Welcome back to the development journey of Silent Corruption! As a solo indie developer, it’s been an exciting few months of progress, challenges, and learning. For those unfamiliar, Silent Corruption is a 90s-inspired survival horror game with a modern twist—think Silent Hill meets The Long Dark, set in a town trapped in eternal darkness, similar to the Upside Down from Stranger Things.

In this update, I’ll share what I’ve been working on recently, from core mechanics to story development, and give you a glimpse into what’s coming next!

What is Silent Corruption?

For those new here, Silent Corruption is a survival horror game designed to capture the essence of 90s horror classics while incorporating modern survival elements. You’ll manage hunger, thirst, and sleep as you navigate Harrowgate—a cursed town filled with unpredictable monsters and dark secrets.

Recent Progress

1. Gameplay Mechanics

Core gameplay systems are at the heart of this update. Here’s what I’ve been working on:

• Character Controller: Jane can now walk, run, and crouch smoothly, with controls optimised for fixed-camera transitions.
• Player Needs System: Managing hunger, thirst, and sleep adds layers of strategy and immersion to the gameplay.
• Inventory System: The inventory is grid-based, inspired by classic survival horror, and includes item examination, usage, and combination. It’s still in development, but it’s shaping up to be a key part of the game’s tension.
• Interaction System: Players can now interact with items and objects contextually, making exploration intuitive and rewarding.

2. Art and Animation

• Jane’s Character Model: Fully rigged and animated, with basic movements implemented (walking, running, crouching).
• Whiteboxing: The first area of Harrowgate is in the whiteboxing phase, allowing me to test layouts, pacing, and gameplay flow before diving into detailed assets.

3. Story and Atmosphere

Harrowgate continues to take shape as a town filled with both supernatural and human-made horrors. Jane’s story of resilience and hope is central to the experience, and I’ve been refining how her journey ties into the game’s themes of neglect, abuse, and survival.

Atmosphere is key to Silent Corruption. I’m focusing on:

• Unpredictable Monsters: Encounters are never the same, keeping players on edge. Monsters might be aggressive, passive, or avoidant, making every interaction terrifying.
• Immersive Combat: Combat mechanics are designed to feel responsive and impactful, avoiding the clunkiness of older survival horror titles while still making players feel vulnerable.

What’s Next?

As I move forward, here’s what’s on the horizon:

• Prototype Completion: My goal is to finish the prototype by February 2025. This will include a fully playable section of the game with polished core mechanics and an atmospheric showcase of Harrowgate.
• Vertical Slice: From March 2025, I’ll work on refining the gameplay and visuals to create a vertical slice that captures the full essence of Silent Corruption.
• Story and Environment Development: I’ll dive deeper into fleshing out the town of Harrowgate, its lore, and its visual design.

Your feedback and support are invaluable as I continue to bring Silent Corruption to life. Whether it’s sharing your thoughts, following the devlogs, or simply cheering me on, it means the world to me.

Thank you for following along. I can’t wait to share more updates as the project progresses. Together, let’s make Silent Corruption a survival horror experience to remember!