Diving into “Still Wakes the Deep”: A New Horror Experience

Written by AG Staff — August 30, 2023 at 10:26

In the latest news from the gaming world, the award-winning developer, The Chinese Room, has given us a tantalizing glimpse into their upcoming narrative horror game, Still Wakes the Deep. Published by Secret Mode, the game is set to offer an authentic and terrifying experience, drawing on '70s mundanity and cosmic horror.

In a behind-the-scenes documentary titled 'An Introduction to Worldbuilding', the team at The Chinese Room delve into the influences and research driving the development of Still Wakes the Deep. The video features insights from Lead Environment Artist Iain Gillespie, Associate Art Director Laura Dodds, and Lead Designer Rob McLachlan. They discuss the evolution of the game's environment, the inspirations behind its horror elements, and the role of the rig's geographical location and period in the narrative.

The game's setting, a Scottish oil rig in the 1970s, was meticulously crafted using resources from British Petroleum's documentary archives. The developers' fascination with cranes and the desire for an authentic representation of the rig plays a pivotal role in the game's narrative-driven horror story. Still Wakes the Deep is set to release in 2024 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5, and will also be available on Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass. You can find the game on Steam.

Returning to the first-person narrative horror genre, Still Wakes the Deep is a chilling journey of an off-shore oil rig worker, battling a vicious storm, perilous surroundings, and the dark, freezing North Sea waters. With all lines of communication cut and exits gone, players must face the unknowable horror that's come aboard. Fans of The Chinese Room's critically acclaimed games such as Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture, and Dear Esther will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting the release of Still Wakes the Deep.