[Nightmare Files] Stoned

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• Announcements·24 Jan 2026Official

  Effort is finally paying off! Times are tough...

  Systems Approach is Paying Off SlowlySince last update, I spent an insane amount of time working on systems... again. But it's finally starting to pay off! I am hoping the payoff will be exponential here on out.My goal has always been to get the technical stuff out of the way so that I can focus on the creative part. It's the part I enjoy the most.With these systems I built I should finally be able to focus on the art side of things more, which should speed up the development of the project, while maintaining the quality standard I want to be known for.Some New VisualsI can't really showcase the technical stuff, but here's a few visual stuff I added!I'll start with what I am probably most proud of - the security gate on the ship level!:D (Spoilers)Here's a new intro scene packed with backstory and lore! (Still work in progress, need to do a detailing pass on it - posters, papers, trash, cables etc...)I've also been working on the ship sequence, added a ton of lore and detail to the level...FundingYa boy is almost cooked when it comes to finances. So, I've signed up for a government grant a few months ago. End of this month is when we will know if I was selected for the finals. Then I will have to prepare a pitch deck and present in front a jury. Then the winners will be announced in April I believe.This also means that I am on a sort of deadline. I need to get the demo ready in the next few months. Here's the rough plan:Get the Gameplay Finalized (should be a piece of cake with these systems, I hope)Closed Steam Playtest + bugfixing phase (10k people in queue)Once satisfied, I will transition to the Open Steam Playtest + bugfixing phaseThen Release the Demo to the public + bugfixingAll that needs to happen before April, ideally! Hopefully by then I will get the government grant so that I can finish the rest of the game without stressing about finances.But just to be clear, I will finish the game regardless of the outcome of the government grant.I'd rather live under...
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• Announcements·1 Oct 2025Official

  Some vibes from the game...

  I've been working hard on the environment art. So, I wanted to quickly share some vibes from the game! Let me know what you think!ShrineShipIslandLabyrinthI also used these to update the steam page to better reflect the current state and look of the game... But I am a bit unsure if that's a good idea, since I don't have a new trailer yet.In the next update I will probably showcase some new puzzles I've been working on or perhaps the inventory system, so stay tuned!
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• Announcements·10 Sept 2025Official

  A Storm is Coming...

  Every time I sit down to write an update I conclude that the time spent on it would be better used working on the game itself. But I do realize that people need to know what's happening with the game. So here it is! In short: I am still alive, and the game is progressing really well, check out the screenshots and videos below!:D The PlaytestThe most important news is that there was a closed playtest a couple of months ago! Around 1,500 people requested access.Exactly 600 people got access to the first version of the demo. Around 300 people played it.And around 50-100 people provided feedback. Currently there are another 5,000 people in queue, I'm sorry but you will have to wait for the next iteration, I promise it will be better and worth the wait!:P The FeedbackThe current version of the game is simply not scary enoughThere is too much empty space (map is too big, walking simulator vibes)Nobody noticed the monster, he was too subtle hahaThe story was too complicated and confusingThe intro sequence was quite boring and prolongedThe new dialogue system requires actual voice overs to be recorded, which is quite expensive and complicates a lot of stuffThe physics interactions aren't intuitive - I tried to improve them from Clap Clap, but they are still too difficult to useI was overly ambitious in so many aspects - tons of effects, characters, massive maps, I also planned 3 chapters in the full game etc...It might look like a ton of bad news. But it's actually not!:D I learned A TON working on this iteration of the game. The feedback I got is pure gold. The next iteration of the game is going to be sooo much better. The New VersionI had two options:try to address the feedback and release a mediocre gameor scrap a ton of stuff and do a major pivotI decided to scrap a massive amount of work. It was risky. It was stressful. But I truly want to provide the best possible experience that I can muster. Here's some of the things that are changing... Story OverhaulI've decided ...
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• Announcements·14 Mar 2025Official

  Something stirs on this island...

  Hey everyone! Just a quick update to show what I’ve been working on. I realized that I should post something here from time to time, so people know that the game is actively being worked on!:) I have to be careful though, as not to spoil anything:) Not much to say—just some sights from the world. Make of them what you will;) 🏔️ An ominous mountain {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45204671/1755b63336d29cb4651597903549f98d0b88dcd1.png 🔥 The fire crackles, but no one is here {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45204671/1b6c9c801f5294aebeb8043e1ebded3554d072ea.png 🚪 What's behind this door? {STEAM_CLAN_IMAGE}/45204671/1e776fd62a4dcd428db7bfb653a58d6aea597d05.png As you can see, there are still some cubes here and there that I have to replace. But the game is slowly taking shape!:D
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