Hello,
It ended up being a longer journey than we expected, but what a journey it has been. We're happy to announce that the full release version of Nightmare Side: The Game will be released on May 30th.
When we first teamed up with Ardan Radio to adapt their beloved horror show, Nightmare Side, we knew we had a big responsibility. For decades, this show has captured the eerie essence of Bandung City, and we couldn't take creative liberties lightly.
Initially, we planned to simply add the Nightmare Side title to our existing game design, aiming for a Halloween 2023 release. However, we decided to scrap the original design to honor the IP and its fans properly. We conducted interviews with Ardan Radio's staff and gathered stories, deciding to set the game in the haunted radio station itself. This turned out to be a bigger task than we envisioned due to the complex architecture.
We released the game in Early Access, and while it’s not perfect, we’re happy with the reception from Indonesian and local fans. However, the PC gaming market in Indonesia proved challenging, and we noticed a gap between international and local audiences.
We initially planned to close the Early Access phase quickly but felt that wouldn't do the game justice. Instead, we debated and experimented with the game’s direction, causing development and communication delays, for which we apologize. By late March, we decided to revamp the game completely.
We re-interviewed, reassessed, and reimagined the game, resulting in a nearly new experience, keeping only a few familiar aspects. During this process, we also uncovered a new mystery that has never been discussed before. While it might be a sensitive subject, we decided to include it to enrich the game's narrative.
The game will feature a whole new mechanic, revolving around the Nightmare Side radio show's tagline: "Don't listen to Nightmare Side alone." You'll need to be wary of being alone while the radio show, with actual episodes playing in the background, is running. You'll also encounter a new cast of ghosts/enemies with new designs, all tied back to the actual lore from our research and interviews.
We also revamped the entire story. While the main story will still feature the same cast, with Amira as the main character, it will take a new turn once you get past the introduction. This is also due to new lore and facts we discovered throughout the development process in the Ardan Radio haunted office.
Thank you for your support and patience. We apologize for any inconvenience, but we hope the wait will be worth it.
Thank you,
Hige Studio