keeping the masses both tuned in and calm is key.
• No AI, no internet, no digital -- just old-fashioned tactile tools. 

This is a wonderful concept we're entirely on board with and will be hopefully chatting to Barkbyte Interactive about the whole affair, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out a number of screens in our carousel below. No release date has yet been announced but given the hype quickly amassing on this one, we expect we'll know more soon.