The Story

In an ambitious venture to redefine multiplayer horror gaming, approached us to develop a unique survival game. The concept centered around a group of friends investigating an abandoned mansion, with gameplay transitioning through distinct phases - from initial exploration to a nail-biting escape. The game needed to seamlessly blend cooperative gameplay with progressive horror elements while maintaining technical stability for multiplayer interactions.

The Witching Hours was born from the idea that true terror is amplified when you face it with friends, where every decision and every moment of courage shapes your collective fate.

Yash Pancholi

Technical Lead

Challenges

• > Implementing dynamic difficulty scaling based on player count and progress.

• > Creating responsive multiplayer synchronization for real-time interactions.

• > Balancing puzzle complexity with time constraints.

• > Developing AI for adaptive ghost behavior during the cursed hour.

• > Ensuring smooth transition between game phases while maintaining tension.

The Solution

We developed a robust multiplayer framework that supported seamless cooperative gameplay while implementing sophisticated AI systems for enemy behavior. The game mechanics were carefully crafted to maintain suspense through progressive difficulty scaling, with particular attention to resource distribution and puzzle complexity. We integrated a dynamic time management system that controlled the intensity of supernatural encounters and coordinated player activities during crucial phases.

The Outcome

The game successfully launched with overwhelmingly positive player feedback, particularly praised for its innovative cooperative mechanics and atmospheric tension. Players especially appreciated the smooth multiplayer experience and the dynamic difficulty adjustment system, which ensured consistent challenge levels regardless of group size. The game achieved its goal of creating an immersive horror experience that encouraged teamwork while maintaining individual player engagement.