Abstract
Find out how the brand new recreation I Hate This Place lives throughout the identical universe of the acclaimed comedian ebook sequence.Sound within the recreation is represented visually by stylized callouts on-screen, like color-coded footsteps to point noise ranges.You possibly can play I Hate This Place beginning right this moment on Xbox Sequence X|S.
I Hate This Place is an isometric survival horror recreation that very deliberately makes use of numerous comedian ebook–infused design decisions. With the launch of the sport right this moment on Xbox Sequence X|S, I’d like to take this second to dive a little bit into the how and why this was achieved to assist create I Hate This Place.
Dwelling Alongside the Authentic “I Hate This Place” Comics
The primary apparent cause for the comedian aesthetic is that our recreation is ready in the identical world and universe because the award-nominated comedian sequence “I Hate This Place” by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin. However since we had been all the time going to be making a standalone story with our personal characters, we determined that preserving that connection to the comedian sequence alive was necessary, nevertheless it needed to be in a approach that wasn’t simply parroting the unique look.
Beneath are some examples evaluating the sport to the comics so you’ll be able to see the place and the way we stayed true to the supply whereas additionally permitting our group to make the artwork model and total really feel our personal. Parts similar to proportions, the vibe of the setting, sticking extra to realism vs a very cartoony strategy, had been all taken from the unique comics. The place we selected to diverge was issues like within the shading, line thickness, and the usage of a wider coloration palette.
Bringing the 80s Again
Because the unique sequence takes place within the Nineteen Eighties, each the comics and the sport lean closely into that robust, stylized comedian ebook aesthetic impressed by that decade. This isn’t a muted or reasonable tackle horror. As an alternative, it’s loud, a bit graphic, and unapologetically excessive.
Visually, that once more meant thick black outlines, brilliant and punchy colours, and heavy distinction and saturation all through the world. Shadows are deep and deliberate, highlights pop, and there may be, after all, loads of VHS-style static.
Sound You Can See
Whereas comic-inspired visuals are the obvious selection, we additionally needed the gameplay itself to have comedian aptitude. One of the distinctive design decisions in I Hate This Place is how sound is communicated visually. As an alternative of relying purely on audio cues, the sport interprets sounds into comedian book-style callouts that seem straight on this planet.
For instance, your footsteps are represented on display as daring “thud” results and are color-coded to speak quantity. Inexperienced footsteps imply you’re quiet, crouched, shifting slowly, and minimizing hazard. Yellow footsteps sign regular motion and average noise. Crimson footsteps imply you’re operating or being loud, successfully changing into a beacon for close by threats. That is particularly necessary as a result of most of the monsters in I Hate This Place additionally hunt by sound, not simply sight.
Weapons observe the identical philosophy. Weapons don’t merely fireplace out an audio crack. As an alternative, they visually rattle throughout the display with daring “bang!” and “ratatat!” results. Creatures additionally announce themselves with jagged, unsettling visible screech callouts, reinforcing their presence simply as they’re about to assault. Consequently, sound turns into one thing you learn simply as a lot as hear, very similar to in a comic book panel.
Dialogue in Bubbles, Not Bins
One other approach we ramp up the comedian ebook presentation is thru character communication. Dialogue in I Hate This Place seems in speech bubbles above every characters’ heads relatively than as conventional subtitles on the backside of the display. This retains conversations grounded within the feeling that you’re enjoying by a graphic novel relatively than watching a cinematic overlay.
Out there Right now on Xbox Sequence X|S
At its core, I Hate This Place is about honoring the comedian whereas discovering methods to make its visible language interactive. The thick strains, vibrant colours, on-screen results, and speech bubbles should not simply stylistic thrives. They’re intentional design decisions meant to form the way you learn the world and make it really feel like each a recreation and a comic book ebook on the identical time.
Thanks a lot for studying. I Hate This Place is out right this moment on Xbox Sequence X|S, and we actually hope to see you on the market on our twisted, haunted ranch!
I Hate This Place
Feardemic
$29.99
$23.99
Take pleasure in your keep within the worst place on Earth.
I Hate This Place is an isometric craft-based survival horror recreation set in a cursed land full of reality-bending nightmares and terrifying creatures that thrive at the hours of darkness. You’ll have to scavenge, construct, sneak, and combat if you wish to make it out alive.
Traditional Craft-Based mostly Survival Horror
Scavenge each nook of Rutherford Ranch to remain alive. From haunted forests, a derelict city, to infested bunkers. Discover a world teeming with hazard as you collect very important assets, craft important gear, improve your campsite, and rebuild outposts to have someplace to cover.
Day Prepares You. Night time Hunts You
A dynamic day-night cycle that adjustments the world. Use daylight correctly to discover, scavenge provides, craft what you want, and put together for what’s coming. When evening falls, the true nightmares come out to play. Extra enemies seem, stronger and extra aggressive than earlier than. The panorama turns into more durable to navigate with simply your flashlight. Generally your finest hope is to search out shelter and hunker down until morning.
Lethal Silence Goes A Lengthy Method
Stealth and fight go hand-in-hand right here as most of the twisted creatures in Rutherford Ranch hunt and stalk you by sound alone. Brute pressure will typically simply land you in an early grave. Use sound to your benefit, luring creatures away out of your path or cleverly main them straight into lethal traps you laid.
80’s Vibes Meets Comedian E book Aptitude
Impressed by the award-nominated comedian ebook sequence created by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin, I Hate This Place involves life with daring colours, a punchy retro comedian ebook model, and a heavy dose of ’80s aptitude. A novel mix of horror, darkish humor, and simply the fitting contact of camp and gore the place unsettling dread meets stylized appeal.
Developed and printed by Damaged Mirror Video games – based in 2024, co-development horror label underneath Bloober Crew S.A. Damaged Mirror Video games and Bloober Crew are registered logos of Bloober Crew S.A. in US and/or different international locations. “I Hate This Place” and all associated logos, characters, names, and associated indicia are © 2025 Skybound Interactive LLC. “I Hate This Place” is predicated on the comedian ebook by Kyle Starks and Artyom Topilin. SKYBOUND, SKYBOUND GAMES and any associated logos are registered or in any other case protected logos of Skybound, LLC. All different copyrights and logos are the property of their respective house owners. All Rights Reserved.
