◂ All postsRec

2 min read

Introducing the Horror Kit

I've been working on a tool system to speed up my game dev. Its basically all the systems I need to make horror games a little quicker.

Hiding under a bed

Every time I start a new game, I start from scratch. I love building the systems and like seeing things come together, but trying to make a commercial game for the last 20 years has proven I need to stop repeating myself. So I took a look at the latest prototypes I've been making and made a wish list of features and mechanics and started bringing them into a tool kit I can use to build games.

It started with a first person character and a flashlight. Then I added the ability to interact with things. Soon you could pick up stuff and put it in an inventory that looked a little like a Resident Evil inventory.

a blue button you can push
The interaction system works for making simple puzzles

I also hate doing UI so why not build it all once. Key remapping! Sound adjustments. Sure we need those things but we only need to reskin them each game so my horror kit has a generic menu system I can customize.

horror kit has a generic menu system
Horror kit's generic title menu

The UI extends to a dialogue system with npcs and allows me to tell the stories that I want. I can add some voice lines too but right now its just test.

a dialogue with options
Dialogue is key to building a good horror story that feels deeper than just a monster chasing you

Another core mechanic I've been working on is hiding from the mosters. Of course they can pull you out of the hiding spot if you aren't careful and I have been trying to balance that part. There is even a hold your breath mechanic which I think works pretty well.

the player can hide under a bed
Hiding under a bed so the monster can't see you