Moodboard & Playlist
Narrative Directions
Direction 1 – Walking simulator between levels
One of our ideas for the game is a simple puzzle room. However, we could add a walking sim component to get between levels. For instance, you might be in a cabin, complete the level, and now need to walk to find the next challenge. This is similar to the walking sim game Journey, which requires you to physically find the next level before working on it. This would add a sense of adventure and novelty that might keep the player more engaged between rounds.
Direction 2 – Ghosts of previous or future characters
We could introduce backstory clues and foreshadow future events by showing ghost characters. These characters would not be interactive, however, the player needs to get closer in order to hear them. The sound may offer additional clues and keep the player on their toes to investigate. In other words, the player is not just passively examining the room. They need to be on the lookout for ghosts and chase them for clues. The foreshadowing of future events also keeps them looking for indicators for when the event will happen.
Direction 3 – Time of day
We could introduce day and night, with windows showing sunlight or moonlight. This could add a new dimension to the game that makes the same room look different over time. Sunlight could expose new clues while moon light could activate different traps or clues. This would allow a small room to have greater dimensions and thus a harder challenge. In addition, it could act as a natural way to provide extra clues to move the game along if the player is struggling. For instance, if the player spends more than 10 minutes on the room and it thus becomes daytime, the sunlight could expose a hint.
