Hello There! I’m excited to share some insights into the creation of my game, which started as an exploration of how to blend vampiric lore with unique, human-centric mechanics. The concept drew inspiration from classic vampire films like Let Me In and Bram Stoker’s Dracula, and I initially thought about emphasizing the sensual, almost intimate nature of vampire stories. I even considered making the game for adults, but that direction didn’t fully materialize.

Inspiration and Core Concept

The final concept leaned more into the spirit of I Am Legend, where the protagonist is a relic of a nearly extinct society. I wanted to create a game mechanic where forming bonds between players was literal, involving physical contact. The core idea was to make players engage with each other by touching—something we rarely do in non-intimate contexts. I found the concept playful and almost childlike, which helped keep the mood lighthearted and avoided any overtly sexual themes. My hope was to create an atmosphere reminiscent of children’s games, where contact is innocent and fun.

Challenges

One of the biggest hurdles was balancing the game. I wanted to design it so that a single player could stand against a “brotherhood” of players, representing vampires, which turned out to be more difficult than expected. The game currently works, but I believe this aspect could still use some refinement to ensure fairness while keeping it fun.

Ideas That Stayed on Paper

There were several ideas I wanted to implement but didn’t have the chance to fully explore:

Artwork: Improving the game’s visual design is something I hope to focus on in future iterations. I didn’t have access to a dedicated artist at the time, which limited the final look of the game.

Player Titles: I had imagined creating in-game titles that players could earn based on their achievements, such as being the last human standing, in homage to I Am Legend. Other titles might reflect more romantic outcomes, like if you end the game with a partner.

Minimalistic Version: I had also prototyped a minimalist version of the game that could be played with just two dice and some paper with roles written out. This was the foundation of the game, a simple yet versatile setup that allowed me to test out the core mechanics quickly.

Alcoholic Version: For more mature players, I had considered adding a drinking-game variant where, for instance, every time someone joined the “brotherhood” (vampires), all players would toast with a Bloody Mary cocktail. This idea stayed in the brainstorming phase, but I think it could make for a fun twist.

What’s Next?

In future versions, I hope to improve the artwork, refine the gameplay balance, and possibly revisit some of the unfinished ideas, like the title system and simplified modes. I want the game to be accessible, yet full of depth, with fun and engaging variations for different types of players.

Thanks for following along with this development journey! Stay tuned for future updates, and I hope you enjoy the game as much as I enjoyed making it!