Game Making: Start By Healing the Player

An agreement was drawn up between Nebula Games and the motion capture studio to produce an extensive library of material.

And Chen Xu led the charge in the development of ‘Outlast’.

It wasn’t cheap to make a game like this, but it wasn’t as expensive as one might think either.

After running through everything, the finance department drew up a budget report. The total cost of this game, including the creation and subsequent marketing expenses, is estimated to be around 6 million RMB.

There might be additional fees to consider, but the upper limit will not exceed 8 million RMB.

For a game in the horror genre, this is a pretty hefty figure. Not a lot of companies would be willing to invest so much in something like this.

Needless to say, the team at Nebula was very excited.

This was, after all, their first major project. And if it took off like Chen Xu’s previous titles, they would essentially be making a breakthrough in the horror gaming genre.

………….

The days passed quickly.

Artwork, animations and various other parts of the game were produced quickly and efficiently under the guidance of Chen Xu and the team leaders.

The script for dialogue was also completed, with voice-overs being booked for later.

At the current stage of development, the team was busy giving the playable character a trial run, working out the kinks in the movements and actions.

“Man… I’m actually kinda creeped out already. Can you imagine how terrifying the final product will be?”

In her new office, Ruan Ningxue was giving the design concepts another once over with the other team leads.

These were environmental designs of the setting. So they included the dilapidated hospital building, the blood and corpses strewn about the area, the escaped crazies hiding under beds and in dark corners.

There was also a second set of the same scenes, but made from the perspective of video camera footage. And a third set for the camera’s night vision mode.

These images, rendered with the technology of the parallel world, were doing a fantastic job of showcasing the eerie atmosphere of ‘Outlast’, just looking at them was enough to send shivers down the spine.

As the development phase continued, Ruan Ningxue was gradually growing more haggard, her eyes were slowly growing more bloodshot as the days passed, and dark rings began appearing beneath her eyelids.

Why?

Because she was too scared to sleep!

She actually did as Chen Xu instructed, and tried using the night vision video camera at 3am. Her house became an eerie place with a creepy atmosphere she just couldn’t shake off. And it made her extremely uncomfortable.

After all, scaring yourself with your own imagination is the greatest of all scares.

However, it turned out to be a curse and a blessing. Because now that she had tasted this fear personally, she was able to fully realize Chen Xu’s vision and bring the atmosphere he desired to life.

“Yeah! And there’s no way to fight back in the game too, they can only run away and hide…” Yang Xin, who made herself at home in Ningxue’s office to steal her snacks, let out a sigh as well.

Chen Xu had a satisfied smile on his face, “Isn’t that more exciting? If you have a gun, it will become something more akin to an FPS. The fear hits harder due to being unable to defend yourself.”

In this parallel world, almost every horror game includes some sort of melee weapon or firearm. But why is that so?

Two reasons mainly. Having a combat system can add more depth to a game depending on the gear customization and ammo scarcity. And it can also be considered an emotional outlet for the tension being built up.

This approach isn’t bad. In fact, the ‘Resident Evil’ series makes good use of this formula.

However, the main flaw is that once the player accumulates a significant amount of firepower, a horror game will then turn into an FPS.

After all, the feeling of horror arises from being unable to defend yourself against whatever is coming for you. But with enough firepower, fear will be suppressed.

‘Resident Evil’ also gradually deviated from its original vision and went down this path, becoming more of an action game with horror elements.

Starting from the 4th installment in particular, it began leaning towards the action shooting style until the remake reigned it back to have a balance between horror and action. The series also saw a resurgence into its horror roots with the 7th and 8th installments.

But of course, for a lot of players, the highlights of the recent games are Lady Dimitrescu and her three daughters. For obvious reasons.

“By the way, Mr Chen, when should the pre-release marketing for ‘Outlast’ begin? Our socials are getting flooded by players asking for news and updates.” Yang Xin asked.

