Imagine being in your home when you get that feeling that someone is watching you. Every step you turn and every minute passing, you feel them get closer and closer. How do you think you would handle the situation if all you had was a flashlight and the light of the moon to see that could also give whatever was out there to know where you are? Do you think mentally you could survive until help arrived or do you think you would see your life flash before your eyes if the unthinkable happened? Situations like this can be a very scary and traumatizing experience. But when I heard that developer Lost Frame Development was bringing this type of experience to VR, I had to know more. So I reached out and the developer and marketer of Lost Frame Developer, Will Codes, was happy to take about their newest game, STRANGER and Virtual Reality.
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Interview with Developer and Marketer of Lost Frame Development, Will Codes
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Welcome to THE VR DIMENSION. Would you please introduce yourself and what you do at Lost Frame Development?
“My name is Will Codes and I am the only developer and marketer for STRANGER which has just been released on Steam. I am a solo student developer trying to make my dreams come true!”
Growing up, were there some special gaming moments that have made a lasting impression on you, and what was that one VR moment that opened your eyes to what could be possible with Virtual Reality?
“The biggest things growing up that influenced me into game development was probably Minecraft and the idea of making a game that can change people’s lives and have a lasting impact. It has always been a dream to make my own. The first time I tried VR was when I realized the true possibility of a VR Game and what it could offer.”
Your first game was an interactive psychological horror game called SafeZnne VR. You are continuing with the horror with your newest game called STRANGER. What can you tell us about the game?
“STRANGER is a major step up from my first game SafeZoneVR. I learned so much over the past 5 years of unreal engine development and am constantly learning more and more each day improving my skills. STRANGER is a Single-player Survival Thriller Horror Game. Choose your house and difficulty, or customize your own. Then survive until dawn. Uncover mysterious truths about the STRANGER. Play on PC Standard Version or with VR support”
Without giving too much away, what can you tell us about the STRANGER that is stalking you?
“The STRANGER is a mysterious enemy that you will learn more about as you play through the game and unlock new levels and cutscenes.”
So the main point is trying to survive and try to make it to 6:00 am, correct?
“The main point of the game is surviving until 6 am.”
What can you tell us about the customization with mods in the game?
“The modding system added to STRANGER allows the player to quickly and efficiently customize the STRANGER appearance, just paste in a link of any image on the internet and click upload, and you’re good to go!”
What can you tell us about the custom night game mode?
“Custom night game mode is an opportunity for players to customize the game to add replayability! You can adjust 3 different “redacted” sliders and change the difficulty of the STRANGER and make the game extremely difficult, easy, or just right.”
One of the details I like is how the same thing will never happen twice. What are some of the things you have done to make sure of this?
“The game is completely nonlinear, nothing will ever occur twice. The STRANGER has a very intelligent AI system built from the ground up for this game. It will always be learning and changing with each new game you play!”
Watching the trailer, you can tell that sound will play an important part. How much fun was it mixing the different sounds of the spatial audio to really keep the player engaged with the surroundings?
“It was a ton of fun making all the different sounds for STRANGER. I think it is the most important part of any horror game or immersive atmosphere. I am very happy with how it turned out and will always be improving it!”
Was there anything special that you have done to make sure the visual immersion is the best that can be?
“I have learned many ways to master a good horror scene, lighting, and visuals. I magician never gives away his secrets (;.”
What would be your number one tip for survival in STRANGER?
“My number one tip for survival is time is important, every second your not checking the windows is another second the STRANGER is moving closer without you knowing where from. Balance checking windows and other tasks in the game.”
Have you thought about adding an online element where there could be the player or players and one person could be the STRANGER?
” I am definitely looking into coop or multiplayer. Nothing guaranteed, it will take time. It May be a better fit for a sequel.”
What are the top three things that you feel are the most important when comes to making a game for Virtual Reality?
“Top three things for VR game are: Audio design (immersive), consistent visuals where stuff blends naturally and doesn’t seem out of place, audio design again (it’s important), and lastly performance so you don’t throw up while playing (:.”
If you walked through the door into THE VR DIMENSION but had to play yourself trying to survive, but anyone from any time could play the role of the STRANGER, who would it be and why?
“Michael Meyers because he is fricking terrifying.”
With the content for Virtual Reality continuing to expand, what would you say to someone as to why they should experience STRANGER?
“STRANGER is a new VR genre and something never experimented with before. It hits the fear of being helpless and the idea that a home invasion could happen to anyone at any time. It has tons of replayability, multiple maps and difficulties, game modes, and much more coming soon in consistent updates! All money made from the game will also go towards reinvestment to improve the game and future games (: Plus the game is only $8.99!”
I really want to thank Will for taking time out of their day, for giving us a closer look into Stranger, and for talking about Virtual Reality.
STRANGER is out now on Steam VR.
To learn more about Lost Frame Development, please follow them on Twitter and subscribe to the YouTube channel.
Also, check out the STRANGER review.
In case you missed the trailer, please enjoy.
[…] Also, check out the STRANGER interview. […]