Read how IllFonic leverages gameplay to capture the classic feeling of Halloween
Effectively conveying a constant sense of terror in the interactive world of Haddonfield is no small feat and the team at IllFonic strived to do this timeless classic justice in Halloween. The original film secured its place in horror history by thrusting viewers into an anxiety-driven nightmare where the formidable Michael Myers slinks in and out of the shadows. Nearly 50 years later, the team aims to recreate that unforgettable feeling of dread through thoughtful game design.
When it comes to embodying evil as Michael Myers, Halloween’s gameplay principles lead with looming, stalking stealth. Michael must leverage darkness to maneuver the environments of Haddonfield undetected not only to evade his adversaries, but to accomplish his murderous objectives. Utilizing abilities like Shape Jump and first-person perspective stalking, players get to immerse themselves in the role of one of horror’s most legendary figures and unleash bloodshed upon the small Illinois town.
Stealth isn’t only important for Michael, either. The Heroes of Haddonfield must remain careful and quiet while attempting to rescue their neighbors from the Boogeyman’s sinister embrace. Generating excessive noise, being reckless with a flashlight, or even carelessly escorting residents could force players into an unwanted encounter with Michael. Balancing stealth was a fundamental factor when crafting this immersive horror experience and the team carefully considered how elements like shadows, color grading, ambience, map layouts, and player POV would impact moment-to-moment gameplay.
Jordan Mathewson, Design Director at IllFonic, said, “A multi-perspective approach to stealth helped us build an entirely new flow of mechanics between characters. Michael uses it to expertly stalk his victims while staying out of sight, and the victims use it to avoid the Shape’s terrifying presence. Regardless of which side you're on, you'll quickly learn how to best use these systems to your advantage.”
By creating situations where match escalation naturally ratchets up and disconcerting stealth gives way to moments of frenetic action and fear, the team provides a satisfying cadence to Halloween that aims to capture the essence of the 1978 film. Matches begin slow, cautious, and methodical, but as the gravity of the situation unfolds, and more residents of Haddonfield join the fray, the energy culminates into an haunting climax and an inevitable face off with The Shape. The team believes this organic progression will empower players to control the tension of each match and deliver satisfying horror movie finales time and time again.
Jordan goes on to share, ‘We understood quickly that the foundations of the gameplay needed to revolve around the progression of power and tension to match the movie. The actions of players, especially Michael, become the driving force of terror throughout each match as intensity grows.”
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