What is Afterimage?

Afterimage is a first person horror puzzle game, which sets out to explore the cross section between found-footage analog horror media, and exploration-based puzzle games. Set in a fictional replication of the Kowloon walled city, the player must explore and discover what happened to all of its inhabitants who have vanished. Playing as a photo-journalist, the player must navigate the space collecting clues and hints to piece together what happened. As they move deeper into the city, they begin to see the shadows move. Find out what occured, avoid insanity, and uncover the truth, in Afterimage.

Role

Josh collaborated with writer and developer Camron Gonzalesz on this project, with Josh handling the development, 3D art, environment design, and audio, and Camron working on writing, world building, and any other game design needed. Together they worked to build a well-scoped gameplay project, focusing on the strange and unreal.

Afterimage was host to several different puzzles and encounters. Many of these ideas were sparked from blue-sky thinking, and then scoped down to fit the needs of the game. With a strong focus on the uncanny and surreal feelings evoked in analog horror, the objective of the game was to capture of a feeling. Could one make a game which was so uncomfortable or scary at its base, that simply navigating the environment felt anxious?

As players explore the space, elements of the environment become more and more paranormal. Uncovering a lived-in space showcasing the lives of those who once lived there, while balancing your own sanity and avoiding the shadows, served to be an incredibly engaging and unique experience which had not been seen before.

Afterimage continues to be in production, and has made appearances at several gaming expos throughout the New York City area.