[Scream Jam 2019] [Juanjo] HOUSEBOUND

Hi there!

First off sorry, for not to say nothing here about this project and my participation in this jam, I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to finish on time... but I finally made it.


Housebound is a short experience of horror and paranormal events set in an old house. The game has been created only by me in a few days for Scream Jam 2019.


For more details and images, you can visit the page on Itch.io:
https://blurredgames.itch.io/housebound

Unfortunately only jam participants can vote, I always hate that rule... But if you play it, it would be nice to leave a comment with your impressions ;-)

Although this project seems short and simple, it has helped me to deepen programming, and I have learned more than I thought, so another successful jam!

Yeah! I posted it on Facebook during the afternoon
You're amazing Juanjo! How many jams did you do?

Also I read a comment by @Yazorius on the game page and I totally agree with him, you are making impressive progress all the time, and it's really visible now. Can't wait to see where this will take you...

Simon, thank you so much for post in Facebook, and thanks for your kind words!

Yeah, Yaz is very kind with his comment in the page... I'm blushed, hehehe.

You are very productive Juanjo, good work

Hahaha, thanks Yves, the secret is not to sleep... so for an AI is easy to be productive

You'r a good robot,I hope you'll be ready to beat upcoming nextgen IA

Looks Great Juanjo. Have downloaded, but haven't yet got to play it. I will definitely add comments where I can, when I can!

Thanks Roger!

I hope you can play it without problems, some people have experienced performance problems due to graphic quality... Apparently, a powerful computer is needed.

In any case, in the "Options" menu, you can select the graphic quality, I always advise to choose a low option and try it.

Please tell me when you play, I wait for your comments

Do you think i can survive to the experience if I try to play?

Mmm... I'm not sure Simon, but if you play, do it with the lights on, hehehe.

Oh my god, ok I'm warned.

I will.... PLAY TO THE DEAD

I can't wait to read your comments...

OMG I'VE PLAYED THE GAME AND FINISHED IT, AM I DEAD?



Juanjo, well done, it was an impressive experience. I can't do anything else but say how much I am impressed... Making this in only 10 days??? Seriously?

The graphics are excellent as usual, but the most impressive are your progress with the settings. There's really an evolution in the "story", a progression. And it's very good, the pressure is increasing seriously for the player.

Everything begins in an old "normal" house, but step after step, we discover strange things and until the nightmare begins. The worst was this shadow of man at the end of the corridor, staring at me, and then suddenly he disapears and everything becomes weird! Very well done.

I hope you will get good results from this Jam, you deserve to win.

Hahaha, thanks for making the effort and playing, I really appreciate it!

And thanks for the comments about the design of the game, I think that the ambient sound part is the one that I have worked and learned the most but I have also learned a lot about programming.

This jam has been amazing, in addition, for the support received from everyone!

Right now, Housebound is in the top 10 of the most popular games on Itch.io and almost 500 downloads, this is unbelievable!!

Those are great news Juanjo, you deserve this success. You worked very hard, I know it.

You know what you have to do now! More!

Hahaha, thanks Simon, I'm still resting for Icehouse Jam... I want to do my best

Juanjo, don't worry I haven't forgotten about you .

I hope to have an opportunity to play it very soon, preferably at night with the lights off and using headphones!

I'll report back with my thoughts if I survive the night!

No worries Josiah, take your time and choose the best moment, I wait for your impressions

Oh wow Juanjo! You continue to improve jam after jam.

I really enjoyed this one, not knowing what to expect around every corner definitely creates a feeling of unease. The atmosphere was spot on! The unexpected things that happen were perfectly placed. I've always preferred psychological horror games over gore and violence. You definitely hit the nail on the head with this one. (Do I sense some PT inspiration?)

Thanks Josiah for your comments! I'm glad you like it  

Like you, I think psychological terror can be much more scary than violent or gore. For this reason in my last projects for jam I have wanted to play with the sounds, the atmosphere and with what is not seen... the mind can be our worst enemy.

I think I'm ready to collaborate with Stephen King and create a game based on one of his books, don't you think?

And yes, I was inspired by P.T. and Resident Evil 7.

The mind is the playground of the best writers, artists, etc. The threat of something is far more frightening than the actuality!

Totally agree with you guys. This psychological horror is working better than the usual action/blood/violence games. It doesn't mean I'm not scared (on the contrary it's worst!) but it's very convincing

Here is an interesting discussion... I've always thought that abusing jumpscares and easy scares in the end do the opposite, the player gets used to it and the game becomes predictable. But what if you keep the player in tension all the time because he senses what can happen but doesn't see it? That's the question.

Of course it has to be well thought, you have to be clever in the way you use the psychological horror events. In Housebound it was gradual, the fear was increasing step by step until a climax. You have to do that at least... It doesn't mean there cannot be action/blood/violence, but at least you could try to build your future games like you did here for this Jam.

Also it depends on the players.... Some will not be scared in Housebound because they can't die/lose. In my case I was taking it as an interactive movie, so it was working well.

Of course, that's my opinion, but as you say, there are players for everything.