The Pulse Monthly - 4.0
Hey everyone,
Our March update is finally here, and this month, we're discussing one of the core mechanics found throughout the world of Scorn. For those of you who have been around for any length of time, you'll know we love being cryptic. The mystery of the unknown lends itself well to the horror genre, and it's also a powerful driving force behind the need to explore.
As you struggle through the living labyrinth, isolated and lost, you discover how to interact with the world around you. Understanding how things are connected and learning about the ever-present symbiotic relationships equips you with tools to move forward. In a way, the game itself is one big puzzle waiting to be solved.
With atmospheric horror, it's so crucial that the puzzles are an integral part of the story, not simply added in as an afterthought. Puzzles must enrich the experience. The biomechanical elements can seem puzzle-like, especially as one stumbles through such an unfamiliar world.
Everything has a reason and a purpose. You just need to figure out what that is.
To further explore the role puzzles play within Scorn, we spoke with Dusan Santovac, one of our Game Designers here at Ebb Software.
How does exploration of the unknown tie into Scorn’s core gameplay?
Overcoming discomfort is an innate motivational factor that Scorn injects into its players. Maze-like structures tell their own story, pushing the player to explore the unknown to better understand the grisly world around them. That is precisely what we aimed for when designing the levels.
If Scorn was just a walking simulator, the flow of architecture alone could drive that experience, but it's so much more. It is a world in which player agency is crucial to how one progresses through the game. Grotesque creatures, physical barriers, and an ever-present sense of dread need to be addressed as you explore the world.
Overcoming these challenges will require careful observation and logic, which can be hard to do while experiencing fear or anxiety.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Are there things you need to consider when creating puzzles for Scorn?
From a game design perspective, there are many things to consider when trying to include logical puzzles in such an atmospheric environment. For example, puzzles can ruin the atmosphere if they break up the game flow. Another common issue is that complexity can sometimes result in frustration for players trying to progress. Addressing those concerns is a matter of game design. Our job is figuring out how to seamlessly integrate puzzles into the game's natural flow, ultimately enhancing the overall experience.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
How do you address some of those challenges?
Scorn has a very distinct style woven into every piece of the game, so puzzles need to be a continuation of that experience. While solving puzzles, the player is still exposed to the same environment and risks, keeping them immersed in the world.
We also spend a lot of time carefully considering what logical steps are needed to advance. Special attention is given to where these puzzles are located, as they often control the pacing of the game and provide insight into how the world of Scorn functions. Sometimes this can even give players a chance to consolidate their thoughts while getting ready for the next area.
Here's the latest on our development progress from our game director and Ebb Software's CEO, Ljubomir Peklar:
"I'm happy to report our development is still on track, and we're wrapping up the levels one by one. A lot of time and effort has gone into ensuring the finer details are just how we want them throughout the earlier levels. For these completed areas, optimisation is the next priority. We're still working through several significant elements for the final stages, but are progressing as planned.
We're also getting things ready for rigorous rounds of gameplay testing this summer. We want to ensure the game will run smoothly across all the devices we launch on."
And with that, another edition of The Pulse Monthly comes to a close. Thank you for taking the time to read these each month. Our community is filled with so many passionate fans seeking a truly unique experience, and we can't wait to deliver on that experience in October. Stay tuned over the coming months as we take a look at some of the creatures within the world, explore your arsenal of weapons, and provide more behind-the-scenes content.
Our March update is finally here, and this month, we're discussing one of the core mechanics found throughout the world of Scorn. For those of you who have been around for any length of time, you'll know we love being cryptic. The mystery of the unknown lends itself well to the horror genre, and it's also a powerful driving force behind the need to explore.
Pain, Puzzles, and Progression
As you struggle through the living labyrinth, isolated and lost, you discover how to interact with the world around you. Understanding how things are connected and learning about the ever-present symbiotic relationships equips you with tools to move forward. In a way, the game itself is one big puzzle waiting to be solved.
With atmospheric horror, it's so crucial that the puzzles are an integral part of the story, not simply added in as an afterthought. Puzzles must enrich the experience. The biomechanical elements can seem puzzle-like, especially as one stumbles through such an unfamiliar world.
Everything has a reason and a purpose. You just need to figure out what that is.
Spill Your Guts
To further explore the role puzzles play within Scorn, we spoke with Dusan Santovac, one of our Game Designers here at Ebb Software.
How does exploration of the unknown tie into Scorn’s core gameplay?
Overcoming discomfort is an innate motivational factor that Scorn injects into its players. Maze-like structures tell their own story, pushing the player to explore the unknown to better understand the grisly world around them. That is precisely what we aimed for when designing the levels.
If Scorn was just a walking simulator, the flow of architecture alone could drive that experience, but it's so much more. It is a world in which player agency is crucial to how one progresses through the game. Grotesque creatures, physical barriers, and an ever-present sense of dread need to be addressed as you explore the world.
Overcoming these challenges will require careful observation and logic, which can be hard to do while experiencing fear or anxiety.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
Are there things you need to consider when creating puzzles for Scorn?
From a game design perspective, there are many things to consider when trying to include logical puzzles in such an atmospheric environment. For example, puzzles can ruin the atmosphere if they break up the game flow. Another common issue is that complexity can sometimes result in frustration for players trying to progress. Addressing those concerns is a matter of game design. Our job is figuring out how to seamlessly integrate puzzles into the game's natural flow, ultimately enhancing the overall experience.
[previewyoutube][/previewyoutube]
How do you address some of those challenges?
Scorn has a very distinct style woven into every piece of the game, so puzzles need to be a continuation of that experience. While solving puzzles, the player is still exposed to the same environment and risks, keeping them immersed in the world.
We also spend a lot of time carefully considering what logical steps are needed to advance. Special attention is given to where these puzzles are located, as they often control the pacing of the game and provide insight into how the world of Scorn functions. Sometimes this can even give players a chance to consolidate their thoughts while getting ready for the next area.
Development Update
Here's the latest on our development progress from our game director and Ebb Software's CEO, Ljubomir Peklar:
"I'm happy to report our development is still on track, and we're wrapping up the levels one by one. A lot of time and effort has gone into ensuring the finer details are just how we want them throughout the earlier levels. For these completed areas, optimisation is the next priority. We're still working through several significant elements for the final stages, but are progressing as planned.
We're also getting things ready for rigorous rounds of gameplay testing this summer. We want to ensure the game will run smoothly across all the devices we launch on."
And with that, another edition of The Pulse Monthly comes to a close. Thank you for taking the time to read these each month. Our community is filled with so many passionate fans seeking a truly unique experience, and we can't wait to deliver on that experience in October. Stay tuned over the coming months as we take a look at some of the creatures within the world, explore your arsenal of weapons, and provide more behind-the-scenes content.