Switchboard

Switchboard is a story-driven game set in 1952 in Empire Grand, a rural town still dealing with the aftermath of the Second War. You work as a telephone exchange operator, connecting calls, learning the directory and earning money to help your family immigrate. As the mysterious Windser Army Base springs to life, your loved ones face prejudice, paranoia and whispers of grassroots rebellion. The private conversations passing through your desk hold secrets that others may pay to obtain.

Work the exchange

Use a tactile switchboard interface to receive and route calls from around town. Illustrated directories and documents help you find your way, while your overbearing boss expects quick, precise work. The gameplay is easy to learn but difficult to master.

As calls pass through the exchange, you can listen in and uncover small stories within everyday conversations. As the larger mystery develops, your information becomes valuable to several interested parties, who are willing to pay for it.

Shape the story

Your decisions and performance affect your characters’ fates. You must decide whether to stay loyal to your ideals or come to understand the cost of desperation. The main storyline is fully voice-acted and unfolds as an audio drama, with a cast of developed characters to meet and hear.

New tools and duties

As the story progresses, you discover new mechanics and forms of gameplay. You can divert, transcribe and record conversations, while taking on a growing list of responsibilities. The game also features a large catalogue of conversations, original music and illustrated directories in a retro 1950s style, alongside tools and objectives from mysterious allies.