> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.sandbox.game/en/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.sandbox.game/en/creator/game-maker/creative-guides/experience-guide/horror-backrooms.md).

# Horror / Backrooms

<figure><img src="https://331512196-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn%2Fuploads%2FReKmNOSpaOlE2uIcJeT3%2FBackroom%20Banner%20Render%20FINAL.jpg?alt=media&amp;token=9cf25e5d-ea8e-4c34-8ef3-155c2c7d5081" alt=""><figcaption><p>Backrooms game genre</p></figcaption></figure>

Horror games revolve around a tense, creepy, and/or horrifying atmosphere. Prepare for jump scares!

Backrooms games are a type of horror game that come from the creepypasta story which consists of an infinite maze of a windowless office painted in yellow in which unseen creatures can be found.

## Characteristics

***Escape!***

Find a way to get out... if you can survive.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>HIGH ALERT TENSION</strong></td><td><p><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f3a8">🎨</span> Immersive art &#x26; light</p><p><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="2728">✨</span> Camera, VFX &#x26; sound</p></td><td></td></tr><tr><td><strong>EXPLORE &#x26; SURVIVE</strong></td><td><p><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f96a">🥪</span> Find simple resources</p><ul><li>health</li><li><a href="/en/creator/game-maker/creative-guides/game-rules-guide/hunger.md"><strong>hunger Rules preset</strong></a></li></ul></td><td><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f6e1">🛡️</span> Evade enemies hunting</td></tr><tr><td><strong>PROBLEM SOLVE</strong></td><td><p><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f50d">🔍</span> Find clues to unfold a mysterious narrative</p><p><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f9e9">🧩</span> Solve puzzles to escape</p></td><td></td></tr></tbody></table>

#### Keys of Success

* **Everyone Can Play -** Explore the space, solve puzzles
* **Immersive -** Revolves around generating fear and tension
* **Play for Long -** Endless replay value through random mazes, monster AI, cooperative play, etc.

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>NEED TO HAVE</strong></td><td><ul><li>Mood: sound, light, VFX, scenery, and enemies to put players on edge</li><li>Narrative mystery/puzzle to unfold</li><li>Survival equipment &#x26; consumables</li></ul></td></tr><tr><td><strong>NICE TO HAVE</strong></td><td><ul><li>Jump scares timed when players feel relatively safe or distracted</li><li>Finding physical evidence that unravels the narrative (audio, documents, etc)</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

## Game Loops

Below is a general game loop diagram for this genre. Your game's loops may vary.

<figure><img src="https://331512196-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F83PS3g9zpWmq73xzlwFn%2Fuploads%2FHxZ6goPFyO8EqkOoYzYu%2FHorror%20Gameplay%20Loops.png?alt=media&amp;token=156942f6-4a1e-4ec4-b24e-6488c566eabf" alt="" width="563"><figcaption><p>Horror/Backrooms</p></figcaption></figure>

### **Variations of Horror**

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="/en/creator/game-maker/creative-guides/experience-guide/survival.md"><strong>Survival</strong></a> <strong>Horror:</strong> <br>Emphasis on survival, limited resources, and atmospheric tension.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Psychological Horror:</strong> <br>Focuses on psychological fear and mind-bending scenarios (e.g, Backrooms)</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Action Horror:</strong> <br>Blends horror elements with fast-paced action and combat.</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Learn to Create It

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>GAME MAKER TEMPLATE</strong></td><td><img src="https://lh7-us.googleusercontent.com/z1gAQMtcQI7J-RmcksvwNYhk3g6XJhPSy5FtjPa1TkAsRf-OZyDZ5RLylvo-I_9O-u4XjIAm5Jppff8QiluZ7IrMZTN2E-dN6sBmc0DpDSwpzljUFzNRKQvB3r3Ch1C67rR4cW99wNNGCRYctDCQ5GpzSQ=s2048" alt=""></td></tr><tr><td><strong>LOGIC TO EXPLORE</strong></td><td><ul><li><a href="/en/creator/game-maker/creative-guides/game-rules-guide/hunger.md">Hunger</a></li><li><a href="/en/creator/game-maker/docs/components/actions/collectable.md">Consumables</a>/effects</li><li>Life meter on HUD</li><li>Object interactions</li></ul></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Make it More Interesting

Consider ways to add to or change the core structure of this game type to challenge and motivate players differently.

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>MAIN OBJECTIVE</strong></td><td><p>⚰️ Kill count</p><p>🐣 Find easter eggs</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>RAMP OF DIFFICULTY</strong></td><td><p>🧠 Sanity metric</p><p>⏳  Time limited actions<br><span data-gb-custom-inline data-tag="emoji" data-code="1f34f">🍏</span> Resource scarcity</p></td></tr><tr><td><strong>CORE DECISIONS</strong></td><td><p>🚫 Using a resource may block branching options</p><p>🧩 Simple ciphers, codes</p></td></tr></tbody></table>

> **PRACTICE: Modify The Backrooms template to increase the fun:**
>
> * Intuitive health (e.g., [camera](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/behaviours/visual/post-process-effects.md) changes instead of a life meter)
> * Enemy sound: proximity
> * Dynamic audio
> * [Random](broken://pages/wxyT9IaJUEbf3SM3EFg3#roll-a-random-number-1) events

### Useful Logic

* [**Weather Switcher**](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/behaviours/visual/weather-switcher.md)
* [**Visual FX**](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/components/display/visual-fx.md)
* [**Post Process Camera Effects**](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/behaviours/visual/post-process-effects.md) and [**Camera perspective settings**](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/build-menus/top-bar/gameplay.md#camera)
* [**Play Sound**](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/components/audio/play-sound.md)
* [**Ambient music**](/en/creator/game-maker/docs/build-menus/top-bar/gameplay.md#music-theme)

## Template & Tutorial Videos

Open the Game Maker Backrooms Template for logic included in the tutorials below.

View Backrooms Game Jam entries in the Game Maker Gallery for examples of this genre.

### How to Make Walls Appear & Disappear

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/JFf4-Paf5mI?feature=shared>" %}

### Light Up Areas with a Torch

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/M3dpHuCb-E0?feature=shared>" %}

### Roaming Entity Mechanic

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/S8x9uEJa7U4?feature=shared>" %}

### Slowly Die in Toxic Cloud

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/o8p5oyGOFDU?feature=shared>" %}

### Pick Up and Read Documents

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/t7_rQDjgGIo?feature=shared>" %}

### Combination Lock

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/KP1BGE8zRug?feature=shared>" %}

### Custom Death Scene

{% embed url="<https://youtu.be/zIqn2DhoOHs?feature=shared>" %}

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