- A text-based RPG where you solo explore a forgotten wireless network created in the 90s
- It looks 3D but is actually 2D, and its unique optimization method with a size of 200MB is also a hot topic.
“Radiotext,” a cyberpunk hacking RPG developed by solo developer Alp Arslan, will be officially released on Steam on September 30. Along with the game announcement, the developer also unveiled a free demo.
‘Radiotext’ is set in an old network created in the 1990s that has long since faded into oblivion. A mysterious USB left by a stranger in a quiet alley. The moment the player steps into the old network through it, a veiled story begins.
The player encounters the forgotten channel and the survivors from the perspective of a new user.
You explore the secrets behind the network by conversing with a diverse cast of characters, ranging from kind personalities to destructive tendencies and even deceased beings. Ultimately, you take on a pivotal role in tracking the activities of cyber activists who plotted an uprising against a large corporation.
A forgotten radio network accessed via a single USB, a mystery unraveled through dialogue
The player accesses old software built in the 1990s for the purpose of wireless communication. The core gameplay element is piecing together the truth behind the events hidden behind the network like a puzzle through interactions (conversations) with remaining users.
Amidst the countless characters encountered while wandering through abandoned channels, the player is constantly faced with a dilemma between trust and suspicion. Each character reaches out to the player, urging them to stand on their side, and the player’s choice in response returns as a massive butterfly effect that shakes the entire network.
Trust is always unstable. There are people who lie, others who reveal excessive information, and there is also the possibility that a spy is hiding within the network monitoring someone. The story unfolds in diverse ways depending on the conversations the player has and the choices they make.
Looks 3D but is actually 2D, unique optimization implemented in about 200MB
Another feature of the game is that the realistic environment, which looks like 3D, was actually implemented using 2D technology.
According to the developers, this design allowed them to maintain the game size and RAM/VRAM usage at around 200MB, even in a 4K resolution environment. This effectively achieved the game’s unique atmosphere while meeting lightweight system requirements.
Modding is also one of the key features. A modding guide is provided in both the demo and the full version, allowing players to use it to create their own stories, NPCs, puzzles, and more.
In addition, an asynchronous multiplayer element has been implemented that displays messages left by other players alongside messages from in-game NPCs. A social media platform reminiscent of X (formerly Twitter) is implemented within the game, and messages from other players naturally blend in while exploring the network.
The first video game from an ENNIE Award-winning developer
Developer Alp Arslan has a history of winning the Silver ENNIE Award for Best Adventure Feature for his tabletop RPG sourcebook, ‘Historica Arcanum: Serenade for the Damned’. ‘Radiotext’ is his first independent video game project.
The game captures the retro vibe of the 1990s through a retro terminal interface, typing mechanics, and sound effects reminiscent of the communication environment of that era.
Key elements include distinctive characters, each with a backstory worth exploring, and a branching storyline that changes based on dialogue. Additionally, a customizable UI allows players to directly set colors and node placement, while hidden choices that are difficult to discover during normal gameplay have been provided.
The total playtime is short, at approximately 3 to 4 hours, but it aims for a dense, self-contained story. Through multiple endings, you can see different aspects of the network depending on your choices, and even after completing the main story, the network itself remains open, allowing you to explore it freely.
The polish honed through extensive demo updates catches the eye.
Since first releasing the demo last February, the developers of ‘Radiotext’ have been improving the game’s quality through continuous updates, including the addition of new characters, asynchronous multiplayer, mod support, and participation in Steam Next Fest.
Overseas media outlets showed interest in ‘Radiotext,’ introducing it as a hacking RPG that delves into the inner workings of 1990s communication networks. The itch.io community has also seen a positive response following the release of the demo.
‘Radiotext’ is a game that combines a cyberpunk worldview with the retro theme of 1990s communication networks and adds modern systems such as asynchronous multiplayer and modding support.
With its short, dense story, dialogue-driven mystery, and diverse choices and endings, it remains to be seen how it will be received by players seeking a unique narrative indie game.
Information related to ‘Radiotext’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Alp Arslan (Solo Developer) |
| Publisher | Alp Arslan |
| Genre | Interactive fiction, hacking simulation, cyberpunk, text-based RPG |
| platform | PC (Steam) |
| personnel | Single player (including asynchronous multiplayer elements) |
| Release date | September 30, 2026 (Free demo currently available) |
| Playtime | Approximately 3~4 hours (Complete story, free exploration available afterwards) |
| Reactions/Evaluations | No official reviews available (pre-release), positive reactions from demo and international media |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
