Periphery

Synthetic

an EP by shiftBacktick

You are the Periphery Synthetic

A rhythmic chime beckons from the embryonic crater as you reboot without recollection. Regaining feeling with every clunking step–absent further leads–it promises to lift this amnesic haze through the faint clues it carries. Should you accept its request to begin revealing everything?

System requirements

Periphery Synthetic is best experienced with a gamepad and headphones.

Real-time synthesis is an extremely CPU-intensive process. It will attempt to run on any machine that meets its minimum requirements; however, you may experience stuttering or drop-outs when running below the recommended requirements.

Minimum system requirements

Recommended system requirements

Browser support

The HTML5 build of Periphery Synthetic is intended to be played in an up-to-date Chromium-based browser such as Google Chrome. Browser extensions that alter page behavior are not recommended. Other browsers must support modern JavaScript features such as Web Audio, WebGL2, and IndexedDB.

Troubleshooting guide

Periphery Synthetic has been optimized for its recommended system requirements. Please try these suggested actions when experiencing performance issues:

Controls

Periphery Synthetic supports a variety of input devices. Although remapping of controls is currently not available, alternate control schemes have been provided where appropriate.

Gamepad controls

Periphery Synthetic is best experienced with a gamepad. For best results, please use an Xbox controller. Other controllers can be configured with Steam Input or a utility like x360ce:

Instrument controls

An instrument can be played on the initial title screen, or by toggling it with the X button while in-game:

Access hotkeys

Hold the Y button and press the corresponding button to announce the item to screen readers while in-game:

Haptic feedback

Every interaction is paired with realistic controller vibrations. Vibration can be reduced or removed from the Controls screen.

Keyboard controls

The keyboard controls support play with one or both hands:

Menu hotkeys

Additional hotkeys have been provided to quickly jump to screen elements. Press numbers 1 through 0 to focus the element at that position. If the desired element is already focused, then it will be clicked.

Access hotkeys

Hold either Alt key and press the corresponding key to announce the item to screen readers while in-game:

Mouse controls

The mouse may be used for an immersive first-person experience:

Touch controls

Periphery Synthetic does not support touch input beyond its menus. A gamepad is strongly recommended for best results on mobile devices.

How to play

You pilot a versatile apparatus capable of traversing the most extreme terrain ever imagined. It comes preinstalled with a terrain scanner and very limited cargo capacity. However, you may expand its capabilities by collecting and synthesizing raw materials from the terrain. When the apparatus is fully upgraded, it can overcome any obstacle!

Beware! The rest of this section is extremely comprehensive and contains slight spoilers. If you are comfortable with exploring three-dimensional environments with first-person controls, and learning by experimentation, then you are advised to skip ahead.

Movement

In its default bipedal mode, the apparatus is an extension of your body.

Hold the Move, Turn, and Strafe controls to move freely on any surface. Its maximum speed can be toggled between running and walking states with the Turbo control.

Jumping

Tap the Move Up control to jump from the surface, or bunny hop when returning to it, in any direction. The control can also be held to perform a charged jump, which launches the apparatus at maximum speed, optionally holding Move, Strafe, or Turn in the desired direction.

When installed, the Mulligans subsystem allows the apparatus to redirect its kinetic energy while mid-air. Tap the Move Up or Move Down controls again to expend a mulligan in that direction. Beware that it has limited uses in a single direction, which recharge in the opposite direction, or when returning to the surface.

While mid-air, the Move Down control can be held to land safely from any fall. It's most useful for precise jumps and atmospheric reentry.

Wheels

When installed, the Wheels system provides the apparatus with a significant speed boost. Tap the Transform control to freely toggle between bipedal and wheeled movement modes. While the apparatus cannot jump while driving, it will go airborne when driving recklessly.

Tighter maneuvers can be performed with the Repulsors subsystem. Hold the Move Down control to temporarily stick to the ground and suspend your brakes while driving.

You may Strafe to change direction while driving and drifting with the Axes subsystem.

