Three scary releases from the Games Academy this Halloween

24 October 2024

Abyssal Dread
Type: Text
Category: Student stories, Student work

Header image is taken from Abyssal Dread.

At Falmouth, Halloween isn’t just about scary movies and pumpkin carving; it’s also about sampling the best titles the Games Academy has to offer. We asked Dr Jeff Howard, Associate Professor of Games and Occulture, to name some of his favourite student-created games for your enjoyment this Halloween.

On the subject of scary games, Jeff said, “At the Games Academy, we believe that player experience is more than the sum of its parts. This means that making a scary game requires teamwork and careful coordination of mechanics, art, animation, audio, and story. The following three games are great examples of this holistic, interdisciplinary approach to game development.”

Critical Exposure

This first-person urban exploration survival-horror game was created by seven Games Academy students last year under the Occult Optics moniker. Developed in Unreal Engine 5, you play as Nathan, an aspiring photography journalist, as he takes photos of an abandoned nuclear building while trying to find his friends. Avoid unexpected threats and hazards while descending deeper through the decommissioned facility where all is not as it seems.

Critical Exposure on itch.io

Critical Exposure
Abyssal Dread

Abyssal Dread

In this third-year game by Void Inkorporated, you escape the nightmare you woke up to using the ancient weaponry of another world. Join the protagonist as you hack and slash your way through the gritty, dark dungeons of an Eldritch prison, filled with otherworldly horrors, before you succumb to the vile magic of your jailers.

Abyssal Dread on itch.io

Seven Nights in Horshaw House

Indie Games MA student Jack Self created this mysterious and atmospheric title over the course of six months for his online degree. In the game, you step into the role of Detective Henry Ward, summoned to Horshaw House to uncover its dark secrets. With an eerie presence lurking in the shadows and a haunted history to unveil, your quest is to collect seven elusive skulls to put the spirits of the house to rest. But beware, for the evil forces of the mansion won't yield their secrets easily. Explore, investigate, and face the unknown to uncover the truth within seven nights.

See Jack's blogs on the development process here

Seven Nights in Horshaw House

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