Krystof checking in! How’s the demo treating you? Found some leads on that disappearance yet?
In case you missed it, we finally dropped the first-ever Radiolight demo last Thursday! The demo follows Ethan at the start of his descent into Ashwood Creek National Park, serving as the perfect first taste of what’s to come.
With this huge milestone behind me, I want to take a moment to thank everyone who left a review on the demo page so far! Reading your feedback, learning what you liked and didn’t like is so refreshing, and will be instrumental in shaping the game in the future.
As some of you might now, Steam Next Fest starts today and reviews are the easiest way for you to support the game by getting it in front of as many people as possible. So, if you haven’t yet, feel free to leave a review! I’ve been reading all of them and it’s been a joy.
Can’t wait for Next Fest to start and to play a bunch of cool demos!
Lace up your hiking boots & don’t forget to pack a few back-up batteries. It’s time for your first-ever late-night stroll through Ashwood Creek National Park.
The Radiolight Demo is now live!
In this demo, I’m giving you a first taste of the supernatural thriller I’ve been crafting – you’ll get to step into the shoes of Ethan and explore a mysterious forest while searching for a park ranger named Harvey. All you’ll have is a map, a flashlight, a walkie-talkie with your friend Robert on the other end, and an FM radio that’s been picking up strange signals.
Are you ready to take your first steps into the world of Radiolight?
I’ve been thinking about this game for 7 years now, and reflecting on how far I’ve come is incredible. With Radiolight, I get to bring together everything I’m passionate about: a gripping investigative story, eerie 80s nostalgia, and a touch of the unsettling. Finally giving you a chance to play is truly electrifying and I can’t wait to hear your thoughts and theories.
The demo is out now and you can play it through all of Steam Next Fest! If you get the chance to try it out, please consider leaving a review on the demo page. It's the easiest way to help small games get more visibility on Steam!
🎶 "The future of home video entertainment is here! Next Thursday, February 20th, prepare for a chilling journey with Radiolight!" 🎶
[Sound of a radio tuning in, followed by eerie silence] "In the quiet town of Ashwood Creek, 1985, a child has vanished, and the truth lies in the shadows. Follow a local cop in this as he ventures into the dark woods, lured by mysterious radio signals that echo through the night."
[Sound of a heartbeat and distant whispers]
"Can you survive the horrors that await? The mystery deepens with every step you take!"
[Music swells to a tense climax]
🎵 "Radiolight—where every signal could lead to terror!" 🎵
"Play the demo on your Steam Home Entertainment System next Thursday! Will you dare to uncover the truth?"
You’re listening to KCKR, your community station for all things Ashwood Creek, and tonight… is Music Night!
This might be hard to believe, night owls, but even an old chatterbox like me gets tired of talking sometimes. I’ve been doing this for 20 years and there’s only so much news about the park you can handle before you need a little party to take the edge off.
Thankfully, a good song says more than a thousand words. And, lemme tell you: We live in an era with a lot of good songs. Tonight, we’ll play some of the greatest hits of the 1980s – whether you wanna belt out a power ballad or shake your tail to some New Wave, we’ve got you.
So, put on your dancing shoes as we sweep you off your feet…
(Click the image above for a link to our Spotify playlist “80s tracks to explore ashwood creek to”)
Slightly different blog, this time! Krystof here, interrupting our regularly scheduled radio program to delve into some of the media that inspired me to work on Radiolight. As a huge fan of cinema, television and, of course, video games, I’m always looking for art that resonates with me.
Radiolight, at its core, is a deeply personal creation. It’s a game where you unravel mysteries, regrets, and fears, but it is also undeniably shaped by the many works that inspired me.
First and foremost, I want to mention the surreal, haunting work of David Lynch. His ability to combine the unsettling & the serene and find terror in the ordinary was undoubtedly extraordinary – the cornerstone of Radiolight’s atmosphere. I would like to thank him for what his art has brought to the world and pay tribute to his memory.
We can’t talk about inspirations, without mentioning the game that has become the figurehead of the Walking Sim genre. Firewatch, along with its gorgeous wilderness, captivated me by telling a story through a walkie-talkie. This direct connection between Henry & Delilah felt human and immediately struck me as a way to build characters even if they’re not currently present on screen.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d02lhvvVSy8
True Detective stands tall as another influence. Rust and Marty’s on-screen presence and dialogue were otherworldly, bringing immense contrast to the ongoing investigation.