Gliding

Beware! Gliding capabilities are only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

When installed, the Aerodynamics system allows the apparatus to glide mid-air. Hold the Move controls to accelerate or brake. Hold the Strafe controls to brake and slowly move sideways. While gliding, the apparatus will try to maintain its altitude, losing some altitude to drag over time.

Flight

Beware! Flight capabilities are only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

When installed, the Thrusters system allows the apparatus to take flight. Hold the Move Up or Move Down controls to apply thrust in that direction. Lateral thrust can also be applied with the Gimbals subsystem. Hold the Move and Strafe controls while thrusting to apply it in the desired direction.

Similarly, the RCS system allows the apparatus to turn mid-air when installed. Hold the Turn controls to apply rotational thrust.

The apparatus will attempt to maintain safe lateral velocities during flight. However, beware that it may reach unsafe vertical velocities when exiting the atmosphere, and will accelerate to terminal velocity upon reentry.

Swimming

Beware! Swimming capabilities are only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

The apparatus will automatically begin swimming when entering liquids. It can remain buoyant on the surface, or it can navigate vertically by holding the Move Up and Move Down controls.

When installed, the Aquatics system provides greater control and capabilities while underwater. For example, the Ballasts subsystem activates automatically when traversing extreme depths. Likewise, the Spelunkers subsystem allows seamless traversal through nonlinear caves.

Portals

Beware! Travelling through portals is only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

You may occasionally enounter portals to other worlds in the Alpha Periphery system. Step inside to discover their exits—and the space between!

The Interstice

Beware! The Interstice is only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

The Interstice can only be entered when travelling through portals. It will evolve with new challenges as you progress through Periphery Syntehtic. For example, it will grow larger, with mountains and water features, based on the systems you have unlocked and levelled up.

Scanning

You may press the Scan Terrain control to gain new insights. Using the terrain scanner often is key to completing all objectives.

A sequence of sounds will play during the scan. In general, these relate to the semicircle of terrain and objects extending 200 meters ahead of the apparatus. Here is an explanation of its sounds.

Echolocation

The scanner immediately emits a loud ping.

This is your reference pitch. Use it to determine the relative altitude of other scan sounds. In general, sounds that are pitched higher than the ping are above the apparatus, whereas lower pitches are below it.

During the scan, a ray is cast from its eyeline into the direction that it's looking. If the ray intersects a solid or liquid surface, then you will hear its pitched echo after some delay. This indicates the closest interactive surface in the direction you are looking.

Destination guide

The scanner emits a pulsating sound. This points toward the nearest point of interest. A directional sound and visual cue follows the scan to assist with any necessary heading adjustments. Although this stops when there are no other necessary destiantions to complete the EP, it is still possible to discover additional destinations when they are nearby.

Terrain sonification

The scanner emits a stream of tones. These convey the shape of the closest solid or liquid surface. Significant places are highlighted with a brighter sound.

Object sonification

The scanner emits random pings. These are materials and other objects that can be collected. Objects are hidden if they are covered by terrain or their inventory slot is full.

Object tracking

The scanner will automatically track the nearest collectible object within range. When focused, a navigational sound will lead you to the object. It sounds distorted when looking away, and disengages when out of range.

Special functions

The apparatus hides its most interesting capabilities on the Functions screen. It can be accessed from the menu—or by tapping the Functions control while in-game.

Synthesis

A notification appears when you have enough materials to synthesize an upgrade for the apparatus. Use the Synthesis screen to browse your inventory and available upgrades.

Materials

Beware! Several materials are only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

You can inspect your inventory from the Materials screen. Each material slot has a maximum capacity that can be increased by upgrading the Cargo Racks subsystem. Beware that materials cannot be picked up when their slot is full.

Clicking on a material will show more information about them. This includes the destinations where it can be collected and distilled.

Some upgrades can improve material collection capabilities. When equipped, the Attractors system will automatically collect nearby materials. Similarly, the Distillery system can passively extract materials from the surrounding medium over time.

