Vending machines rule, waiters suuuuuccckkk: so sayeth the "touchstone" of Bioshock creator Ken Levine's Judas
Bloody waiters. Asking you what you'd like to eat after you waltz into the restaurant at which they're employed. The absolute cheek of it. Why can't they just ingest my money and spit a vaguely edible chocolate bar out of their belly button? This is the central philosophy which s
Bloody waiters. Asking you what you'd like to eat after you waltz into the restaurant at which they're employed. The absolute cheek of it. Why can't they just ingest my money and spit a vaguely edible chocolate bar out of their belly button? This is the central philosophy which serves as the "touchstone" of BioShock creator Ken Levine's Judas and its protagonist, Judas.
Yep, there's another dev blog out for the BioShocky FPS in which you'll run around a colony ship and gradually force someone to dislike you so much they go full villain.
After developing and releasing 3 “Murder Is Game Over” titles in 2 years, I’ve had some time to pause and reflect on what I like most about each one. These are my thoughts on the series as a whole.
Best exploration – Murder Is Game Over
My initial concept for this game was to have a murder mystery that emphasized exploration much more inspired by RPGs than adventure games. In hindsight, the world design from the first game was well done in terms of giving the player freedom to move around the world at their choosing. The map shape is based on a series of interconnecting circles including the castle's ground floor, connecting the second floor and the sealed wing, and finally, a secret passage connecting the castle to the surrounding countryside. The method of murder also relies heavily on the way the map makes a seemingly inaccessible area easy to reach through a clever shortcut. Not only is the exploration mechanic effective for the player, but it also serves as part of the storytelling and narrative.
Which game in the series has my favorite villain? Find out in part 2 coming next!
I'm creating the fourth game in the series. Please wishlist it (link below). Thank you for your support!
Matt
https://store.steampowered.com/app/3046150/Murder_Is_Game_Over_The_Blackinton_Curse
🕵️♂️🐱 Detective Guy and Cleo are on the case, but even sleuths need a furry friend! 🐾 Join us in unraveling mysteries and making new pals along the way! 🎩✨
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Did you have a blast playing Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer? Your feedback means the world to us! Taking a moment to leave a review on Steam not only helps us enhance our game but also boosts our visibility, giving indie developers like us a chance to stand out. We're truly thankful for your support! 🌟🔍
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Meet Carol Winters, the savvy secretary at the heart of the chaos in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. She's not just a suspect – she's a whirlwind of office gossip and mysterious memos, with secrets as juicy as a ripe tomato!
Imagine this: Carol, with her trusty notepad and pencil, navigating the corporate labyrinth like a detective in a classic mystery novel. As the victim's secretary, she's seen it all – from mundane meetings to the scandalous secrets hidden in the company files!
But that's not all, folks! Carol's got more drama than a daytime soap opera! Concerned about the company's future under new leadership, she's been unraveling more than just her boss's schedule. She stumbled upon a threatening note sent to her boss just days before the unfortunate incident!
As our detective gang delves deeper into the case, Carol's office antics excite the mix. Will her secrets be spilled like coffee on a Monday morning, or will she remain the enigmatic secretary with more mysteries than a crossword puzzle?
Join us, detectives, as we unravel the tangled web of Carol Winters in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. It's a rollercoaster ride through the highs and lows of corporate life, where every twist brings us one step closer to cracking the case! 🕵️♀️📝
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Hey there, detectives! 👋 Did you have a blast uncovering clues and solving mysteries in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer? We'd love to hear your thoughts! Leaving a review on Steam helps us improve and boosts our visibility, giving indie devs like us a chance to shine. Your support means the world to us! 🌟🔍 🌟🎩
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Meet Gerry Small, the quirky Creative Director at Hack Division Games in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. He's more than just a suspect – he's a walking puzzle with a knack for getting tangled up in his web of creativity and chaos!
Picture this: Gerry, with his wild ideas and even wilder hair, juggling concepts like a circus performer on a unicycle. As Creative Director, he's the mastermind behind the games, but lately, he's been feeling the heat! The acquisition rumors have him sweating more than a game controller in a hot summer sun!
But that's not all, folks! Gerry's got skeletons in his closet deeper than a bottomless pit. He's haunted by the death of the company's game designer from MIGO1, the victim in this twisted tale. Talk about a plot twist!
