Recently I had the need to do such a poorly lit horror game.
Here is the result: Droom Webplayer
A low-res version if it doesn’t work for you: Droom Webplayer
It was a funny project and I will continue working on it.
Was it creepy to you or not?
Things I want to add next:
Changing graphics Creating textures and environment props.
Adding voice The palyer should talk to himself and give hints to the player this way.
Automatic reactions Additionally, the player sometimes reacts autonomously; like quickly turning around if he (thought he) heared something.
Adding the stranger There is a strange something which frightends the player by doing all these actions and just beeing present. If the player stops moving he will come closer and he will feel it.
Random level The map will be built by predefined pieces to add variety.
it’s creepy. needs more variation in terrain… I felt like I was in a repetitive environment.
the lights breaking is a nice touch, but it would be better if they broke while you were looking at them, and with some sort of particle/shatter effect.
You don’t seem to be really going anywhere in the map. The game might be creepier with a story-line. I only watch horror movies so this game wasn’t creepy to me but I do think it could use maybe a little more work, it’s a good game I like the affect that happened when you go around that one corner near the smoke. I like where the game is going (it seems like a ghost game type thing, ghost movies and video games are really boring to me but I like how the game is going a long) it could use a little more work to set a better horror type mood.
Really needs:
A.) A goal
B.) A storyline
and, most importantly,
C.) Some form of opposition, for example perhaps a spirit is chasing you, and lights breaking indicates his presence but otherwise the player can’t see him. Could be somewhat adrenaline-pumping
That is one of the draw backs of horror/suspense games, replay value and how to create it. Especially if there are triggers that are not random. BTW I did hear the footsteps, thought that was my imagation, ha.
Keeping in mind that you did this in just a day, I think that it is good and on the right start. From what I learned about creating horror/suspense games (which is all I like to do) is that you have to think outside of the box. There are many aspects that are over done. If this is a ghost game, a storyline would help, so the player knows what kind of person the ghost was when they were alive. Or you can do what I like to do and create the game where the player dreads or hopefully dreads turning each corner; this will take a lot of skill or a good amount lf skill with lighting and triggering sounds and other varying aspects. Perfect example would be the light that went out, particle effect would have been perfect at that point.
I already have some new ideas, but want to have a closer look at other games of this genre since I never really played them Then I will compare the concepts.
As you said, if the player fears every corner, that would be great.
Things I want to add in the next weeks:
Changing graphics Creating textures and environment props.
Adding voice The palyer should talk to himself and give hints to the player this way.
Automatic reactions Additionally, the player sometimes reacts autonomously; like quickly turning around if he (thought he) heared something.
Adding the stranger There is a strange something which frightends the player by doing all these actions and just beeing present. If the player stops moving he will come closer and he will feel it.
Random level The map will be built by predefined pieces to add variety.
i have a prision scene im not using if you want it. tiss somewhat creepy would give you a decent level to test your systems. pm us if your interested heres a webplayer from a while back level is a tad bigger than the one in the player. https://dl.dropbox.com/u/13566733/WebPlayerd/WebPlayer.html
