Enhance Computer: Browser game wants to turn you into a Blade Runner

Remember the scene in Ridley Scott’s classic Blade Runner, where possible Replicant and full-time Replicant hunter Rick Deckard plonked himself down with some booze and a CRT monitor, and solved crime by repeatedly yelling “ENHANCE” in a gruff voice? 

It’s proven to be one of the most enduring visuals from the 2019-set neo-noir, and it turns out that we didn’t even have to wait that long, as now, in 2018, there’s a browser-based game, Enhance.Computer, that will let you also yell and shout at your computer to find a secret code lurking in an image.

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There’s no mouse input, and instead this works by giving Google Chrome − there’s no support for Firefox yet, sadly − permission to listen to your mic, before using voice commands to move the picture around, zoom in and enhancing.

Having played it in the office (while listening to newshound Jon Porter quietly beg his browser to Enhance an image), it’s a lot of fun. The concept is basic, but does let you experience a certain type of nostalgic magic and distract yourself for a moment.

The game is the work of Nicole He, a programmer and artist based in Brooklyn, New York, which focuses on using voice technology in new and interesting ways. Her previous work has included physical curiosities like Unfamiliar Cat Petting Simulator and Mystery Animal, found on her website.

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It also appears that demand for the game has made the website fall over, so perhaps bookmark this one for later, and go back in a few hours when the early adopters are all Blade Runner-ed out.

Are you tempted to yell “ENHANCE!” and “ZOOM IN!” at a browser tab? Let us know how you get on via Twitter, at @TrustedReviews.