These are the most direct influences, but there are other echoes of inspiration. Some of them are subconscious:
Stephen King’s stories come to mind, with their small-town horror.
Stranger Things with its unforgettable recreation of the 80s atmosphere.
John Carpenter’s terrifying synth soundtracks.
Even the Pacific Northwest itself, the setting of Radiolight, with its misty forests and isolated towns could be mentioned as an influence, drawing comparisons to Twin Peaks and Alan Wake.
It’s also been fascinating to hear what Radiolight reminds others of! Some have mentioned Oxenfree, Silent Hill and even games by Chilla's Art.
Radiolight is a game shaped by my experiences and vision. It’s a chilling investigative experience, with all of these inspirations sprinkled throughout. I hope you’ll love it. I have something exciting to announce soon, so keep your eyes peeled!
I can’t lie, night owls: I’ve put on a little bit of weight over the holidays. And I imagine some of you have too. Well, I can’t think of a better motivator than our beautiful national park!
Today on KCKR, your community station for all things Ashwood Creek, we’ll talk about some of the park’s landmarks that you can explore on your New Years Resolution hikes!
The Visitor Center
Whether you’ve hit the trails a thousand times or you’re just visiting the area as a little start-of-the-year treat, you should at least pass by the Visitor Center. It’s the best way to learn about closed trails and weather conditions, get in touch with any of our park rangers, or go for a final, comfortable bathroom trip before you fully, uh, immerse yourself in nature...
And don’t forget to pick up a map on your way out!
Granite Ridge
From the Visitor Center, you can move on to one of the park’s most stunning hiking areas: Granite Ridge. Saunter along the Granite Trailhead as you can feel the terrain slowly getting hillier & rockier. Get some rest & relaxation at one of our picturesque picnic spots before you trek down the ridge’s mighty rock faces while the nearby creek whispers to-…
Sorry, I got a little poetic there. What I’m trying to say is: Hike the Granite Trail. It’s really worth it.
The Ranger Cabin
Finally, I’ll let you in on a little insider info. Have you ever seen those little cabins strewn across the park? Those are for our Park Rangers! Whenever they need to rest for a bit or warm up in the colder months to do some work, they can just pop inside a cabin and light a fire – there’s even a bed!
So if you’re ever in an emergency, or just looking for a park ranger to help you out: the cabin is your best bet.
Listeners, there’s a lot of other stunning & interesting landmarks in Ashwood Creek National Park, but I’ll leave you with these for now. You can discover the depths of Misty Lake & the stunning vistas on Sentinel Lookout by grabbing a map from the Visitor Center and just going on a little adventure.
I love the holiday season, night owls. The food, the decoration, the smiles on people’s faces – once late December rolls around you can just feel the cheer.
This is KCRK, your community station for all things Ashwood Creek, and today we’ve got a full playlist of my favorite holiday songs – some are cheery, some are melancholic, but they’re all about that time at the end of the year when we all come together to celebrate.
But let’s not dwell on this too long and get right in. Here’s a classic for you, listeners…
Krystof, solo dev behind Radiolight, speaking. I’ll have to interrupt our favorite broadcast for a bit here. As we near the end of 2024, I want to have a moment to thank you all for your support throughout this year.
It was a big year for Radiolight! After years of working on the game behind the scenes, I found a publisher and officially announced Radiolight – with a Steam page and everything. Your reactions to the announcement were overwhelming in the most positive way imagineable. All your comments and wishlists made me more motivated than ever to work on this game and I can’t wait to see what 2025 brings. I’ll have some exciting things to share next year and I think you’ll be as psyched about it as I am.
Until then, I want to wish you all Happy Holidays and a Happy New Year! See you in 2025, Krystof
Night owls! I know we all like to spend our Sunday afternoons at the mall, but how ‘bout we don’t forget about that stunning park that’s right on our front porch, huh?
That’s right, everybody. This is KCRK, your community station for all things Ashwood Creek, and today we’re talking about hiking in our beautiful national park.
As someone who’s deeply familiar with the trails of Ashwood, I can tell you: Hiking is for everybody! But you can’t just saunter out in your tennis shoes and hope for the best. Let me break down what you’ll need to make it back from Granite Ridge and its surroundings safe & dry.
