09/14/2011 – RADIO – WCPN – Around Noon
09/19/2011 – RADIO – WKSU – Tech-and-art junkies flock to audio-only video game maze
09/12/2012 – Radio – WCPN – Around Noon (around 22:40)
The Azimuth Cave
The Azimuth Cave was a single seat, user controlled, light-proof, sound-proof, 5.1 surround sound hendecagonal prism (11 sided room) designed for interactive experiences. Premiering at the 2011 Ingenuity Festival, the Azimuth Cave ran the interactive audio experience/game Treasure of the Wumpus. This installation was inspired by the theme and mechanic of the original 1973 Hunt the Wumpus by Gregory Yob.
Ingenuity 2011
Ingenuity 2012
Treasure of the Wumpus
In days long past (the 1970s), the Wumpus, a terrible creature lived in a cavernous lair of narrow corridors, forgotten chambers, pits of slime (that waited to claim explorers), monstrous bats (which could carry explorers randomly through the lair), and the terrible Wumpus, who slumbered in the darkness and meant instant death.
Many came to hunt the Wumpus, mindful of the visual cues which indicated safety from peril. However, the Wumpus escaped and hid his treasure throughout a land of infinite darkness. To protect his treasure he set traps of spring loaded platforms to propel explorers randomly in the darkness and land mines to blow them to kingdom come. It is said that those with nerves of steel and a keen ear might navigate this land of darkness, collect the treasure, and emerge into the light with the Treasure of the Wumpus!
From smart phones to the Internet, so much of today’s society focuses on the visual and our response to it. While advances in audio technology have made surround sound ubiquitous in TV, movies, and video games it is often relegated to a supporting role – creating a texture and context while taking a second seat to the visuals.
The Treasure of the Wumpus is a game without visuals. Players are placed in a light proof enclosed pod (The Azimuth Cave), given a navigational controller, and are asked to navigate the land of darkness to collect treasure and avoid traps simply by using the surround sound aural cues. Trapped in a maze without walls, players must move slowly, and listen carefully as our aural memory is not as sharp as our visual.
For the audience watching from outside there are two displays. One shows the map and the players location, while other shows an infrared view of the player’s face from inside the Azimuth Cave affording the audience a taste of their reactions.
In The Media
09/14/2011 – RADIO – WCPN – Around Noon
09/19/2011 – RADIO – WKSU – Tech-and-art junkies flock to audio-only video game maze
09/12/2012 – Radio – WCPN – Around Noon (around 22:40)
Plans
5.1 Surround Sound Stereo – Ideal Speaker Placement
Circle inscribed by 11 sided shape
Base Platforms. Raised 4’x8′ sections with a 4’x4′ center.
Walls created from 10 – 3′ slab doors with 1 – 3′ hung slab door.
Ceiling in 6 sections mounted to a central beam.
Photos
Fans Speak!
Outside of the booth I placed a comment box.
Here are some of the reactions:
Credits
Return to Wumpus Cave – designed and Programmed by Jared Bendis
Treasure of the Wumpus – designed and Programmed by Jared Bendis
The Azimuth Cave
Designed by Jared Bendis (with the generous help of Bob Rose and Ed Blatnik)
Built by Jared Bendis and Bob Rose
The Azimuth Cave was made possible by the generous support of:
Inspired by the 1973 Hunt the Wumpus game by Gregory Yob
Return to Wumpus Cave
The Wumpus is Back!
Return to Wumpus Cave was an interactive experience of skill and strategy by Jared Bendis. It premiered at the inauguration of the Cleveland Institute of Art’s new president Kathryn Heidemann and then run at the 2022 Ingenuity Festival and the 2022 Case Western Reserve University Homecoming Blue Bash party. A mobile version is in the works.
The Return to Wumpus Cave was made possible by the generous support of: