Level 40 is the 41st level of the Backrooms.
> Description_
Level 40, also known as "Video Rental Store," is an expansive retro video game and film rental business from the 1990s. The actual size of the level is still unclear but likely infinite, while many others declare it limited yet extensive to the point of producing the illusion of infinity. Upon entering this level, one will find themselves in a large room filled with randomly arranged shelves; each room is interconnected, establishing a sequence of chambers. Level 40's architecture is unnatural and generated arbitrarily, resulting in rooms with odd shapes, with each room connecting improperly, having rooms featuring multiple entrances or becoming dead ends. The space of a room can be shared, resulting in spacious rooms.
The rooms are entirely concrete, with varied color tones similar to mono-yellow, gray carpet on the floor and plaster ceilings or regular ceiling tiles. Ceiling lights are fluorescent lights that produce a noticeable, everpresent, and headache-inducing hum-buzz similar to Level 0's, and they will often flicker. Lighting is often misplaced and mismatched patterns, leaving some areas slightly more aphotic than the rest. Level 40 is also known for making wanderers unintelligible after over an hour. Overall, the level is nearly empty and just as dusty, hinting towards it having been abandoned and unattended for quite some time, including dust on the walls and shelves, parts of the carpet are pretty dirty, and a coating of dust covers the ground. Some areas may be clean, unlike others.
The shelves are constructed of unidentified wood and occasionally painted white or beige. They are often adjacent to the wall corner and placed in an organized way, but they may distribute arbitrarily, losing their store purpose. The stands are five feet high, or possibly the same height as the room. They can only inflict minimal harm and can be moved cautiously due to their substantial weight. Because these details obstruct room entrances, block paths, and create labyrinths inside the space, they disrupt travelers and make transit more difficult. The stands are virtually devoid of games and videos, leaving only price tags and product advertisements. Sometimes video games and movies stock sparsely on shelves. Their titles and product images indicate they are not present in The Frontrooms. Some products are low-budget knockoffs, while others are high-quality. Video games and movies can appear as VHS tapes, DVDs, compact discs, and other traditional video recording formats. It is only possible to play these video formats on the device that is present in the level. The shelves are often adjacent to the wall corner and placed in an organized way, but they may occasionally distribute arbitrarily, losing their store purpose.
Aside from fluorescent lights, advertisement boards or signs hang from the ceiling, enticing customers to buy various items or displaying posters on the wall. These signs show many phrases and usually appear in rooms where products are still on shelves. Furthermore, numerous outlets reside on the wall, although some may appear on the ceiling or floor. These outlets have strange features. For instance, some outlets charge gadgets faster, while others charge devices rapidly, slowly, or constantly. It is advised to utilize floor outlets if you ever need to charge any electronics here because those are often the ones that charge things quickly.
The mood is unsettled and isolated, especially in darkened rooms with no hum-buzz sound. There are strange noises like banging, rushing footsteps, or hitting the wall that comes from nowhere in the distance. These noises are considered enigmatic and difficult to identify. It is also a result of a phenomenon known as "Paranoia" occurring within, which can cause the environment to become eerie and unsettled, coupled with unusual noises. Level 40 escapees frequently describe physical and emotional dangers, including migraines that last for days, intense vomiting, and persistent paranoia. However, some people have also reported a shared feeling among Wanderers: an overwhelming feeling of nostalgia.
Doors are located throughout the level as those lead to another retail store. Nevertheless, Some doors can lead to an enclosed theater area with a sign or emblem indicating a movie theater. These theater rooms are small and have multiple rows of chairs in front of a big screen with a projector. The room may have various designs and dates from the 2000s or before. Its design is identical to retail stores, except for its hue. Any movie format is compatible with the projector in the back of the room.
> Video Format_
Video formats sold on shelves are susceptible to damage due to age. This results in unplayable movie and video game formats or, in particular cases, damaged video such as static video. Certain films or videos are viewable but frequently show strange substances or movies that do not represent the plot, confusing viewers.
Some videos may feature unpleasant sounds and images that might cause viewers to feel very emotional, especially if perceived as ominous or upsetting. They could feel overwhelmed and terrified by images of violence or disorder. Sound stimuli, for example, can also cause anxiety. People, especially those sensitive to sound, might be startled and scared by sudden or unexpected noises. Some people are susceptible to certain sounds, such as loud noises or music.
