Atmosphere is one of the themes of a survival horror game. To achieve this heightened sense of atmosphere we look for several different elements. First you have the basic feel of the game, the darkness and low visibility are the first key. Using highly-detailed realistic textures along with ones inspired by the macabre horrors of HP Lovecraft helps present the player with a world that fits the tone of the game.
Attention to detail is one of the biggest elements of our mod. A static environment does not lend itself well to immersion so we have made sure that almost everything can be interacted with. Even small things like a water shader on the players face when it rains helps in the long run. It's everything together that make a survival horror title feel alive and horrific.
Here is an example of the atmosphere our game provides. We have started adding in the sounds and polishing from the start onwards. This shows the player encountering the first structures in the game and the change of weather. The second video shows a scene of insanity inspired the film Labyrinth and artist MC Escher.
Stay tuned for more content soon!
Looks really great!
The efect on the water going down on the edge of the little houses roof seems a bit big, make it a little smaller and you are fine to go.
And another typ I got from Risen (:P I know) add some howling scary monsters noises,( even if there isn't anything,) when ever you enter atmospheric areas. That gives the player a feeling of beeing watched, even if there isn't really anything, and the paranoia and fear effect of that is almost disturbing ;)
I agree, the effect on roof edges is too big. Everything else looks awesome.
Yeah we are working on more noises. Sound really is one of the hardest things I have encountered yet in game design. Also thanks for the suggestions, I'll fix the particle size, as those weren't scaled like the other ones were.
I like that :)