1. A Map of Ashwood Creek National Park
Ashwood Creek is big and, no matter how much of your childhood you spent fishing & running around in the park, it’s better to be safe than sorry. The park map is a handy visual aide that can help you navigate the stunning landmarks of the park and lead you to safety whenever you need it. Especially handy when going off-trail.
2. Light Up The Night
Listeners, we all know you shouldn’t be in Ashwood Creek National Park after dark – but we also know that we’ve all done it. If you do decide to venture out after sundown, please make sure to bring a flashlight. You’ll never know what obstacles and critters you’ll come across in the pitch black. Trust me, you want to be prepared when you choose to stay the night and witness the incredible sunrises we get here.
3. Emergency Broadcasts Are Your Friends
Trust me, this is not just self-promotion. I already know I’m your favourite radio host. But the trophy for Second Most Important Radio Broadcast in Ashwood Creek must go to the Ashwood Creek Emergency Station. So don't forget to pack an AM/FM radio! It’s the best way to stay up-to-date with any news from our steadfast crew of Park Rangers.
4. Stay In Touch
This one is for the thrillseekers out there. If you’re planning on rafting, bouldering, or going off-trail in general, it’s important to stay in contact with the outside world. We already have a search party out there and we’d be happy to keep that number as low as possible. If you’re scared of getting lost or injured, bring a Walkie Talkie!
And if you take those precautions and wear a firm pair of boots, you should be good. Think I missed something? Dial the station phone and tell me about your hike essentials. We’ll be taking calls after some smooth jazz, right here on KCRK Ashwood Creek.
Hello, night owls! You’re listening to KCRK - your community station for all things Ashwood Creek!
The air is crisp and cold tonight here in Ashwood Creek National Park, so I hope you’re all tucked into your coziest sleeping bags, inside one of our log cabins.
Now, I’ve got a story for you that’s a little… strange. You might want to turn up the volume on this one, because what we’ve got to share is more than just a bit of local news. It’s a story that’s unfolding right here.
You might’ve seen the poster of Elliot Laire - the young kid who’s gone missing right here in our beautiful park. While search efforts are still ongoing, we’ve just gotten reports that our very own park ranger Harvey has also been reported missing! But do not worry - Ashwood Creek’s police chief Robert has sent one of his best men into the park!
Now, we’re used to the usual quiet and serenity of our park, right? But for Ashwood Creek PD officer Ethan, that peace has been replaced with some downright eerie occurrences. Word around town is he’s been hearing things out there—shadows where they shouldn’t be, and some strange static coming through his radio. And no, it’s not just the usual tunes you’re used to hearing. It’s... different. Like someone—or something—might be listening in.
We don’t have all the details yet, but from what we’ve been hearing, things are getting pretty intense.
So, Ashwood Creek, here’s the question: What’s lurking out there, beyond the mist and the trees? Could it be something much darker than we ever imagined? Maybe my imagination is just drifting off into the night.
But hey, if you’re out there listening tonight, just make sure your radio’s tuned in properly... You never know what might be out there, waiting to send you a signal.
Stay safe, and keep your eyes on the trees, folks. We’ll be here, keeping watch. You’re listening to KCRK!
Radiolight: Welcome to Ashwood Creek National Park
Hello hikers,
Looking for your perfect destination for your next escape into the sprawling wilderness? Ashwood Creek National Park awaits! Watch our brand-new promotional video below!
[TRAILER LINK] In Radiolight, you assume the role of Ethan, a police officer in the town of Ashwood Creek. You are drawn into your own past after a local teenager goes missing under mysterious circumstances.
Set in 1985, this first-person narrative thriller, made by a solo dev, twists through foggy valleys and towering pines where secrets lie hidden beneath a seemingly tranquil surface. Guided by strange interferences in the radio signal, you delve deeper and deeper into the park. Navigating ghostly echoes of the past and uncovering the darkness that lies beneath Ashwood Creek.
A Message from Krystof Knesl
Solo developer of Radiolight:
Radiolight began as a vision back in 2018 but I’ve always loved film and storytelling. I grew up wanting to be a movie director, but I found my true passion in the immersive world of video games. Radiolight is my debut title, developed over four years.
My goal was to craft an intense, memorable experience that combines my favorite storytelling elements into a mind-bending narrative with gameplay that resonates deeply with players.
Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing some insights into the game and my dev process, so keep your eyes peeled for some blogs and updates.
I can’t wait to take you all on this journey down the winding trails of Ashwood Creek and the dark past of the police officer trying to uncover its mysteries.