Upgrades

Beware! Several upgrades are only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

Available upgrades can be browsed from the Systems screen. Select a system to view its subsystems. Select a subsystem to view its current bonus, next upgrade cost, and modify its level. New systems become available as their required materials are discovered.

Pure synthesis

Beware! Pure synthesis techniques are only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

When installed, the Synthesizers subsystem enables a variety of advanced synthesis capabilities. Importantly, it allows the apparatus to store a variety of currencies which can be accessed from the Subatomics screen. These resources can be used to break down and combine materials from one to another from the individual material screen.

This system also allows full customization of the apparatus. Subsystems can be downgraded as desired, and most systems can be fully uninstalled when all of their subsystems have been downgraded. When doing this, the apparatus regains some of their costs based on the level of its Recyclers subsystem. It will also recoup some currency when collecting materials that are otherwise full.

The amount of materials converted through advanced synthesis can vary. When upgraded, the Quantizers subsystem introduces a small chance for interactions to critically succeed, yielding more rewards.

Destinations

You may occasionally encounter significant places of interest. These are added to the Destinations screen when scanned. Selecting a destination will transport you to it. Beware that time passes during travel.

Perceptions

You may occasionally have deeper thoughts when exploring and experimenting with the world. These are added to the Perceptions screen for later reading.

Trinkets

You may occasionally find interesting indications of the past. These are added to the Trinkets screen when collected.

Status

You may view diagnostic information for the apparatus on the Status screen. It includes a variety of details like the current location, mission time, apparatus level, and objective status.

Find a bug? This view is perfect to screenshot!

Milestones

Beware! Several milestones are only available in the full version of Periphery Synthetic.

Certain one-time achievements are worthy of permanent recognition. They appear on the Milestones screen when earned.

Your milestones can be cleared at any time from the Danger Zone screen. To clear your Steam achievements, you will need to use a tool like Steam Achievement Manager at your own risk.

Starting new seeds

You may choose to start a new seed at any time by selecting New Seed from the main menu. Starting a new seed will generate a new layout of the worlds for a fresh experience. Here's an explanation of its options:

• New Seed. This starts a new seed from the very beginning of the EP. No progress is carried over with this option.
• New Seed Plus. This carries over your existing upgrades into a new seed. You may do this unlimited times without penalty.
• New Prototype Seed. This begins a new seed on the surface of Alpha Periphery C with the apparatus at nearly max level. This mode is an homage to the earlier projects which led to the development of Periphery Synthetic.

Beware! Progress from prototype seeds is incomaptible with other seeds. The EP will remember your progress from your last non-prototype seed when starting a plus seed.

Accessibility

Periphery Synthetic is developed in accordance with WCAG (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.1 at Level AA conformance. Its menus are fully operable with a keyboard and screen readers such as NVDA. Beware that it is designed to be used in application focus mode.

Screen reader considerations

The interface is designed to work well with the default settings for NVDA version 2024.4.1. Here are some important settings to consider:

• Dynamic content updates. The interface will toast you for collected materials, new perceptions, and more. Please enable this setting to announce these important changes. It should be enabled by default.
• Attempt to cancel speech for expired focus events. Speech should be automatically canceled with keyboard inputs. However, your screen reader may keep announcing expired focus events that are triggered by gamepad inputs. Please enable this setting to improve the experience with a gamepad. It should be enabled by default.

Photosensitivity warning

The screen may produce strobing patterns when the apparatus is moving at high velocities. Please navigate to the Graphics screen to make adjustments—or toggle them off—as needed.

Support

Please direct all support requests through your preferred platform:

• shiftBacktick Discord server
• Steam store page
• itch.io store page
• Developer website

Credits

This project would not exist without your generous support and feedback.

Special thanks to the folks who have heard this concept grow since its genesis—especially my partner and the audio gaming community. You experienced firsthand how its components were designed, built, and rearranged into something greater.

The following typefaces belong to their respective owners:

• Fira Code by Nikita Prokopov
• Roboto by Google

Thanks for playing!