March, 2023 Devlog - The Starry Night

UNWASHED - March, 2023 Devlog

The gravitational pull of experience

Through countless hours spent watching horror movies and playing horror games, I've been inspired to pursue my dream of creating a truly terrifying horror video game that not only scares players but also delivers a powerful message.

In 2020, I launched two horror games - Best Friend and Psycho - within the same year. While I was proud of the work I had accomplished, the final products didn't meet my expectations. Both games suffered from bugs and poor game design, leading to mixed reviews from players. However, this invaluable feedback helped me learn a great deal from those two projects. As I look back on those experiences, I remain determined to create the best horror game possible and am committed to refining my skills as a developer.

A dim star in the night sky

Last year, I had the chance to study abroad as an exchange student, with the opportunity to attend schools in both my home country and abroad. However, every time I visited either school, I witnessed tears, pressure, and problems among the students. There was a diverse mix of students, with varying strengths and weaknesses, such as some excelling in math while others in art. Some students wore shoes worth over a thousand dollars, while others just wore flip-flops. Sadly, I also observed instances of bullying, with some students being victimized and others being the perpetrators. Notably, some bullies faced disciplinary action, while others did not.

Moreover, in some countries, particularly those that are developing, the issue of education is complex and difficult to solve. Access to education varies significantly from region to region, with some children lacking opportunities while others have more than they need. It may seem like an old problem that has already been addressed and fixed, but unfortunately, it still persists. Despite the concerns expressed by many, little has been done to effect real change. Sometimes what appears to be a small problem can escalate into a bigger issue, and that could happen sooner rather than later.

The Space Telescope

Looking at the dimmest star in a starry sky with a telescope can help us see problems more clearly. Sometimes, the small problems we ignore might be bigger than we think. Even though I may not have the expertise to solve a significant problem, I, as a student, can bring attention to the issue that most students face. By doing so, I hope to raise awareness among a broader audience, including those who have the capability to resolve the problem. Using a video game to convey a message can help young people and others understand the issue easily while having fun. To emphasize the problem's seriousness and discourage it, I decided to make it a horror game.

The March Big Bang

Putting aside the gloomy narrative, let's focus on what I accomplished this month. I started the project towards the end of 2022, and until now, I've been primarily in the pre-production phase. I composed the screenplay and script for the game and created the fundamental horror game mechanics.

These are some of the systems that I have finished this month:

• Main Menu

• In-Game Menu

• Save Game

• Load Game

• Basic Player Movement (Ex: Crouching, Sprinting, Leaning)

• Footsteps Sound

• Head Bobbing

• Fundamental Game Mechanic

• Cutscene System

• Music & Ambient

• Color Grading (Post Processing)

This month was largely dedicated to preparing for the production phase, where my focus will be on developing the game levels and storyline.

I am developing the game by myself. It may take longer to launch compared to other video games. I apologize for the slow process and assure you that I will do my best to complete the game and release it this year. I will provide monthly updates on the game's progress through these blog posts. Thank you for reading and showing an interest in this little indie game.

Wishlist Unwashed now on Steam! https://store.steampowered.com/app/2343470/Unwashed/