From April Fools' Joke to Fan Hotline: New Blood's Voicemail Experiment Surpasses 1,000 Messages

Introduction

In an era where game studios often communicate through polished social media posts and carefully curated Discord servers, indie publisher New Blood Interactive took a refreshingly retro approach earlier this year. On April 1, the studio launched a dedicated voicemail tip line — and what many assumed was a temporary April Fools' prank has evolved into a surprising ongoing conversation with its community. Now, over a month later, New Blood has confirmed they've listened to more than 1,000 voicemails from fans, ranging from game suggestions to takeout orders.

The Tip Line's Humble Beginnings

The idea first surfaced in a promotional video posted on April 1, featuring in-character messages from various New Blood contributors. Voice actor Gianni Matragrano, known for his work as the Gloomwood Huntsman, and composer Andrew Hulshult, voicing the Amid Evil hero Champion, set the tone in a playful, old-school style. The video was clearly a labor of love, poking fun at the very idea of a voicemail hotline while simultaneously embracing it. Little did anyone know, the line would remain active long after April Fools' Day.

A Month Later: Over 1,000 Messages

On May 1, New Blood took to social media to share a recording of one fan's suggestion: that the studio should make a game where you "fight bugs" — because, as the caller noted, "it's all the rage these days." Alongside the audio clip, the team revealed they had listened to over 1,000 such messages so far, thanking fans for their "questions, kind words, food orders, and concern about the status of our refrigerator." The last remark hints at how delightfully unhinged some of the calls have been, blending genuine feedback with absurdist humor.

What Fans Are Saying

While the bug-fighting suggestion is a standout, New Blood has received a wide variety of voicemails. Some callers leave tips and ideas for upcoming projects, others share heartfelt praise for games like Dusk, Faith, Ultrakill, or Gloomwood, and many simply call to be part of the community's inside jokes. The studio seems to welcome the chaos, turning what could be a gimmick into a genuine engagement tool. Below are a few recurring themes from the messages:

• Game ideas — from specific mechanics to whole genre pitches, like the bug-fighting concept.
• Technical questions — players seeking answers about updates or early access roadmaps.
• General silliness — food orders, refrigerator status updates, and other offbeat musings.

How to Leave Your Own Message

If you want to add your voice to the pile, the line is still operational. You can call 1 (800) 352-9727 to leave a voicemail. I decided to test it myself — and yes, it works. Whether you have a serious question about Fallen Aces or just want to tell the team that their refrigerator is of utmost importance, they're listening. However, I should note that the studio may share your message publicly, so keep it (mostly) clean.

What's Next for New Blood

Beyond the voicemail fun, New Blood has a packed slate of games in development. Ultrakill, Fallen Aces, and Gloomwood are all still in early access and have undergone significant changes since launch. The recent "Fraud" layer for Ultrakill has been particularly well-received, introducing mind-bending illusion and layout tricks that exploit 3D rendering while defying real-world physics — exactly the kind of creativity fans love. Additionally, Scavengers, a $5 roguelike DLC for Blood West, is set to launch on June 3. With multiple projects simmering, the studio shows no signs of slowing down.

Conclusion

New Blood's tip line experiment is a delightful reminder that sometimes the best marketing is just talking to your audience — even if that means listening to 1,000 voicemails about nothing and everything. Whether you're a die-hard fan of their retro-inspired shooters or just curious about the bug-fighting game idea, there's something charming about a studio that takes calls like it's 1995. To leave a message, dial 1 (800) 352-9727 — and maybe ask about that refrigerator status.