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Blog 33: Concept Lore

FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTION: VIVID - SHADOWS OF HAVOC

The world is in chaos as crime runs rampant. People have found a way to absolve themselves of their misdeeds by blaming it on the higher entities, the gods from outer space. The world is tangentially aware of their existence, but few truly understand the nature of these beings.

Among these entities, there is one who stands apart, Nyarlathotep, the Crawling Chaos. Nyarlathotep feeds not only on the life on earth, but also on the chaos it spreads. It is said that wherever it goes, destruction and madness follow in its wake. In response to the growing threat posed by the supernatural, the Intelligence Agencies of the world have created a special unit, the Legion, headed by someone called, "The Seer".

The player will be controlling 2 characters from the Legion, each with their peculiar strengths and abilities and solve supernatural crimes.

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Blog 32: Concept Building

FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTION: VIVID - SHADOWS OF HAVOC

Secret Societies

The Supernaturals (Men of Letters)

The "Men of Letters" is a secret society of intellectuals and scholars in the world of the television show "Supernatural." The society is dedicated to the study and preservation of knowledge about the supernatural, with a focus on magic, demons, and other paranormal phenomena. The Men of Letters are portrayed as being highly knowledgeable and well-educated, with a vast array of resources at their disposal. They are also depicted as being somewhat aloof and detached from the world of the supernatural, relying on their intellect and knowledge to protect themselves and those around them.

The Men of Letters play a significant role in the show's overarching narrative, serving as both allies and adversaries to the main characters, the Winchester brothers. Throughout the series, the Men of Letters are portrayed as being the guardians of the supernatural, possessing vast libraries and archives filled with knowledge about the supernatural, as well as an extensive network of contacts and resources. They are often depicted as being well-informed about the latest developments in the supernatural world and are often able to provide the Winchesters with valuable information and resources that help them in their quest to stop evil from threatening the world.

In addition to their role as protectors of knowledge, the Men of Letters are also depicted as being highly secretive, with their existence and activities being known only to a select few. This secrecy serves to protect both the Men of Letters and the supernatural world they study, as well as to keep their knowledge and resources from falling into the wrong hands. This secrecy also adds to the mystique and allure of the Men of Letters, as their knowledge and resources are only accessible to a select few who have been deemed trustworthy.

The Men of Letters also play a significant role in shaping the worldview and beliefs of the Winchesters. Throughout the series, the Winchesters are often confronted with supernatural entities and events that challenge their understanding of the world and their place in it. The Men of Letters serve as a source of guidance and knowledge for the Winchesters, helping them to understand and navigate the supernatural world they find themselves in. The Winchesters also come to rely on the Men of Letters as allies and confidants, turning to them for advice and support in their battles against evil.

The Bavarian Illuminati

The Illuminati, also known as the Bavarian Illuminati, was a secret society founded in Bavaria in the late 1700s. The society was founded with the goal of promoting enlightenment and advocating for free thought and freedom of speech. However, despite its noble intentions, the Illuminati quickly gained a reputation as a dangerous and subversive organization that sought to undermine the established order and instigate social and political upheaval.

The Illuminati was active for a relatively short period of time, lasting only from its founding in 1776 until its suppression by the Bavarian government in 1785. Despite its brief existence, the Illuminati has had a lasting impact on popular culture and has become the subject of numerous conspiracy theories. Many people believe that the Illuminati still exists today, and that it is a powerful and secretive organization that seeks to control the world through its influence over politics, finance, and the media.

One of the reasons that the Illuminati has gained such a reputation as a powerful and secretive organization is because of its reputation for secrecy and its association with influential figures in history. The members of the Illuminati were sworn to secrecy, and the organization was structured in such a way that it was difficult for outsiders to learn about its activities or membership. Additionally, many of the members of the Illuminati were influential figures in their own right, including philosophers, scientists, and politicians.

Another reason that the Illuminati has gained a reputation as a dangerous and subversive organization is because of the role it played in the Enlightenment. During the Enlightenment, there was a growing movement towards free thought and reason, and the Illuminati was seen as a symbol of this movement. However, this association with the Enlightenment also made the Illuminati a target of conservative and religious forces who saw the organization as a threat to their power and influence.

Despite the suppression of the original Illuminati in the late 1700s, the concept of the Illuminati has continued to endure in popular culture and has become the subject of numerous conspiracy theories. Many people believe that the Illuminati still exists today and that it is a powerful and secretive organization that seeks to control the world through its influence over politics, finance, and the media.

