Holly Green, Community Editorial Coordinator
September 20, 2024
9 Min Read
Images through Gun Interactive.
In 2022, Gun Interactive took an uncommon action for a reputable AAA studio: it launched a totally free video game on Itch.io. Entitled Petals, the title was really a prequel involved a mini-game, a method to inform more of the Texas Chainsaw Massacre story as it would appear later on in the titular video game from 2023.
The objective of Petals was to start the story of Maria Flores through pictures from her electronic camera, leading up to the occasions of the video game. Providing insight into that is Gun Interactive president and CEO Wes Keltner, who is signed up with by executive manufacturer Ismael Vicens, to describe their believed procedure behind the style of this minigame, and why they selected to provide a story in this particular method.
Video game Developer: What were your style objectives in including a photography mode to the video game?
Wes Keltner: We understood our video game was occurring a couple of months before the 1974 movie. In order to supply as much story as we could, while still making a multiplayer-only video game, we started subjugating the concept of an ARG. We wished to inform the story of Maria, why she remained in Texas, and what took place to her. The responses to these concerns would start our multiplayer video game. It was the story before the story.
Our innovative director, Ronnie Hobbs, had actually currently composed into the bio of Maria that she was a professional photographer. She went to this location of Texas to take photos of the bluebonnets and other spring flowers. We were likewise thinking about connecting the cam Hitchhiker utilizes in the movie back into our video game. Where did he get that video camera? This was our opportunity to do something fascinating. We produced this smaller sized, PC-only experience that enabled gamers to utilize that really electronic camera to take photos of flowers. With each image they were looming closer and closer to their end.
Why utilize photography to provide story?
Keltner: If you’re making a smaller sized video game or experience, you need to begin considering keeping the systems and mechanics rather easy. This isn’t a totally scoped-out video game, however a smaller sized, nearly demo-like experience. Concentrating on the cam was a fantastic mechanic that was rather simple to execute while still providing the gamers something to focus on. It permits them to take a look at things more detailed, with intent. And truthfully, it slowed them down. And as scary video game developers, if I can get you to decrease, I got you! I can terrify you when you decrease.
What video camera or photography functions did you feel were vital and which were left on the cutting space flooring?
Ismael Vicens: When we were very first going over Petals, something that we felt was rewarding to execute was the concept of maintaining the element of the professional photographer behind the video camera.