Academic Pursuits (As Opposed to Regular Pursuits)

About

Academic Pursuits (As Opposed to Regular Pursuits) is a narrative-driven adventure where you spend 40 hours unpacking four boxes in an empty office. Each cardboard container holds more than paperwork, hidden within are personal secrets, professional scandals, and a centuries-old rivalry that feels oddly urgent. You click through items to trigger dialogue, memos, and cryptic notes that slowly paint a picture of a workplace teetering between absurdity and dread. The gameplay is minimalist but deliberate, relying on dry humor and slow-burn tension to keep you clicking. What sets this apart is its ability to turn mundane tasks into darkly comedic storytelling. The game leans into the surrealism of office life, blending bureaucratic nonsense with academic intrigue. A redacted hiring letter and ominous postscript hint at deeper layers, while the lack of overt action lets the writing carry the weight. Players appreciate the clever use of tone, balancing dry wit with unsettling undertones. It’s a short experience but leaves a lingering sense that every box unpacked is a mystery half-solved.

Storyline

Dear Ms. ████████ We are delighted to offer you a position in our architecture department. After your application and interview we are confident you will really sink your teeth into this role. Your new office will be ready for you to move in next week. You are encouraged to make the space your own. P.S. I understand you are acquainted with one of our most esteemed professors. Per your request, your employment is yet to be publicly announced. I trust it will make for a heartening reunion.