Okay! Here's the update!
Summary of what happened is as follows:
I uploaded the game and posted the download address here yesterday. Then I realized that it gave an error on startup. I believe I've fixed that error but it may show up on some systems, please let me know.
Here's the game address, please download while learning more about it as it's a 400mb download.
Windows x32: coming soon
Windows x64: https://www.dropbox.com/s/v1uo7zmitpx2v … 4.rar?dl=0
Important note: It will probably ask your permission to install a very small C++ processing file directly from Unreal. It’s safe.
Important note 2: there is no need for text to speech. Everything you need to know is narrated, and ALL the information in the game you need is audio. If you hear dog whining, that's the edge of the map signifier. However, someone requested to add keyboard equivalents of mouse clicks. Here they are: E is bark, F is sniff sonar ping at the beginning of the trail, and G is a sonar ping somewhere on the trail. The narrator will tell you to click the mouse, I haven’t updated that yet. Just remember E, F and G.
It is the full game, with visuals, so if you have sighted people in your home, get them to give their opinion too, please. If your computer can't handle it (mine is a tiny bit jumpy with visuals but the gameplay and audio is not jumpy, and it's a simple office computer, not a gaming rig) just wait a day or two and I'll release a demo without visuals.
Please think about these three questions while playing.
1. Is it fun?
2. Is it too easy, or too hard?
3. How can we get the players to care more about the dog and the rescue scenario? I need a carrot on a stick of some sort. Earning money, fame as a resource, etc? I mean I obviously want you to listen to the loved ones at the start, and connect with the missing persons that way but I need another motivation. Collect money to buy ... things? I don't really know.
Controls: arrow keys/WASD for moving. E/Left Mouse are bark, to keep the handler near you. F/Middle Mouse is to sniff, and sound off a sonar ping on the beginning of the level. G/Right Mouse is to sniff and sound off a sonar ping on the trail if you lose it. E, F and G are the main controls of the game, remember them!
Directions: everything else will be told to you in the opening tutorial speech. It's a simple game that relies on skill, NOT on colourful narrative and conversation like many audio games. The skill is being able to concentrate enough to hear the sound that represents the scent trail and being able to follow it. Another skill is to spatially locate the sonar pings when you press F and G. You will lose the trail. When you do, press either F or G and spin around until the audio is equal volume in both ears. If you press F and the audio is 100% in the left ear, it means you’ need to face to the left a bit to be facing the direction. F will sound a sonar ping at the VERY BEGINNING of the level.
Things will get in your way - everything from inclement weather to your own footsteps is going to bar your listening ability. This is a camping site, with other people so you might run into an alternate scent trail that will confuse which way to go but feel free to follow it.
If you ever get lost or feel overwhelmed, just press F for sonar ping and start over. There are no time limits here.
**This is the FIRST time anyone other than me is playing the game. There will be bugs, there will be possibly unplayable portions of the game. I'll try to fix it ASAP.**
When you complete the level by bringing the lost person back to the origin of the middle mouse/F key sonar ping, you'll be instantly transported to home after a short narrative. Then, if you walk towards the helicopter sound, you can play through the Snow level. It is incomplete and doesn't have a win portion yet but the soundscape is different and so are the mechanics. You're welcome to check it out but don't expect much. There's also a keystroke that will take you directly to the snow level but I'm not going to tell you what it is yet, I'll post it here after a few people comment on playthroughs.
I HOPE YOU HAVE FUN!