World Meta

Motivation and goals

The Void Between has a romanticism I don't see much in science fiction, forgoing the sterile, more modern aesthetic that sci-fi tends to have. Ships have more than just metal corridors and grated floors. The crew lives here. They decorate it accordingly, painting the decks and walls with art on their long journeys. This is the foundation of a ship's culture.
The Void Between is where I want to try out some experimental approaches to my world-building. Articles are more interactive, allowing for readers to directly speak with the narrator given the proper phrases, and some articles will feature recordings. Story lines and events are planned to be hidden, either by requiring the search bar, or behind passwords, trigger words, and special commands.
Like anyone, I'd love to somehow reach a level of success. I'd love to make a living off of a serialized podcast as it reveals the story and world, but that may not be realistic. In reality, it's all in good fun. I have little experience in science fiction and I'm enjoying the challenge. Furthermore, I don't see many people toying with audio in this way, even on World Anvil, and I find the medium to be full of potential in world-building and storytelling.

Themes and Reader Expirience

I want those who experience The Void Between to feel what many characters in the stories feel. There is wonder, but also dread. The universe is a scary place. It can make one feel small, but it's beautiful too. Couple this with the fact that humanity is at the bottom of the totem pole, and the experience grows. These characters are human, and that alone is a handicap in this galaxy.
Humanity makes small strides, but they are stepping stones compared to the miles some species take in a single step. Our technology is bound by our science, for the most part, but other species can possess technology we can't even fathom. Human technology is often low tech disguised as high tech. Humanity doesn't have much going for it. This, coupled with the ever-present mystery of Earth's destruction, gives the setting a darker tone. The characters aren't important, and are forced to find their own way in a universe indifferent to their existence. They are not making a name for themselves, nor are they seeking respect from other species. They are simply there.
This makes every hurdle a major struggle. The slightest problem is an uphill battle, but it isn't about the cosmic horror of reality. With how difficult things are, the smallest accomplishments are twice as rewarding. This is a world about getting by. There is hope, it's merely hidden. It appears in the only way it can, given such a horrible scenario. Humanity in The Void Between is the equivalent of an entire species living from paycheck to paycheck. It's all about getting by.

Inspirations and Design

Art

The art direction of The Void Between is meant to symbolize the themes. The universe is dark, yet beautiful. The color scheme used is deliberately chosen to be more calming and reassuring. The Art of Grandfailure on Adobe Stock is featured quite a bit. I love the aesthetic, and it blows my mind how they always have an image that fits what I need.

Sci-Fi

Video games like No Man's Sky, Mass Effect, and Destiny are all inspirational to the setting. The Expanse and Dune have their moments as well. Even Titan A.E. (Does anyone even remember that? Have fun rewatching! ) had an impact while developing this world.

Music

Soundtracks from No Nan's Sky, and several other inspirations behind the setting, are perfect for this setting, and I listen to them often when writing and outlining. As said before, Bring Me The Horizon's "In The Dark" is what I would choose for a theme song to the setting. I'm a dork, and while driving I often ponder what a trailer would look like with a particular song in the background. In this case, it's the reverse. This song is literally where the setting came from.

The Podcast

Now that I have material to work with, I can turn this clay to bricks. I'd love to hear your feedback on this, as well. The Void Between will be an episodic story, every "season" focusing on a specific character, or set of characters. These stories will be highlighted by The Archivist, adapting the world building articles into scripts to provide context to the world, along with his hint of sass. The first set of stories will follow The Archivist and Caydie Meridith Kines, whom some of you might be familiar with by now.

I'm excited to see where it goes. My wife loves Caydie as a character, and every recording is getting better over time. As a little announcement, the first episode is planned to release on the 31st to end this HORRIBLE year with a suitable bang. Is anyone out there as excited as we are?