2-player introduction game, horror edition
Objectives:
- Ideation & Brainstorming
- Storytelling
- User Experience
Design Challenge
Identity Games aims to expand its market presence with more two-player game sets. Capitalizing on the current trend for horror themes, the company seeks to develop a new product that blends these elements. The game will follow a two-player escape room (ER) format, using a foldable principle as the foundation for the new package. The obejctive of this design challenge is to design a new introductory two-player game with a horror theme that engages players in a thrilling, interactive experience.
Solution
Bloody Mary is a 15-minute introduction game to introduce new players to the Escape Room: The Game 2 Player edition.
Storyline of the boardgame
1600-1700
Bloody Mary’s face was heavily maimed by a car accident. Her father wanted to protect her and removed all the mirrors from their house. One day, Bloody Mary saw her reflection in a tea cup. Her hideous scars caused her so much grieve that she committed suicide. Her soul got trapped in the mirror dimension, where she is still waiting to escape…
Today:
You and your friend have a sleepover and decide to play a game of truth or dare. You friend Lara gets dared to call out Bloody Mary’s name 3 times in front of the bathroom mirror at midnight. According to the aged-old legend, Bloody Mary will come and get your soul when you call her name at midnight. At first nothing happens after calling her name, until Lara’s reflection suddenly transforms into a bloodthirsty creature. The creature grabbed Lara’s soul and dragged it into the mirror. Then the creature’s spirit took over Lara’s body, shattering the mirror in the process. The players have to follow the four steps of the ritual correctly to exorcise Bloody Mary from Lara’s body and rescue Lara’s soul from the mirror dimension. They have 15 minutes to complete the ritual, or Lara will be stuck in the mirror forever.
Design Process
In this introduction game, four horror-themed puzzles were developed, each featuring a unique puzzling approach. Various brainstorming techniques and testing methods contributed to the creation of these puzzles. Due to confidentiality agreements, specific details about the game cannot be disclosed. However, it can be confirmed that the concept underwent several iterations and fine-tuning during the testing phase, with the final version now available for purchase at the toy store. For more information about the game itself, please visit the Escape Room the Game website.
