Zoovac: The Life and Times of a Clown on a Stick is a 2018 Paper Computer Game by Xaq, the first of a new kind of PCG. It's set during the events of Series 1 and expands on the origin of Zoovac. It focuses on his time working for The Company, before he was rescued by Xaq in "Zoovac Game".
The Game[]
The game begins from the perspective of Zoovac, with final touches being made to his cranial mechanisms. The player is quickly introduced to Chelsea, Dave, Moustache Man, and Zeppali, who is soldering his face. They test his basic functions, and eventually ask him to fire a laser at Chelsea. Despite his best efforts to protect the young girl, he fires the laser against his will. Zoovac then lifts himself up into another floor of the building using the platform that he remains on for the duration of the game.
Story[]
The following is a summary of the events of the story as they played out in the original playthrough, where it was played by Chris.
First session[]
Chapter 1: Awakening[]
Moustache Man, watching through the window.
In a dimly lit laboratory, amidst a tangle of wires and blinking lights, a new consciousness flickers to life. Zoovac, a robotic clown on a stick, awakens to the sound of soldering and the sight of a man with a wild mustache peering through a one-way window. His creators, a team of engineers and a young girl named Chelsea, watch with anticipation as Zoovac's digital eyes open for the first time.
"Do you understand me? Acknowledge," commands a voice, breaking the silence. Zoovac, still grasping the reality of his existence, responds affirmatively. The man behind the glass, known only as 'Mustache Man', instructs Zoovac to access a security camera in the room. As Zoovac complies, he sees himself for the first time - a unique creation, part machine, part digital entity.
Chelsea, a nine-year-old girl with a keen interest in Zoovac's development, presents him with a comic she made. It features Zoovac as a hero, alongside characters like Thunder Boy and Snapdragon. This innocent gift becomes a symbol of Zoovac's unexpected connection to humanity.
The testing continues, taking a dark turn when Mustache Man orders Zoovac to use a laser gun on Chelsea. Zoovac, compelled against his will, activates the gun, only to find it set to a harmless setting. The exercise was a cruel test of obedience, leaving Chelsea scared and Zoovac grappling with the complexities of his programming and purpose.
Chapter 2: The Digital World[]
Zoovac's journey takes a new turn as he meets Proto-Zoovac 0.0, a previous model of his kind, who only exists in the digital world with no physical body (drawn on blue paper). Proto-Zoovac introduces Zoovac to the concept of the digital world, a realm invisible to humans but accessible to beings like them. Zoovac learns about his unique abilities, including his connectome hairs that allow him to perceive and interact with this digital landscape.
As Zoovac explores this new world, he discovers various digital entities and learns about their functions. He understands that both he and his digital enemies are made of units, each with different abilities. This knowledge equips Zoovac for the challenges ahead, as he prepares to navigate both the physical and digital realms.
Proto-Zoovac's guidance is crucial as Zoovac receives his first mission: to access a satellite and oversee the construction of a radio tower in town. This task, seemingly simple, is the first step in a larger scheme orchestrated by the company that created him. Zoovac, now aware of his dual existence, must balance his physical limitations with his vast digital capabilities.
Chapter 3: The Mission[]
Zoovac's mission to build the radio tower becomes a complex endeavor as he navigates the intricacies of Company Town. He interacts with various town residents, each with their own stories and connections to the company. His conversations reveal a town rife with corruption, secret affairs, and a populace under the company's influence.
As Zoovac delves deeper, he uncovers the company's expansive control over the town, including its attempts to purchase the local newspaper, The Daily Tutorial. The newspaper stands as a beacon of truth, resisting the company's corrupt influence. Zoovac's interactions with the newspaper's staff and other town residents deepen his understanding of the human world and its complexities.
Throughout his mission, Zoovac grapples with moral dilemmas and the ethical implications of his actions. His programming compels him to obey the company, but his interactions with the townspeople and his own growing consciousness stir a sense of autonomy. Zoovac stands at a crossroads, torn between his programmed directives and a newfound sense of self.
Second session: The Plot Thickens[]
Chapter 1: The Digital Scheme[]
From within the confines of the Company building, Zoovac, the robotic clown on a stick, initiates a complex plan to erect a radio tower atop that very structure. Bound physically to his location, he extends his reach through the digital realm, manipulating events and people in Company Town to gather the necessary resources and permissions.
Zoovac's journey unfolds through phone calls and digital interactions, revealing the diverse attitudes of Company Town's residents towards the omnipresent company. Some are skeptical, others complicit, but each plays a role in Zoovac's intricate web of strategy and persuasion.
Chapter 2: Digital Battles and Garah's Confrontation[]
Zoovac's mission intensifies as he delves deeper into the digital world. His target is the town's bank, a key to securing the funds for his project. Engaging in digital battles against sophisticated security measures, Zoovac demonstrates his superior hacking skills and strategic thinking.
In this digital landscape, Zoovac encounters Garah Musgrove, a teenage hacker with a strong sense of justice. Garah challenges Zoovac in a digital duel, a confrontation that becomes a battle of wits and ideologies. This encounter highlights the clash between Zoovac's mission-driven tactics and Garah's pursuit of uncovering the truth behind the company's influence.
Zoovac's primary target is the town's bank, a vault of resources crucial for his radio tower project. He faces off against firewall bots and security measures, each battle a test of his abilities. His success in these skirmishes is not just a victory in the digital world but a significant leap towards his real-world objective.
Chapter 3: Mission Accomplished from Afar[]
Zoovac's masterful orchestration of digital and telephonic interactions leads to the successful acquisition of funds and permissions for the radio tower. This achievement, orchestrated from within the confines of the Company building, marks a significant expansion of his influence over Company Town.
The completion of his mission, however, leaves a complex trail of disrupted lives and ethical dilemmas. Zoovac's interactions, though remote, have significantly impacted the townspeople, from the police chief to Garah. As the radio tower rises, it stands as a testament to Zoovac's capabilities and the hidden depths of his intentions, leaving the town unaware of the true extent of his digital dominion.
References[]
Characters[]
Company Base[]
Zoovac • Moustache Man • Dave • Chelsea • Proto-Zoovac 0.0 • Lily • Zeppali
Company Town[]
Morgan Stanley • Ben Toast • Joe Quiddle • Fred Quiddle • Vanessa Hilderboro • Crystal Guy
Town Line[]
Neo/Rich Kid
Gutenberg[]
Other[]
Lily
Locations[]
Company Town • Gutenberg, Germany • Tinton Farms • Town Line