Hey everyone! I’m Ignas, the main developer behind Graveyard Gunslingers, and I’m excited that my game is part of the upcoming Steam Scream Fest! As Steam’s spookiest event approaches, I wanted to take a moment to share the story of how Graveyard Gunslingers came to life.
THE ORIGIN
Exactly two years ago, on a cold October evening, I was decorating my house for Halloween. I remember hanging fake spider webs and carving a scary pumpkin. The crisp air was filled with the autumn smell of leaves and wood smoke, and as I worked, my mind started to wander.
"What game should I make next?" That question had been haunting me, creeping into every quiet moment, like a ghost lurking in the shadows. I was thinking about a horror game or something close to it. Definitely something spooky. Then I remembered my first playthroughs of classic survivor-style shooters, and my mind went deeper into that genre. But how could I put my own spin on it?
I wanted something more than just the usual bullet-hell shooter. There were so many of those out there that mine would have to be different—something with that eerie, suspenseful Halloween vibe. And then it hit me.
A bullet-hell game with a dynamic day-night cycle. By day, players could roam freely through a spooky, randomly generated wilderness, harvesting resources and upgrading skills. A quiet, eerie calm would settle over the game during the daylight hours, allowing players to explore and prepare for the night to come. And when night finally fell? That’s when the zombies would rise, turning it into a bullet-hell nightmare—a full-on zombie massacre with explosions, gunfire, and waves of the undead swarming in.
The more I thought about it, the clearer the vision became. A blend of classic Halloween suspense and explosive action, with a chill daytime atmosphere that would give way to intense, heart-pounding survival each night. By the time I’d put up the last of the decorations, the idea was fully formed, as vivid as the pumpkin face I was carving.
This idea evolved so much during actual development, but I still remember that chilly October night as the one when Graveyard Gunslingers was truly born. I hope you enjoyed reading about its origin—and maybe it even inspires you to play my game, or try out a few more spooky games this season.
And for anyone as excited as I am, don’t forget: Graveyard Gunslingers releases on November 8th, just a couple of weeks away! So mark your calendars, grab your best gear, and get ready to face the wilderness, where day fades to night and the undead rise.
Cheers, and have a fantastically spooky Halloween! 🎃👻