Scrylight: A Game for Ghost Enthusiast
Fans of horror games will find the concept of Scrylight fascinating. Scrylight: An Augmented Reality Ghost Hunt Horror Experience is an AR game that lets players experience hauntings wherever they go. The game currently has a Kickstarter campaign running. I recently interviewed Spectropia Studios founders Thom Burgess and Ben Hamlett, about coming up with the idea for an augmented reality horror game.
Q: How did you come up with the idea for Scrylight?
A: Thom – So I’d been toying with the idea of an augmented reality ghost-hunting game for a while. Something which would simulate a ghost hunt and allow a user to communicate with a ghost. I’d also been interested in seeing if a game could integrate with smart devices so a player could be ‘haunted’ in real-time. I’d started writing a story around the concept, centered on an occultist who used light techniques to see ghosts. But it was always the limit on technology and what I knew was possible, which held the idea back.
By happenstance, after working with Ben on Scrylight, he approached me with a demo of a game which effectively turned Photoghasts into an augmented reality ghost hunting game. I was totally taken aback by how creepy it instantly made the idea and so we discussed how, rather than linking it with Photoghasts, we develop the concept further and extend it. From there, it just grew and grew.
Q: What do you hope players take away from playing Scrylight?
A: Ben – We aspire for our players to emerge from their Scrylight gaming sessions with captivating tales to share with their friends, recounting the intriguing entities they crossed paths with and the enthralling narratives they unraveled (and hopefully be suitably unnerved.)
Q: Considering Scrylight’s theme, I’m assuming you’re a horror fan. What’s your favorite horror game?
A: Thom – That’s an understatement – ha! There’s SO, SO many. I know I’ll end up leaving out so many looking back on this. I grew up on a diet of Alone in the Dark, Darkseed, Blood (huge fan), 7th Guest, etc. In more recent years, I’ve really enjoyed games which mess with your expectations and push the boundaries. I’ve loved (and equally hated) playing Five Nights at Freddy’s: Help Wanted on Quest. Taking it into VR was a genius (and terrifying move.) The scaling really throws you. Dreadhalls, too, is masterfully paced.
On the indie game tip last Christmas, I sat down and played through the entire Faith trilogy by Airdorf. What they did with such a limited range of colors and tech is frankly astounding. It remains one of the most creepy game experiences I’ve ever played. So, for now, I’ll say Faith…but that’s likely to change.
Q: What can players expect in terms of gameplay?
A: Ben – Scrylight offers a fully immersive AR experience, where your surroundings become the playing field, and virtual entities interact seamlessly with your environment. As a player, your mission is to gather crucial evidence about these fascinating entities, all while dodging potential encounters with them. It’s worth noting that each entity you encounter will have its own unique behavior—some might be completely harmless, while others might exhibit a more curious or even predatory nature, making each gameplay session an exciting adventure filled with surprises!
Q: What aspect of the game most excites you?
A: Ben – We’re absolutely thrilled by everything Scrylight has to offer, but if I had to pick, I’d say our ScryEngine and seamless smart device integrations are the real highlights!
Q:Will players learn more about Jeremiah Scry and his book for interacting with the dead as they play?
A: Thom – Yes, they will. There’s a whole quest in the game where you’re unravelling what happened to Jeremiah. There’s also an accompanying book and comic, which we’re hoping to be able to fund and really give an insight into the dark story behind Scrylight. We’ve a huge world we’d love to tell, if the Kickstarter campaign allows us to do so!
Q: What do you find to be the most difficult part of developing a game as an indie developer?
A: Thom – I think marketing is a huge challenge, especially on a budget. You can have the best game in the world, but if no one knows about it, then you’ll never sell a copy. It’s phenomenal how games such as PT have really pushed themselves to get such attention on shoestring budgets. That’s always so hard when you’re balancing it against developing and writing the game. You really have to think outside the box and ensure you’re doing everything in your power to get exposure to your game without compromising on actually building it.
Q: What prompted you to launch Spectropia Studios?
A: Ben – Our desire from the start was to create games and experiences that not only captivate players but also provide an engaging experience. We’ve got several other projects in the works, from virtual tours to gaming and are keen to see how far we can push player immersion.
Q: What advice would you give to individuals looking to break into the game industry?
A: Thom – I would say just do it. Find like-minded people and jump in. I’ve been lucky to collaborate with some great developers already working on horror games, such as Pylons with Teebowah Games – and it’s been a joy working on Scrylight with Ben, who both understands horror and is a genius dev. Don’t wait for someone to invite you; come up with a concept which you feel is strong enough and one which you feel you’ll remain passionate about, map it out and then get going. The longer the wait, the more chance someone else will release theirs before yours.
Q: For a bit of fun, if you could go back in time and experience any video game for the first time, which
A: Ben – That’s a fantastic question, and I must say, my all-time favorite game has to be The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. It was the very first game that truly captured my heart, immersing me in its captivating world, endearing characters, and epic storyline. It was a pivotal moment for me, sparking my passion for game dev.
Scrylight’s Kickstarter campaign is currently underway. If you’re interested in supporting the project head over to the campaign page. And with any luck Hardcore iOS will be reviewing the game upon its release.