These reactions may be so strong that they cause paranoia, anxiety, or unreality. For instance, if someone hears a loud noise, they might think someone is harming them, with delusions or hallucinations. Do not attempt any of those Level 40 products, as there have only been three fatalities from this occurrence thus far. As a result of seeing these videotapes, a phenomenon known as paranoia tends to occur more frequently.
| Anomaly Report 1:
Wanderer Name: Gavin Watsons Movie: Monsters, Inc. (2001) Outcome: After the first appearance of a purple reptilian character, Gavin became terrified of snakes. In addition, Gavin experienced extreme anxiety and paranoia for the rest of his journey in the Backrooms. He fears that an entity would jump out of one of the walls. Gavin died five weeks later, most likely by suicide. |
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| Anomaly Report 2:
Wanderer Name: Sparks Gonzalez Movie: Willy’s Wonderland (2021) Outcome: Sparks described his intense bodily suffering after seeing a death scene. Moreover, he scratched himself, causing wounds and bruises. Due to considerable blood loss, he died three days later. |
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| Anomaly Report 3:
Wanderer Name: Jessica Huff Movie: Unknown Outcome: She frequently claims that she is not alone and that someone is following her, and saw shadow figures that vanish when she looks closer after watching the movie. It is likely that she also experienced Paranoia due to stress and mental illness after watching the film. She committed suicide a week later. |
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> Colonies and Outpost_
>> Rip-Off Movie Collective_
- An outpost consist of 18 members and will accept new members.
- Focused on collecting and watching the low budget/rip off movies and movies in general from the level.
> Thresholds_
>> Entrances_
- Entering a rental store in Level 11 will bring one here.
- Stacking 40 movie cases in The Delta Mall will teleport one here.
>> Exits_
- Noclipping through the walls might lead one to Level 39, although it is very rare.
- Going through the revolving door will land one in either Level 9, Level 10, or Level 11.
- Falling asleep while whatching any media about radiation will transist one into the city of Level 41. It should be noted, that the exact place where one will wake up almost always resembles abandoned video rental retail.
- Noclipping through a cartridge of the classic Tetris video game sends one to Level 245.
- Watching the show and episode "Creeped Out: The Many Place" will cause one to noclip through the ground when it ends, sending one to Level 238.
The primary exits on Level 40 appear to have abnormal characteristics and are currently under investigation. It's called The Revolving Doors, and I have a hypothesis.
The Revolving Doors are a portion of Level 40 that was thought not to exist until a singular, failed expedition proved the existence of The Revolving Doors. According to eyewitness accounts, The Revolving Doors is a portal that leads out to various outdoor levels depending on how big the city/town the wanderer lives in. The levels that The Revolving Doors lead to are listed below.
- If one lives in a small town, they will enter one of the towns at Level 10 when they pass through The Revolving Doors. Compared to the other exits, The Revolving Doors will vanish when returned through them.
- If one lives in a medium suburban neighborhood, they will end up in Level 9 when they walk through The Revolving Doors. Usually, The Revolving Doors are in the backyard of a house.
- If one lives in a big city, they will end up in Level 11 when they walk through The Revolving Doors. The Revolving Doors will appear in front of a video rental store building.
- You can also find the Revolving Doors on Level 25 and Level 31.
Original version written by: Cattywampusman07.
Previous version rewritten by NightmareFreddybear and Uhhh12.
New version rewritten by: WindXD and ALwaysWand3ringg.
Wikitext: Xanth.
| Levels | Futuristic Halls │ J. Barry Mental Asylum │ ⍟ Abyss Inn │ Numbered Doors │ Out of Order │ Otherworldly │ The Attic │ Artistic View │ Roller Rink │ Dead Mall │ Desolate Terminal │ Video Rental Store │ Surreal Continuum │ Arabian Desert │ The Moribund Highway │ ⍟ Greenfield Campus │ Alone │ ⍟ Stairwell Of Spirals │ Shooting Gallery │ Downtown Diner│ Shocking Anomaly │ Anemoia │ Soundless Solitude │ 261 Turner Lane │ Level 13? │ A Brass Number 6 │ Grayscale Halls │ Unrecognized Landscape │ Lukewarm Hotel │ Solitude Snow │ The Tranquil Disruption │ Blue Horizon |
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| Themes | Liminal Theme |