The Vampire Diaries (The Brotherhood of Five)

The Brotherhood of Five, also known as the Five, is a group of vampires from the popular TV show "The Vampire Diaries." The group is made up of five vampires who are bound together by a powerful curse that requires them to work together to defeat an ancient evil known as the Hellfire. The Brotherhood of Five is an important part of the show's mythology and serves as a source of conflict and intrigue throughout the series.

The members of the Brotherhood of Five are chosen for their strength, their cunning, and their ability to work together. They are sworn to protect the world from the Hellfire, a force of darkness that threatens to consume the world. The Brotherhood of Five is a formidable force, and their skills and abilities are put to the test as they work to defeat the Hellfire and keep the world safe.

One of the main themes of the Brotherhood of Five is the idea of loyalty and sacrifice. The members of the group are bound together by their common goal and are willing to risk their own lives in order to protect the world. This theme of loyalty and sacrifice is demonstrated in several key moments throughout the series, as the members of the Brotherhood of Five come together to face their greatest challenges.

Another important theme of the Brotherhood of Five is the idea of power and its effects on those who wield it. The members of the group are incredibly powerful, and their abilities are coveted by many other vampires. However, the power that the members of the Brotherhood of Five wield also comes with a great deal of responsibility, and the group is faced with difficult decisions and moral dilemmas as they work to protect the world from the Hellfire.

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Blog 31: Concept Building IV

FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTION: VIVID - SHADOWS OF HAVOC

Nyarlathotep (The Crawling Chaos)

Nyarlathotep is a central figure in the mythos created by American writer H.P. Lovecraft, and is widely considered one of his most iconic creations. First appearing in the short story "Nyarlathotep" in 1920, the character has since become a staple of Lovecraft's "Cthulhu Mythos."

In Lovecraft's fiction, Nyarlathotep is depicted as a powerful and malevolent entity who serves as the messenger of the Outer Gods. The Outer Gods are beings of immense power who reside outside of our reality, and Nyarlathotep acts as their emissary, carrying out their will on the Earth. Nyarlathotep is described as a shapeshifter, taking on different forms to suit his needs and desires. He is a master of disguise, appearing as a human or an animal when it suits him, or taking on the form of a monstrous creature when he wishes to cause terror and destruction.

One of the defining characteristics of Nyarlathotep is his role as a manipulator. He is depicted as a cunning and manipulative being who uses his powers of deception and disguise to manipulate humans for his own purposes. In many of Lovecraft's stories, Nyarlathotep is portrayed as a charismatic figure who uses his powers of persuasion to draw people into his grasp and lead them down a path of destruction.

Another important aspect of Nyarlathotep's character is his role as a harbinger of chaos and destruction. He is often depicted as the cause of various disasters and catastrophes, both on a global and personal scale. In some stories, Nyarlathotep is said to be behind the collapse of civilizations, while in others he is described as tormenting individual characters, driving them to madness and despair.

Despite his malevolent nature, Nyarlathotep is depicted as a complex and multifaceted character. He is not simply a mindless force of evil, but rather a being with motivations and desires of his own. In some stories, Nyarlathotep is portrayed as a trickster figure, playing games with human lives for his own amusement. In others, he is depicted as a bringer of enlightenment, offering knowledge and power to those who are brave enough to seek it.

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Blog 30: Concept Building III

FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTION: VIVID - SHADOWS OF HAVOC

To begin with the pre-production research, I started out on Howard Philip Lovecraft, and his works.

Howard Phillips Lovecraft, born on August 20, 1890, in Providence, Rhode Island, was an American writer who is widely considered one of the most influential horror writers of the 20th century. Lovecraft's works blended elements of science fiction, fantasy, and horror to create a unique style that has had a lasting impact on popular culture.

Lovecraft was raised in a wealthy family, but his parents both suffered from mental illness, and he was primarily raised by his maternal grandparents. Despite his privileged upbringing, Lovecraft's childhood was marked by loneliness and isolation, which contributed to his introspective and imaginative nature.

Lovecraft showed an early interest in literature and the macabre, and his grandfather encouraged this by exposing him to classic works of horror, such as Edgar Allan Poe's stories. Lovecraft began writing at a young age and published his first work, "The Poisoned Island," in the local newspaper at the age of 16.

In the years that followed, Lovecraft continued to write and publish stories in various pulp magazines. Despite his prolific output, he struggled to make a living as a writer, and he took various odd jobs to support himself, including working as a clerk and a ghostwriter. Despite his financial difficulties, Lovecraft remained dedicated to his craft, and his works slowly gained a following among fans of horror fiction.

One of Lovecraft's most significant contributions to the genre was his creation of the "Cthulhu Mythos," a shared universe of creatures and gods that features in many of his stories. The Mythos features powerful, ancient beings who reside beyond the limits of human understanding, and whose influence on the world is often portrayed as malevolent and destructive.

