# Horror/Backrooms

<figure><img src="https://1963719226-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FV8pr5EgDZn2rnTUJE8XB%2Fuploads%2F9wlRJDCnmj2AUh8BSbvi%2FBackroom%20Banner%20Render%20FINAL.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=7fc9cf66-9090-4c1a-9d67-3c5debd80407" 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="../game-rule-guide/hunger"><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://1963719226-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FV8pr5EgDZn2rnTUJE8XB%2Fuploads%2FZkc2LJ6QEK3TgkYspHOW%2Fimage.png?alt=media&#x26;token=f77c184f-4454-471a-9ad9-d0fa77558c48" alt="" width="563"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### **Variations of Horror**

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="survival"><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="../game-rule-guide/hunger">Hunger</a></li><li><a href="../../document/components/collectable">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](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/game-maker/document/behavior/post-process-effects) changes instead of a life meter)
> * Enemy sound: proximity
> * Dynamic audio
> * [Random](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/document/game-rules/rule-types#roll-a-random-number-1) events

### Useful Logic

* [**Weather Switcher**](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/game-maker/document/behavior/weather-switcher)
* [**Visual FX**](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/game-maker/document/components/visual-fx)
* [**Post Process Camera Effects**](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/game-maker/document/behavior/post-process-effects) and [**Camera perspective settings**](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/document/build-menus/top-bar/gameplay#camera)
* [**Play Sound**](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/game-maker/document/components/play-sound)
* [**Ambient music**](https://docs.sandbox.game/jp/creators/document/build-menus/top-bar/gameplay#music-theme)

## Template & Tutorial Videos (English)

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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