Contradiction: Spot the Liar! Windows, Mac, iOS, iPad game

Contradiction

Contradiction plays as smoothly as a 3D graphic game. You can wander freely around the game environment, collecting evidence and witnessing constantly changing events.

However, the centrepiece of the game is interviewing the characters you meet, who can be questioned about all the evidence you’ve collected and things you’ve seen. The name of the game is then spotting contradictions in their answers, catching them out and moving the game along.

Gameplay

The fictional village of Edenton is shown from various points around the high street and surrounding woodland. You’re free to wander around as Jenks throughout the game. When there’s something interesting to find or see, Jenks can pick it up or make a note of it. You can often use collected objects at other locations, such as using a key to open a door.

While on your travels you meet several characters living in the village. When Jenks knocks on their door, they let him in and you can then decide what Jenks asks them. You can ask about any object or note. They will answer your question, then a summary of their reply will be shown. Now all you have to do is spot the contradictions in what they’ve said - pair two contradictory statements and the character will be forced to admit their lie, advancing the story by opening up new places to explore, events to witness and characters to interview.

The Story

Atlas is an exclusive business training course run by father and son team Paul and Ryan Rand. They are based in a large mansion house in the country, just outside Edenton village. They like to present an air of exclusivity and respectability, but their controversial training methods have brought them unwanted attention. Accusations abound that they have been employing abusive training techniques.

As Jenks investigates he discovers further information linking Atlas to previous suicides and witnesses some of their bizarre training exercises.

Then when he meets a disturbed former student things begin to look even darker. Atlas training techniques appear to be causing real psychological damage.

Jenks gradually reveals occult practices, psychological manipulation and physical abuse, all behind the mask of a legitimate business training course.

Filming

Contradiction was shot in the UK in the village of Great Budworth in Cheshire, with additional scenes filmed in St Helens and Mawdesley, Lancashire. Filming began in 2014 following a successful Kickstarter campaign.

Dialogue scenes took 11 days to shoot, with additional shots and scenes filmed throughout 2014, as the game development evolved. All exteriors were shot during overcast days to maintain a consistent look once graded for night. Effects were used to add lights in windows and streetlamps. In addition, a number of effects shots were required to correct house numbers, number plates and signs, as well as door orientations and street views to match up sequences filmed in different locations.