Lovecraft's writing style is characterized by his use of dense, evocative language and his focus on the unknown and the intangible. He often wrote from the perspective of characters who are slowly losing their grip on reality as they come into contact with the supernatural forces that pervade his stories.

Despite his limited commercial success during his lifetime, Lovecraft's impact on popular culture has been enormous. His works have been adapted into movies, TV shows, comics, and video games, and he has inspired countless other writers and creators in the horror genre.

Lovecraftian Horror

Howard Phillips Lovecraft, was an American writer who is best known for his contributions to the horror genre. Lovecraft's works are characterized by their imaginative, imaginative and psychologically rich depictions of the supernatural and the unknown. Through his writing, Lovecraft explored the limits of human understanding and the consequences of delving into the unknown, creating a unique and powerful body of literature that continues to captivate audiences today.

One of Lovecraft's most distinctive and enduring contributions to the horror genre is his creation of the "Cthulhu Mythos," a shared universe of creatures and gods that appear in many of his stories. The Mythos is centred around the idea of ancient, powerful beings who reside beyond the limits of human understanding and who have the power to shape and manipulate reality. In Lovecraft's stories, these beings are often portrayed as malevolent and destructive, and they often represent the ultimate triumph of chaos over order.

Lovecraft's writing style is characterized by his use of rich, evocative language and his focus on the intangible and the unknown. He often wrote from the perspective of characters who are slowly losing their grip on reality as they come into contact with the supernatural forces that pervade his stories. Through his use of vivid, imaginative descriptions and his focus on the psychological and emotional responses of his characters, Lovecraft created stories that are both deeply unsettling and deeply imaginative.

Another hallmark of Lovecraft's writing is his use of cosmic horror. In many of his stories, he explored the idea that the universe is not as ordered or rational as humans believe, and that there are forces beyond our understanding that have the power to destroy us. This sense of cosmic dread is often intertwined with Lovecraft's exploration of the unknown and the intangible, as his characters encounter supernatural forces that challenge their understanding of the world and threaten to overwhelm them.

Despite his limited commercial success during his lifetime, Lovecraft's impact on the horror genre and on popular culture has been enormous. His works have been adapted into movies, TV shows, comics, and video games, and he has inspired countless other writers and creators in the horror genre. His writing continues to be widely read and studied today, and he is widely recognized as one of the most important and influential figures in the history of horror fiction.

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Blog 29: Concept Building II

FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTION: VIVID - SHADOWS OF HAVOC

The game draws various ideas from multiple pop culture references and have the following centralised themes:

Cosmic horror - The idea of an ancient deity and its minions that represent ultimate evil and chaos, a central theme in the works of H.P. Lovecraft.

Secret societies - The concept of a hidden organization working behind the scenes, influencing world events and keeping its activities shrouded in secrecy.

Mythology and folklore - The use of various myths and legends from around the world, especially those related to ancient gods and creatures, to create a rich and diverse world for the Legion.

The occult - The inclusion of mystical and supernatural elements, such as rituals, spells, and dark magic, that play a key role in the story.

The supernatural - The use of supernatural beings, powers, and abilities that are beyond the understanding of the average person, adding an element of fear and mystery to the story.

Psychological horror - the exploration of the dark, inner workings of the human mind and the fear and terror that can arise from these hidden places.

Action and adventure – Fast-paced and thrilling sequences that add excitement and intensity to the story, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

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Blog 28: Concept Building I

FINAL PROJECT PRE-PRODUCTION: VIVID - SHADOWS OF HAVOC

The major motivation behind the game concept was the lack of games in the genre of Cosmic horror. With only a selective title like The Sinking City, The Call of Cthulhu, Darkwood and a few more. There is a huge potential in the genre of Cosmic Horror. In order to reach to a certain point in the game I talked to many avid reader friends of Lovecraftian literature, who gave their opinions on particular creatures from the literature and what has a potential as a Cosmic Horror fanatic. The interrogations led me to the character called, "Nyarlathotep" also known as the Crawling Chaos. This was the beginning of how the concept started to flesh out from here.

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Blog 27: Game Level Map

PERSONAL PROJECT: HELLO HANNAH

The game map layout was made by me on illustrator.

