SCP-1070

Description

SCP-1070 is an educational video game, designed for use as educational software on the Nintendo Entertainment System. It is held in a cartridge composed of black plastic and measures 13.3x12x2 centimeters. SCP-1070 lacks identifying information such as labels or manufacturers' mark. The back cover has a warning label identical to unlicensed games produced by "American Video Entertainment." The splash screen identifies the game as "Learning with Leo" with a 1989 copyright belonging to the "Real Awesome 'Tainment" label.¹

When used, SCP-1070 displays an image of a green figure, identified as "Joey," hereafter referred to as SCP-1070-B, who will ask the subject questions such as age, ethnicity, grade level, and eating habits. SCP-1070-B will respond to answers provided by the subject, using simplistic language and gestures.

When SCP-1070 is activated and used by a subject under the age of fourteen, it will function without any anomalous properties. SCP-1070-B will ask a series of mathematical, history, and basic scientific questions. SCP-1070-B will then show a score depending on how many correct answers the user gave. Of note is that SCP-1070-B will remember subjects who have used it in the past, and is able to identify them by name.

However, if a subject over the age of fourteen uses SCP-1070, a different effect will occur. As the subject advances through SCP-1070's content, SCP-1070-B will begin asking more esoteric and incomprehensible questions, often using graphical errors and obfuscating graphics to prevent the subject from progressing. During this time, subjects will experience mental degradation. If SCP-1070 is played longer than 1 hour, the subject will have reverted to the mental capacity of a prepubescent.

Subjects appear to retain memories of their life prior to using SCP-1070, although their understanding of these memories is limited. They will make frequent references to being "broken" or "empty", and if given the opportunity will attempt to utilize SCP-1070 in order to regain lost mental capacity. Testing has shown that SCP-1070 does not affect subjects after complete exposure, and will display no anomalous properties when utilized by these subjects.

SCP-1070 was recovered from a rural home in Charleston, WV, USA. It came to the Foundation's attention after a prominent local businessman, Fred ████, was affected by SCP-1070. Investigation into Mr. ████'s home showed that SCP-1070 had been purchased as a gift for his son, who suffered from Down's Syndrome. Mr. ████ and his son were placed in the care of relatives, and SCP-1070 was classified as Safe.

Addendum: The following is a transcript from video documentation of SCP-1070's effect.

At 1:35 AM EST, D-2146 activates SCP-1070. After the splash screen, SCP-1070-B suddenly appears.
SCP-1070-B: Hello there, Mel.

D-2146: (Exclamation of surprise.)

SCP-1070-B: Are you ready to play?

D-2146: I… (pause) …sure.

SCP-1070-B: What is the… CAPITOL… city of… FRANCE?

D-2146: … Paris?

SCP-1070-B: Your answer is… CORRECT.

D-2146 expresses enthusiasm.

SCP-1070-B: Can you… COUNT… to …. SEVEN?

D-2146: Uh, sure. One, two, three, four… ah… five, six…. seven!

SCP-1070-B: You are… CORRECT… AGAIN.

SCP-1070-B begins displaying graphical errors, showing an image of itself with a bright red background.

D-2146: Aah, fuck!

SCP-1070-B: It's really okay. Don't be alarmed. You only have tomorrow to fear.

D-2146: (voice drowned out by static) …at?

SCP-1070: What is tomorrow? We must face it? Yesterday was just another day. We live in the past.

D-2146 remains silent.

SCP-1070: Would we like to see you?

D-1246: (static) …en then?

SCP-1070-B: Mom will be back. Everything will be A-Okay.

D-1246: (Voice has taken a notable drop in pitch)…Mom?

SCP-1070-B We're back here. She's back.

Following this, no further vocalizations for 2 hours, and testing was terminated.