The Dark Within (Student Project)
Timeline: 2 weeks - May 2025
1. About:
The Dark Within is a horror game about a child who wakes up in a dark house after the lights suddenly go out. Armed with only a small flashlight, the player must explore the house, restore the lights, and find their missing parents.
The game explores the fear of darkness and childhood imagination, where ordinary objects and shadows can become frightening monsters. Players must use the flashlight, hide from monsters, and explore the house while trying not to remain in darkness for too long.
2. ROLE: Researcher
3. Research Process:
Phase 1 - Understanding fear
Researching why people fear the dark.
Fear may be learned through genetics or by copying others' fear.
Phase 2 - Looking for Existing Game
Little Nightmares, Limbo, Rain World, Shadow Under the Bed, Inside, BOKURA.
Learning how the game works and what makes it a horror game.
Phase 3 - From research to design direction
Through research, horror should come from the child’s perception of darkness, rather than simply placing monsters everywhere
Idea: “What if the darkness itself becomes the source of the player’s fear?“
Create a mechanic where the flashlight becomes the player’s source of safety, while darkness lingers with monsters.
4. What i learns:
Developed skills in game research and comparative analysis.
Learned how to turn research findings into practical game design ideas.
Learned how psychological concepts can influence horror game design.