Due to the influx of new people in the office, Yang Xin and Ruan Ningxue had taken to using more formal language when speaking with Chen Xu about work related matters. It was important for company image but how long that would last is up to fate.

“Yes, development on the game is progressing quickly. I wouldn’t be surprised if we finished by December,” Ruan Ningxue said absentmindedly, her blank gaze still transfixed on the disturbing works of art on her monitor.

‘Outlast’ was not a very large-scale project, and most of the effort was concentrated on producing the various animations and art assets.

And in terms of gameplay, it’s fast-paced and progression is made rapidly, barely containing any time consuming content.

There were also very few numbers to crunch as it was not a complex RPG, so development had been smooth sailing from the very start.

Chen Xu smiled and replied,

“No need to rush, and no need for excess spending. Have it begin around mid-to-late November.

I’ve also gathered up quite a following on my personal socials at this point, might as well make use of it.

Besides, you two seem to be forgetting something. Don’t you remember what day tomorrow is?”

Huh? What’s the date?

Yang Xin and Ruan Ningxue stared blankly at Chen Xu before scanning the bottom corner of the monitor.

October 30th?!

“ That’s right, it’s Halloween! I’ve been preparing for this day, and got some promotional material ready to go.

After all, our dear players have been eagerly awaiting something, I think it’s pretty fitting and realistic if we announce the new release on Halloween, right?”

Chen Xu’s smile seemed to grow eerie and malicious in the eyes of the two girls. He ignored their expressions and pulled up a video on his screen.

It was a short video, only 10 seconds long.

The screen was pitch black at first, then suddenly the sound of electronics booting up was heard. An image appeared, but it wasn’t normal.

It’s the POV of a night-vision video camera, with a battery indicator on the top right corner and a red blinking dot on the top left corner, implying that the footage was being recorded.

The girls recognized the background image being used, it was Chen Xu’s office.

But it was a mess. His chair was knocked over and there were numerous files scattered on the desk.

The video was completely silent.

The atmosphere of the video was incredibly unsettling.

In the final second of the footage, the screen shook, as if the person holding the camera was being attacked and was struggling fiercely.

But still, there was not a single sound, the unsettling atmosphere was now suffocating, and then the video ended abruptly, plunging the screen back into darkness.

There was silence in the office as Chen Xu turned around with an expectant smile, his eyes sparkling with mirth. He knew damn well that the level of horror in this world wasn’t very high, and the ‘Outlast’ project was leagues above in terms of quality and fear factor. Even this little video oozed an atmosphere that put the majority of horror movies to shame.

Yang Xin and Ruan Ningxue stared back at him for a long time without speaking.

“Mr Chen, I think being realistic and sending people straight to hell are two very different things.” Ruan Ningxue was unable to hold it in any longer and let it out.

Obviously, this video blatantly informs the public that their next release was going to be a horror game.

But the main point is, what is this terrifying thing? Was this really “fitting and realistic”?

I’m afraid some very unfortunate people are getting sent straight to hell this Halloween.

Ruan Ningxue mumbled a silent prayer for those unfortunate souls, for she knew what awaited them.

She looked back at her boss, who was giddy with excitement. To come alone into the office in the middle of the night and shoot a night-vision video, he was clearly enjoying this way too much.

Yang Xin couldn’t help but toss one last life buoy towards Chen Xu before he sank further into the swamp of depravity. “Mr Chen, didn’t you publicly say you were a warrior of love? ‘Outlast’ has nothing to do with love, why don’t we have a more upbeat announcement?”

“Of course it’s related to love! Haven’t you done your research on the genre? For the longest time, horror enthusiasts have been saying that there were simply no good horror games. Why do you think I’m developing ‘Outlast’? It’s to express my love for these poor, forgotten souls! I AM a warrior of love!”

“And upbeat? Don’t you think this video fits perfectly with the game? Because it’s so different from normal marketing trailers, this will gain even more traction, I guarantee it! We have to be prepared to ride the wave of hype this creates!” Chen Xu explained with an earnest expression that blinded his two compatriots.