As our detective gang unravels the mystery, Gerry's eccentricities add a splash of color to the canvas of suspects. Will his quirky personality be the key to unlocking the truth, or is he just another character in this pixelated whodunit?
Join us, detectives, as we navigate the wacky world of Gerry Small in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. It's a rollercoaster ride through the ups and downs of game development, where every twist brings us one step closer to cracking the case! 🎩🎨
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Introducing the White Lady, a specter of suspicion in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. With roots tracing back to medieval times, she's more than just your run-of-the-mill apparition – she's the stuff of regional legend, and her presence adds a supernatural twist to our detective escapade!
Imagine this: the White Lady, a timeless ghostly figure drifting through the mist-shrouded peaks of the Alps. She's not your average ectoplasmic entity – oh no! Legend has it she's a harbinger of doom in these mountainous realms, her eerie serenades echoing through blizzards like whispers from the beyond.
The White Lady's mystique is as thick as the fog that envelops the Alps. With each haunting wail, she sends shivers down spines and stirs imaginations with the promise of spectral secrets yet untold.
But could this ghostly figure be more than just folklore in our murder mystery? It's a twist worthy of a classic whodunit! Will our intrepid detectives unravel the truth behind her ethereal presence, or will her secrets remain as enigmatic as the Alpine mists?
Join us, detectives, as we tread the shadowy paths of legend and lore in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer, where every echo and whisper could hold the key to unlocking the mystery! 🏔️🕵️♂️
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Meet Sandra Berg, the ex-executive turned suspect in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. She's got more twists and turns than a rollercoaster ride, and her recent antics at the party are raising eyebrows faster than you can say "whodunit!"
Imagine this: Sandra, the former bigwig at the game publisher, crashing the party uninvited like a wrecking ball with a side of drama. She's got style, flair, and a bone to pick with the late victim that's juicier than a mystery novel!
Sandra's recent termination from the company wasn't exactly a walk in the park. She made quite the scene – threatening the victim in public like a character straight out of a dramatic soap opera! But was it all just for show, or does Sandra have a motive as big as her bold personality?
As our detective gang delves deeper into the case, Sandra's larger-than-life presence adds a splash of intrigue to the mix. Will her secrets be spilled like punch at a party, or will they remain hidden behind her dazzling smile?
Join us, detectives, as we uncover the drama behind Sandra Berg in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. It's a wild ride through the twists and turns of corporate chaos, where every clue leads to a surprise! 🎉🔍
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Meet Anna Russo, the spirited proprietor of a quaint Alpine hotel in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. From cozy rooms to creaky floors, her hotel's got charm – and maybe a ghost or two! As a suspect, Anna's got more secrets than a haunted mansion's hidden passages.
Imagine this: Anna, with her mischievous smile and a twinkle in her eye, welcoming guests to her charming hotel nestled in the shadow of the mysterious Alps. But lately, business has taken a nosedive, thanks to rumors of supernatural shenanigans scaring away visitors faster than you can say "spooky!"
Anna's hotel is said to be haunted – and she's not afraid to lean into the eerie atmosphere! Could it be that her business troubles are just a cover for something more mysterious? Or is Anna simply caught up in a web of ghostly gossip?
As our detective gang investigates, Anna's playful demeanor adds a dash of humor to the proceedings. Will her secrets be revealed in the light of day, or will they remain hidden in the shadows of the haunted Alps?
Join us, detectives, as we unravel the mystery of Anna Russo in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. It's a rollercoaster ride through the haunted halls of the Alps, where every creak and groan tells a tale! 🏔️🕵️♂️
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
🏞️🕵️♂️ Embark on an adventure in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer! Our dynamic detective duo explores a mysterious cave, unearthing relics that could reveal the secrets of the Alps. What mysteries lie within? 🕵️♀️🗝️ 🏔️🔍
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Meet Ned Dillman, Esq., the slick lawyer with more tricks up his sleeve than a magician in "Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer." As the legal eagle representing computer conglomerate Comp Inc., Ned's got contracts to ink and acquisitions to seal. But what's really lurking inside that mysterious briefcase of his?
Picture this: Ned, strutting through the Alps with his briefcase clutched tight, exuding lawyerly charm and a hint of mystery. He's the man with the plan, the master of negotiations, and the suspect with a secret just waiting to be uncovered!