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Blog 26: Ending Narrative

PERSONAL PROJECT: HELLO HANNAH

The ending was written by me:

Mark, breathless and frantic, bursts through the door and into the night. As Mark disappears into the darkness, the camera pans back to reveal Hannah standing in the doorway, a silent sentinel amidst the swirling shadows. Cut to the interior of the now-empty apartment, the only sound the echo of Mark's hurried footsteps fading into the distance. Nearby, Mark's phone lies abandoned on the floor, its screen glowing with a new notification. The camera zooms in on the phone, revealing Hannah's ghostly figure looming in the background, a haunting presence amidst the silence.

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Blog 25: Prologue Narrative

PERSONAL PROJECT: HELLO HANNAH

The Prologue was written by me :

A cozy apartment, boxes scattered around, as a man, MARK, moves in. Mark lies in bed, tossing and turning, as the scene fades into a dream sequence. In Mark's dream, he finds himself in a dimly lit room. A young girl, HANNAH, appears, her face obscured by shadows. Hannah gestures for Mark to follow her, disappearing into the darkness. Mark awakens with a start, sweat-soaked and trembling. Mark rises from his bed, heart pounding, and ventures into the hallway. He glimpses a fleeting figure darting past. Mark rushes to the door, but finds it open, the corridor empty. Cut to Mark sitting at his computer, typing feverishly. Mark sends out a tweet recounting his experience, seeking reassurance and understanding. Cut to Mark's phone buzzing with notifications, a flood of responses pouring in. Mark reads through the replies, his expression shifting from uncertainty to determination. Fade to black as ominous music swells, setting the stage for the haunting to come.

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Blog 24: Planning Game Flow

PERSONAL PROJECT: HELLO HANNAH

As the game is a small one the game flow was heavily inspired by PT. This was the game flow decided.

The prologue and game ending was decided to be animated illustrations in order to narrate story.

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Blog 23: Game Backdrop

PERSONAL PROJECT: HELLO HANNAH

Written by me:

As the sun sets behind the towering cityscape, casting elongated shadows through the narrow alleyways, Mark unlocks the door to his new apartment. Little did he know, this seemingly ordinary act would unravel a series of chilling events that would consume his every thought.

At first, the apartment appears inviting, with its clean walls and polished floors. But as the days pass, Mark begins to notice subtle anomalies. Strange whispers echo through the rooms when he's alone, and eerie shadows dance at the corner of his vision.

Night after night, Mark is plagued by vivid dreams. In these dreams, a small girl, her face obscured by darkness, reaches out to him with outstretched arms. Her voice, barely more than a whisper, beckons him closer, promising secrets hidden in the shadows.

But it's not just the dreams that trouble Mark. Reality begins to blur as well. Objects shift inexplicably when he's not looking, and he catches glimpses of movement out of the corner of his eye.

As the weeks pass, the boundaries between dream and reality blur further, trapping Mark in a nightmarish loop. Each day feels like a repetition of the last, with his apartment becoming a prison of his own making.

Desperate for answers, Mark delves into the history of his new home, uncovering a dark secret buried beneath the facade of normalcy. Decades ago, a tragedy befell the previous occupants, a young girl, her eyes gouged out in a ritualistic sacrifice.

Driven by fear and a gnawing sense of dread, Mark confronts the entity haunting his home. But the girl with no eyes is no mere specter; she is a manifestation of something far more sinister, a force that feeds on fear and despair.

In a final, desperate bid for freedom, Mark must unravel the mystery of the girl's death and confront the darkness that lurks within his own mind. Only then can he hope to break free from the endless cycle of terror and escape the clutches of the unseen.

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Blog 22: Concept Building

PERSONAL PROJECT: HELLO HANNAH

The major concept of the game was built around Dear David Incident.

References:

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Blog 21: Inspirations & References

PERSONAL PROJECT: HELLO HANNAH

A major step towards making a concept for Hello Hannah was watching gameplay videos. As the project is a mobile game, narrowing down to the concept of the game was difficult.

PT by Hideo Kojima was a major inspiration for the game as it was both convenient in the storyline I was bending to and was comparatively less work as well.

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Blog 20: Blueprint Recycling

LIVE BRIEF: ECHOES OF THE LABRYNTH

A major idea for the gameplay sequences was recycling the blueprints I have already made in the previous assignments. The following were the mechanics:

Movement

Health

Stamina

Shooting

Damage and Ragdoll

Though things were ready, it was not used because of the difference in the versions being used.

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Blog 19: Post Production

LIVE BRIEF: ECHOES OF THE LABRYNTH

Once all the sequences were made by the team, they were stitched together by me using premiere pro and the following is the final product.

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Blog 18: UI / UX II

LIVE BRIEF: ECHOES OF THE LABRYNTH

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Blog 17: UI / UX I

LIVE BRIEF: ECHOES OF THE LABRYNTH

The UI was designed as an overlay on top of animations.