Wow! I'm honestly amazed by your commitment. Really impressive!
Thank you SO MUCH for spending so much time, diving into my little story :P
I really didn’t expect anyone to care this much if I'm totally honest. It truly means the world to me. <3
[SPOILERS]
- You are right! Marcus discovered shady data payments involving LoopCore and went into rehab to dig deeper, but he was silenced during his second session.
- The lottery ticket is one of the most important clues.
The date on it (13/11/2030) is also the same as Bob’s daughter’s birthday. Which is mentioned casually in passing. (Both Ray and Bob reference that date). It also happens to be the same day Marcus died five years later, which is listed in the case summary.
- There’s a subtle hint in the dialogue when you're asked, “Do these numbers mean something to you? Maybe a date for someone special?” That’s meant to nudge the player toward making the connection. Ray denies having family, so that helps us eliminate him. If the ticket was found near the machine on the day Marcus died, and the date connects directly to Bob, it suggests Bob was present despite denying it. (Ray and Elias both say Bob was there too)
- LoopCore had been selling patient data to shady businesses. Bob was the only person with full access to that sensitive information. So he had both the motive (to protect the scheme) and the means (data control and access to the system). The company clearly had something to hide. Marcus was getting too close. (Since we are in the loop as well, we know that you can gain more information inside of it, which is what Marcus is doing)
- The bank-teller Clara and her connection to Marcus is mostly a red herring at first (but she’s still important). Marcus says that he robbed the bank and for personal reasons (payback for what Clara has done to him, Maybe a breakup or maybe she stole money for him? Cheated on him? The story doesn't tell you what happened, but apparently it's enough to make Marcus Rob a bank...)
- She also helps us build Marcus’s motivation (as a whistleblower) and her "call log" being deleted hints that someone was trying to erase her connection to him. This raises the question: what is the company hiding and who would want to erase evidence? The only logical answer is Bob
- As for the ending. You are totally right to be confused. The message about completing rehab suggests that you're inside the machine, reliving the case as part of your own rehabilitation. Maybe the real-world case never got solved. Maybe you were framed? or you're trying to clear your own name who knows? It's left intentionally open-ended for interpretation. That's also the reason why you are able to influence on the tapes, even tho they are pre-recorded. Making new changes and repeating the loop, until you escape. :D
- It's just some breathing room for the player to make some theories, maybe you are BOB!? >:D
And for your info. I actually had two more articles planned, but unfortunately I didn't have enough time :/
You have a really great eye! Even catching that I didn't have enough time to tell the story!
Well done! I'm really amazed! :D
Tell me if things are still unclear, I'm not sure if I made you more confused or not :P