Daiyonkyokai (The Fourth Boundary), a collective of Japanese developers dedicated to creating experimental alternate reality games like the Silent Hill Historical Society website, has released its latest title, Yuukai Shoumei Shashin (unofficial translation: ID Photo of Abduction). Playable for free via web browser (it only supports Japanese as of now), the game encourages you to go out and take ID photos in specific booths located across Japan.
Yuukai Shoumei Shashin follows Tsumugi Tachibana, a college girl with a knack for getting caught in all sorts of supernatural phenomena. After moving out of her haunted apartment and running out of money, she decides it is time to find herself a part-time job. Things take a turn for the strange, however, when she goes to take a photo for her resume and finds herself trapped inside a photo booth.
While you can experience the game on PC, it looks as though using your smartphone is the way to go. Gameplay involves talking to Tsumugi via a messaging app interface to solve the mystery of her abduction. Special commands such as “send me a selfie” will also prompt her to respond with photos.
Tsumugi won’t be the only one putting in the work, though. Available at various Ki-Re-I brand photo booths across Japan are exclusive passport photo designs that progress the story. Each photo session costs 880 JPY (roughly $6 USD) and includes a short story snippet. Based on impressions of those who have played the game, it looks as though there are multiple endings to experience, which depend on your interactions with Tsumugi.
Yuukai Shoumei Shashin is available for free via web browser.
