I started working on my game back in 2017, but, to be honest, my lack of time and skills made it hard to keep the momentum going. It wasn’t until earlier this year that I finally got the chance to revisit the project, reassess everything I’d worked on, and really dive back into development.
Since then, I’ve poured countless hours into researching what makes a truly great horror experience, as well as learning how to craft an engaging story with characters that players can actually connect with. My goal is to create something truly special, and in this post, I want to show you everything I’ve done so far!
The Journey So Far
If you’ve seen my other video about the challenges of solo game development, you’ll know I’ve had quite the journey. But for those who haven’t, here’s a quick overview of how things have unfolded.
2017: It all started with a simple idea for a horror game. This idea sparked my interest in game development, but at the time, I had zero skills. I didn’t know anything about game design, coding, 3D art, or Unity. So, I put the game on hold and focused on learning all the things I needed to get started.
2018: I ended up taking a job with Ryanair as cabin crew, which relocated me to the UK. During the next few years, I bounced between jobs due to health issues, which made it tough to focus on game development. Despite this, I didn’t stop learning. I kept experimenting and working on the game when I could, although I wasn’t able to dedicate the time I wanted.
2024: After years of learning and facing personal challenges, I finally found myself in a stable enough position to fully commit to game development. So, I decided to return to the first game idea I ever had: my survival horror game, Silent Corruption.
Game Design & Narrative Evolution
The game has gone through a lot of changes over the years. At first, it was called Parasites, then The Lurk, and now it’s finally settled on Silent Corruption. The setting has evolved too; initially, it was set in Russia, but I decided to move the story to the UK. This shift made the story feel more relatable and helped the setting fit better with the overall narrative.
I’ve also rewritten the game design document at least five times. Each time, I tweaked the game mechanics, the story, and other elements until I was happier with how things were coming together. I’ve scrapped a lot of ideas along the way, but every change and iteration has been important. It’s helped shape the game into what it is today, and I’m glad I took the time to make all those adjustments.
The Art of Silent Corruption
The main character, Jane, has undergone several transformations over the years. The first version of her was created back in August 2021—fun fact, she was actually called Shasha at that point! However, I never fully completed that version.
Then, from December 2022 to January 2023, I worked on a second iteration while I was enrolled in an online game art school called Vertex. This version was mainly for my portfolio, so I wasn’t focusing too much on the game itself at that stage.
Finally, from June to September 2024, I created the current version of Jane. Honestly, I’m not 100% satisfied with her right now. I had to rush the design and production a bit to have something I could use for the prototype. For instance, the textures still need a lot of work. After I finish the prototype, I plan to revisit her design. I’m thinking of incorporating some elements from the previous version since it had more personality and felt closer to what I originally envisioned for Jane.
What’s Next for Silent Corruption?
As I continue development, there’s still a lot of work ahead. But I feel like I’m finally on the right track. The progress I’ve made this year has been monumental, and I’m more excited than ever to see where this game will go.
Thanks for following along on this journey. I can’t wait to share more updates with you as the game continues to evolve. Stay tuned for more!
