The Azimuth Gap is a science fiction visual novel set in outer space during a time when a space-faring humanity has long-since colonized nearby systems. It will be a mix of suspense and psychological horror that will take the player on a journey of emotion and discovery. It will be a fairly linear story with multiple endings, character customization, the ability to shape the player character's personality and relationships, and a romantic subplot.

Story Summary

In the space-faring future, there is an organization called the United Space Federation that employ what are referred to as Responders: groups of engineers and scientists sent on year-long missions to investigate reported phenomena in various quadrants of space.

The USF Dixie is in the middle of one such mission on a very routine tour, with the exception of the presence of a Corporate VIP and her android assistant. As the crew is under the assumption they are being evaluated by headquarters, everyone is on their best behavior. Other than a series of maintenance issues, the tour is going well … until the ship arrives at the next incident site and the crew find something there that they did not expect to find: an alien vessel. When all attempts to hail are met with silence and life-scans come up negative, the Captain makes the only logical choice: send in a team to investigate.

You will assume the identity of First Responder Ambrose and join your crew in investigating the alien ship, but on the very first trip over, something goes terribly wrong...

Cast of Characters

Ambrose, or Ambs to her friends, is a First Responder aboard the USF Dixie. She is an astrophysicist with a background in electrical engineering and a trained astronaut.

Elijah Harris is the Dixie's Chief of Security and a good friend of Ambs. He is kind and funny and, in times of stress or danger, the strength that keeps his loved ones above water.

Claire Harris is the Dixie's Supply Officer and Elijah's very pregnant wife. She is both sassy and sweet. Ambs is the future godmother of their child.

Maya Kendrick is a First Responder and brilliant scientist with a background in chemical engineering. She is Ambs' fiery best friend.

Finn Lauano is a mechanic and the go-to man when Ambs' and Maya's ideas aren't exactly above board. Incredibly tall and sturdily built, he is the ship's "gentle giant".

Jun Yoshiwara is the captain of the USF Dixie. Stoic and stern but fair, he has the complete trust of his crew.

Dr. Lola Whitney is a USF corporate VIP. No one knows why she is aboard the ship. Secretive and snobby, her face seems stuck in a permanent scowl, making her unapproachable.

Isaac is a top-of-the-line, custom-designed android with a unique personality construct. Even for a fully functioning replicant, he is remarkably human-looking. Isaac is Dr. Whitney's assistant, though his duties and agenda remain unknown.

There is also a 9th secret character!

Features

• the script is just over 110,000 words with a prologue, seven chapters, and an epilogue that changes depending on the player's choices
• 7 normal endings and 5 bad endings
• a romance with the android Isaac
• a character creator where the player will be able to name their character and choose from a variety of hair and skin colors to make their character their own [Note: The player character is gender-locked to female.]
• 18 CGs
• a custom soundtrack featuring over 20 unique tracks
• The Azimuth Gap will be FREE

The game is being made with Ren'py and will be released per chapter. I will release Windows and MAC versions exclusively on itch.io until it is completely finished, and then I intend to release on Steam as well. There are currently no plans for a mobile version.

WARNING: The Azimuth Gap will include optional sexual content, violence, and minor gore. Though the game has a psychological horror tag, it does not include issues of mental disorders.

If you have any questions, please contact me at frozenstargames@gmail.com or follow me on Twitter @theazimuthgap!

Credits

Story by Ashley E Wrigley

Character Sprites by Audia Pahlevi

Backgrounds by Ruan Ming Ren

Music by Ivan Mosquera

GUI by Kathaeris