Ned's not just any attorney – he's the one who brokered the acquisition deal for the victim's game publishing business. Coincidence? We think not! Could his briefcase hold clues to the murder, or is it just packed with legal papers and the occasional snack?
As our detective gang unravels the case, Ned's smooth-talking ways add a dash of courtroom drama to the Alps. Will his legal expertise crack under pressure, revealing the truth hidden within the folds of his fancy suit? One thing's for sure: Ned Dillman, Esq. is a character with more layers than a legal brief!
Join us, detectives, as we dissect Ned's story in "Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer." It's a legal thriller where every objection and objectionable item counts! 🎩📜
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Meet Ty Lipson, the brawny bodyguard-turned-suspect in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. Former professional boxer turned security muscle, Ty's got muscles for days, but also a grudge that could rival his boss's business ambitions.
Imagine this: Ty, once the impenetrable shield to the late Billy Kramer I, now finds himself in the suspicious spotlight. Was it a knockout punch of revenge, or was Ty just caught in the crossfire of corporate chaos? Rumor has it that the Alps might be hiding more than just snow – maybe even a ghost or two!
Ty's got a fear as big as his biceps: ghosts. As our detective gang digs deeper, Ty's jittery demeanor adds a dash of comedic suspense to the investigation. Will the fear of the supernatural crack Ty's tough exterior and reveal his motives, or is he just a fighter caught in a punchline?
Join us, detectives, as we step into the ring with Ty Lipson, a character with more layers than a boxing glove, in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. It's a pixelated whodunit where every jab, hook, and ghostly squeak counts! 💪👻
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
❄️🏔️ With Murder Is Game Over: Streaming Death I wanted to introduce the idea of being chased around by a “ghost” like in Scooby-Doo. In the second half of that game, Elias Abel (actually the killer in disguise) randomly appears while exploring and moves toward the player. The easy difficulty mode is very straightforward. The hard difficulty mode also randomizes the time before the ghost appears so that it’s much more unexpected. The world map is designed to provide lots of opportunities for being chased, and lots of space to maneuver around an aggressive ghost.
With Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer instead of going big, the concept was to go small spaces. I wanted the player to get the feeling of claustrophobia and being stuck in a small hotel with nowhere to go. There’s little room for a ghostly crook to hide or sneak around. So this concept got me thinking about what other mechanics I could use for a hero or villain to trick people.
That’s how I came up with the new costume mechanic for this new game in the series. Just because there’s no space to hide doesn’t mean there aren’t other ways that a person can be deceptive. Partway through the game, our detectives discover a trove of costumes that Guy can wear as a disguise. The disguises will prompt instances of mistaken identity and different (sometimes extremely silly) reactions from suspects. The costume theme might also play an essential part in how the crime was committed, and how the detective solves the case.
Do you prefer being chased around a village by a spooky ghost, or being stuck in a mountain top chalet during a blizzard with nowhere to go? As the Murder Is Game Over series continues to evolve, my goal is to come up with different gameplay concepts and mechanics that make each title feel different and unique. 🥸
Thanks for reading!
Matt (indiedev of Murder Is Game Over series)
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Step into the heart of the storm at our Italian Alps lodge in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. The snow is falling, and secrets are swirling in the air! 🌨️❄️ Will the storm reveal hidden truths or bury the clues deeper? Bundle up, detectives – it's about to get chilly! ❄️🏔️
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
Meet Lana Kramer, the estranged daughter of the late Billy Kramer I in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. By day, she's a pro costume designer; by night, she's navigating the snowy Italian Alps with her estranged relationship with dear old dad.
As Lana whirls through the Alps, the pixels of her past and present collide. It's a pixelated drama where every frame holds a secret, and Lana's tale adds a splash of intrigue to the snowy canvas of Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. What threads of mystery will be unraveled as Lana becomes a suspect in our pixelated adventure? Stay tuned! ✨🎮
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/
As our pixelated heroes reach the lodge, the stage is set for a murder mystery that will challenge their detective skills amidst the stunning Alps. Will they crack the case, or will the secrets of the lodge remain hidden beneath the snowy beauty?
Get ready to hit play on this animated Alpine escapade, setting the tone for the thrilling detective adventure that awaits in Murder Is Game Over: Deal Killer. 🎮 🏔️ 🚀
https://store.steampowered.com/app/2478850/Murder_Is_Game_Over_Deal_Killer/