So I narrate the tutorial with full voice.'Īlongside a shiny new tutorial, the Steam Early Access version of SpyParty will have a total of 10 updated maps built by Hecker's partner in crime, artist John Cimino.

People learn to play, they like the game when they play. 'So I was like, I'm gonna try to emulate that. 'All the fans man the booth and they teach you to play,' Hecker says. These volunteers steer new players through the game in real-time. The tutorial is an attempt to emulate the successful formula Hecker has instituted at conventions like PAX and GDC, where he's shown off SpyParty at booths staffed by some of his most dedicated beta players. Thankfully, on Steam Early Access, the manual has been replaced by an interactive tutorial narrated by Hecker himself. Demos used to be accompanied by a printed four-page user manual outlining the game's most important intricacies. With 21 fully fleshed-out characters and 10 maps, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of avenues for the spy to be caught in each round, and just as many opportunities for them to conceal their actions, complete the mission and win the game. Certain spy moves will trigger sounds or actions at the party, while specific characters are known to behave in unique ways when they're controlled by the AI - the sniper is looking for any inconsistencies or slipups by the sole human in the room.

Meanwhile, the sniper watches everything from afar, attempting to pick out the spy and shoot them on the spot. The spy's job is to blend in with these AI characters while stealthily completing a series of tasks for their mission. The spy attends a party packed with AI characters making small talk, wandering the room, drinking, and generally behaving as fancy humans would. It's a one-on-one battle of wits and detection, where one player is a spy and the other is a sniper. SpyParty is the Turing Test in video game form.

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