From General Hospital to Anthology of the Killer: Exploring the Hilarious Horrors by Junji Ito

Fostering innovation in game creation and recognizing independent game producers who are pushing the medium’s frontiers are the main goals of the Independent Games Festival (IGF). Each year, Game Developer engages with the IGF finalists before the Game Developers Conference (GDC) to delve into the themes, design choices, and tools that shape each entry. Game Developer and GDC are part of the same family of organizations under Informa Tech.

“Anthology of the Killer” chronicles BB’s surreal, eerie, and absurd escapades in forbidden museums, eerie music scenes, and lost zine distros.

In a conversation with Stephen Gillmurphy and Tommy Tone, Game Developer explored how serial narratives often venture into unconventional territories over time, leading to the inception of this game. They discussed how the unique nature of video games allows for storytelling in unconventional ways, aiming to surprise even the creators themselves with the outcomes of their work.

Introducing the Developers:

Stephen Gillmurphy: Known as thecatamites or garmentdistrict, I handled art, writing, and various aspects of the game. The musical score was crafted by Tommy Tone.

Background in Game Development:

Gillmurphy: With over two decades of experience, my portfolio includes acclaimed titles like “Olivia’s Secret” and “Scramble Garden 2,” alongside indie favorites such as “Space Funeral,” “Goblet Grotto,” and “10 Beautiful Postcards.”

Conceptualizing Anthology of the Killer:

Gillmurphy: The inspiration stemmed from a fascination with serial narratives and the unpredictable directions they can take. Influenced by works like Junji Ito’s “Uzumaki,” I aimed to blend horror with mystery, presenting a recurring protagonist facing a myriad of chilling scenarios.

Development Tools:

Gillmurphy: Unity served as the primary platform for its versatility, incorporating plugins like “Doodle Studio 95” for sprite creation and various assets to enhance the visual and narrative aspects.

Crafting the Game’s Diverse Settings:

Gillmurphy: The horror genre’s knack for intertwining historical elements with modern twists influenced the game’s eclectic environments. Leveraging peculiar visuals, unique characters, and unexpected narrative turns, the game maintains a sense of intrigue and unpredictability.

Character and Creature Design:

Gillmurphy: Drawing inspiration from masks, video game creatures, and artworks, I aimed to create distinct yet simplistic designs that resonate even in smaller scales, enriching the game’s visual appeal.

Balancing Humor and Horror:

Gillmurphy: By blending comedy and horror, the game achieves a delicate balance of unsettling events and comedic relief. This juxtaposition aims to evoke varied emotional responses, resonating with players on different levels.

Musical Composition Process:

Tommy Tone: Drawing inspiration from a diverse range of musicians and experimenting with unconventional sounds, the music was crafted to complement the game’s shifting moods and surreal settings.

Creating a Humorous Atmosphere:

Gillmurphy: Injecting humor into every facet of the game involved intertwining jokes with the plot, ensuring a light-hearted and engaging experience for players as they navigate through the game’s world.

Development Approach:

Gillmurphy: Episodes evolve organically, with each installment building upon the previous one. Ideas are refined during development, allowing for spontaneous creativity and the incorporation of new concepts as the game progresses.

Challenges and Cut Ideas:

Gillmurphy: Some ideas were shelved due to feasibility or predictability, emphasizing the importance of maintaining an element of surprise and experimentation in the game’s development.

Benefits of Episodic Releases:

Gillmurphy: Releasing smaller episodes enables flexibility and iterative improvements, allowing for continuous evolution and the reintroduction of past elements in future installments.

Embracing Humor in Game Development:

Gillmurphy: Crafting content that elicits laughter and fear simultaneously offers a fulfilling creative experience, especially when witnessing players’ reactions and engagement with the game.

The collaborative efforts of Stephen Gillmurphy and Tommy Tone have brought “Anthology of the Killer” to life, offering players a captivating blend of horror, humor, and creativity in a surreal and immersive gaming experience.