Hi everyone,
I’m thrilled (and a little nervous!) to finally share more about Souls That Wait: Pennungu, a game that’s been as much a journey into my past as it is a step forward in game development. Let introduce myself a little...
Growing up in Southeast Asia, I was surrounded by stories that blurred the lines between myth and reality. Tales of the Pontianak lurking near banana trees or whispered warnings about the Penanggal kept many of us looking over our shoulders during late-night walks. For me, these weren’t just campfire tales—they were a fascinating glimpse into the way folklore shapes our culture, our fears, and even our sense of community.
As a child in Malaysia, schoolyards often became the stage for these ghost stories. There was always that one school in every town, with rumors of hauntings, cursed classrooms, or the lingering spirit of an old caretaker. I remember the uneasy thrill of wandering dimly lit corridors during school camps, daring myself to walk past the “haunted” science lab or the derelict toilet block. These moments, both chilling and oddly magical, planted the seeds for Souls That Wait.
But these stories weren’t just abstract; they felt real. I remember a particular incident from my primary school days that I’ll never forget. My school had a block of classrooms we called “Blok Tiga,” which was always locked up, supposedly due to disrepair. But everyone knew the real reason—it was haunted.
One day, my friends dared me to sneak into the building after class. The sun was setting, and the schoolyard was starting to empty. With a mix of bravado and fear, I climbed through a broken window and found myself in a long, dusty corridor. Everything was eerily silent except for the faint rustling of leaves outside.
As I ventured deeper, I heard it: a faint tapping sound. At first, I told myself it was just the wind, but then the taps turned into unmistakable footsteps, slow and deliberate. The air felt heavier with every step, and the room at the end of the corridor seemed darker than it should have been.
And then I saw it—a figure, partially obscured by shadow, standing perfectly still at the end of the hallway. My legs froze as I realized it wasn’t just a person. Its feet weren’t touching the ground. It floated silently, its head tilted at an unnatural angle. Just as I was about to scream, I heard my friends calling from outside, breaking the spell. I bolted out of there and swore never to go near Blok Tiga again.
It’s experiences like these that inspired Souls That Wait. The school in the game is designed to evoke that same sense of dread and wonder, with every creaky floorboard and flickering light telling its own story.
Some WIP screenshots of me designing the various decals according to my memories of how my school looked like. This was Blok Tiga (Block 3).
In this game, I wanted to capture the eerie beauty of Southeast Asian folklore while staying true to the culture and settings that inspired it. The school where the game takes place is designed to feel authentic, down to the peeling paint on the walls and the distant hum of cicadas. But as the night unfolds, the familiar becomes uncanny, and the school transforms into a labyrinth of fear.
The spirits you’ll encounter are rooted in Malaysian folklore, with unique backstories that tie directly to the school’s dark history. But this isn’t just a game about fear—it’s a story about empathy, choices, and uncovering the truth behind tragedy.
Your role as a security guard places you at the crossroads of modernity and tradition. How you choose to deal with these spirits—through confrontation, understanding, or ritual—will determine not just your survival but the fate of the restless souls bound to the school.
Creating this game has been a deeply personal experience, and I hope it resonates with you whether you’ve grown up hearing these tales or are discovering them for the first time. Southeast Asian folklore is incredibly rich, and my goal is to honor it while crafting a gameplay experience that leaves you both terrified and captivated.
Thank you for joining me on this journey. Souls That Wait: Pennungu is a love letter to the stories I grew up with and the emotions they evoked—fear, curiosity, and wonder. I can’t wait for you to experience it for yourself. Also, a shoutout to the supportive team at Starpixel whom I have worked with closely in the development of this project.
Wishlist the game on Steam and stay tuned for more updates. Let’s uncover the secrets together—if you dare.
Warm regards,
F.
Developer, Souls That Wait: Pennungu