*this project has the golden seal of approvement by Navagon*

Welcome. My name is Tristan, and I want to create a game. A horror game for the PC called Acheron. The thing is that I'm going to need some help making this a reality.

I'm currently a student working on my Bachelor's degree. So this game is not something I can start working on full time just yet. So right now the main goal is to develop and advance the "mythology" of the game's universe and get a script done for the basic storyline of the game. An overview of the story arc has been done already.

So what's Acheron all about?
The game goes like this: You are a psychotic woman who has special psychic talents which makes you enter the dream and subconscious of your victim. The victims are mostly infected by an anomalous entity called the Fragments and your goal is get rid of the infection.

The game is supposed function in two layers. One is the real world, which is first person perspective, where you are fragile and hunted by your own savage madness. But it's not just your own mind that is working against you. There are other psychopaths, brain-dead zombie robots and genetically altered super soldiers and more. The gameplay for these sections will be something like Amnesia, where you're constantly living in fear and are always on the run.

In the dreams however, you can become a savage monster version of yourself and do anything you want without restrictions . Each dream has its own storyline and level design, so they can be mandatory and optional missions and areas. These dreams can take on any shape or form and can change shape and tone in a heartbeat. They can get ugly fast.

You're probably already thinking about Psychonauts or Alundra and yeah those are influences. But this game has a much stronger focus on horror.

Concept art can be found here: http://tantrix187.deviantart.com/gallery/

Right now, I am looking for screenwriters and novelists who want to participate in the project. Right now what needs the most work is the plot and the dream sequences.

All you have to do is:
1. Have a steam and GOG account (my main chat clients)
2. A solid grasp of the English language (native language preferred)
3. If you know anything about Psychology and Neurology that will be a bonus
4) A love of surreal, absurd and horror games.

Right now I need writers more than anything. But if you're interested in contributing in other ways, such as programming or modelling then feel free to join. I will send you the story arcs and some examples of the dream sequences.

This is a non-profit project. It might not become a commercial game. This is going to be a learning experience for me and if you're interested in gaining some experience in creating games then this might be the ideal project for you.

Currently, the team consists of 6 people:
1. Me
2. Detlik – future programmer
3. Snook-8 – artist – http://snook-8.deviantart.com/
4. EvaDtower – artist - http://towercorp.deviantart.com/
5. CDVolbers– composer – http://www.youtube.com/user/volberszweinull
6. Totenveloren – concept artist and future 3D modeller - http://totenveloren.deviantart.com/

I'm up for that.

I'm a native English speaker, in fact I teach English professionally. I have a science background, but I am somewhat weak with neurology, although I do have a fair understanding of it. And I have had some psychology and plenty of experience dealing with people having mental illnesses.

I also have some familiarity with screen writing, although it's not something I've done much, I do love horror movies in particular. And have a deep respect for the folks that did Penumbra.

Hopefully you'll have other people as well as I am prone to writer's block at times.

Awesome :D!
Please PM me your steam ID, I'll add you and we can talk about it

Ooooh, so you're making your horrible nightmares reality. Good luck with that!

You interested too?

Well hardly as a writer, as I found out some time ago :D And you seem to have a full complement aside from that, so unless you need another programmer or gameplay designer, I'd be a fifth wheel.

Can I join as a writer? I'm not a screenwriter or novelist but my native language is english, on GOG and Steam, and I am taking a psychology course oveer the summer.

Of course :D
Sent you PM

Glad to see it's going well, Tantrix.

It must be ambiguous whether she's actually "saving" these people or hurting them. It's horror and she's crazy, right?

Ayyep. Madness will be the main theme of the game, and goes to Lovecraftian and Kafkaesque levels.

What sort of development time frame are you anticipating for this?

I have been attempting to write short horror stories recently. (It's funny who I'm trying to write in a genre I rarely read, though I do like Lovecraft and Kafka, both inspired me to try my hand at short stories.)

I'm also a programmer and composer, positions I see you have filled already. Definitely not a visual artist.

I'm currently working on a few of my own projects, but if the time frame fits, I might be able to help out. My Steam name is the same as here, but GOG is the best way to contact me.

Message me either here or on Steam. I'm currently really busy with some projects that I need to complete (university related) and my undergraduate thesis (which I need to finish by the end of June), but I should be able to spare some time.

Can fill in the positions of either programming (studying Software Engineering) and music producing (few years of fooling around in FL Studio, but nothing serious so far), if you need more people. I'll probably be more comfortable with music production, since my dev skillz haven't been put to much use for 6-8 months now.

Well, I'd be interested. I'm not a professional writer, but I do write from time to time. I also have great insight into mental illness.

I'm not sure if I understand the specifics, but would be interested in hearing more.