TITLE // Darkness Falls Video Game
DATE // 2005
CLIENT // Academy of Art University Coursework
Deliverables // Branding and Identity, Print Design, Poster Design
Having recently completed a Stephen King novel, I was inspired to create a video game
not for children, but for a more mature audience. This inspiration lead to the writing
of a short story, which eventually became the story behind the Darkness Falls video game.
The normally quiet town of Drake Falls is bustling as it hosts a 10th year reunion at the
Drake Falls High School gymnasium. Dozens of former students have attended, creating
an air of celebration not seen in Drake Falls in years. As the celebration roared into
the night, the high school is suddenly struck by darkness. What many first thought was
a power failure turned out to be something far more sinister as not just the high school,
but the entire town was covered in the darkness of a lunar eclipse. Worse yet, the
returning students began to slowly and mysteriously disappear as one by one they were
claimed by this mysterious darkness. As the night progressed, it became clear to the
remaining survivors that this was no mere eclipse, but something far more sinister.
It also became apparent that their only salvation would be in the light, which they
must create by whatever means necessary. As the remaining visitors huddled together in
hopes of surviving until the morning the true horror of what lies in the darkness is
revealed to them. Before the night is over, the truth behind the secrets of Drake
Falls will be revealed.
Darkness Falls is a survivor horror game in which the player takes command of one of
nine survivors in the town of Drake Falls. The goal is to ensure the survival of not
only yourself, but of also of your companions. The horrors that lie in the darkness
fear the light, so the only way the player will be able to survive is to find sources
of light. As the night progresses, the player will uncover the secrets behind the
history of Drake Falls, and must choose whether to simply survival or risk harm to
himself and the others to eradicate the darkness forever.
The mood and the story of the video game dictated the design of the materials. All
aspects of the artwork and design depicts the characters shrouded in darkness as they
struggle to find haven in the light. This direction is not only evident in the design
of the advertising, but the box art and screenshots as well.
Imagery, rendered artwork, and screenshots used in the Darkness Falls project are
provided by the following video games...
Obscure by
Hydravision Entertainment
Resident Evil series
by Capcom Entertainment
Silent Hill
series by Konami Digital Entertainment, Inc.
All imagery used in the Darkness Falls video game project are not for profit and
used purely for education purposes.