Overtime
Contributions
Game Design
Categorization
Coursework
Time
2025
Introduction
Overtime is an interactive puzzle game exploring the fragility of perception and the horror of the mundane. Set within the liminal space of a corporate office, it creates a psychological horror experience where the player’s greatest enemy is not a monster but their own doubt.
The Core
The core loop is a test of observation and decisiveness as the game challenges players to distinguish between a normal reality and a corrupted one. Guided only by a phone call and their own senses, the player must navigate a recurring room that may or may not have minor changes each time. The mechanics are binary but complex. Taking the stairs leads to a new rendition of the room regardless of its state, while taking the elevator asserts that the room is without anomaly. This choice carries high stakes as failing to identify a corrupted room results in a loss. By not providing any unnecessary hints, the game simulates the anxiety of second-guessing one's own memory in a high-pressure environment.
Aesthetic Decisions
Visually, the game utilizes a low-resolution, pixelated 3D aesthetic reminiscent of early-era gaming. This intentional lack of fidelity undermines the player's perception, forcing them to squint and lean in to the tension. This is paired with spatial audio as a gameplay dimension, which requires players to listen for danger as much as they look for it.