Bientôt l'été

Bientôt l'été is an experimental game based on the atmosphere of the film and the novels of Marguerite Duras, most notably the novella Moderato Cantabile. Players choose a male or female avatar inside a capsule and can then walk around on a beach rendered as a virtual reality simulation, shown from a third-person perspective or optionally also first-person. While walking along the shore, phrases appear with the waves rolling in. In the environment up to 16 apparitions can be found. When standing in front of one, the eyes can be closed to view the apparition in a futuristic, hologram-like design. Afterwards, an item can be picked up left behind at the place of the apparition. When returning to the beach, the environment and the colours often change.

The second part starts when the café is entered. The avatar gets seated and looks down at a wooden game board. This parts can either be played alone with a computer-controlled player, or you can wait for another human players to arrive. Players take turns making moves on the board with a chess piece using the phrases found earlier at the beach. That way a conversation can be initiated, but only using the provided phrases. The game on the board itself has no goal and cannot be won or lost. There is also a wine glass to drink and cigarettes to smoke. Music can be played by clicking an item on the list when the eyes are closed. At any time the café can be left to return outside. There are different language options available for subtitles and general settings, but the spoken language in the game itself is always French.