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Complete Isolation

Suffer in the wretched abyss of Complete Isolation, an atmospheric horror game set on a desolate farm, with a bone-chilling Plague Doctor and its experiments.

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Complete Isolation

Complete Isolation

Complete Isolation

Complete Isolation

Complete Isolation

Suffer in the wretched abyss of Complete Isolation, an atmospheric horror game set on a desolate farm, with a bone-chilling Plague Doctor and its experiments.

Suffer in the wretched abyss of Complete Isolation, an atmospheric horror game set on a desolate farm, with a bone-chilling Plague Doctor and its experiments.

Suffer in the wretched abyss of Complete Isolation, an atmospheric horror game set on a desolate farm, with a bone-chilling Plague Doctor and its experiments.

Suffer in the wretched abyss of Complete Isolation, an atmospheric horror game set on a desolate farm, with a bone-chilling Plague Doctor and its experiments.

Ryan Stanford
Ryan Stanford
Ryan Stanford
Ryan Stanford
1 Campaign |
Portland, United States
$2,023 USD 50 backers
144% of $1,400 Fixed Goal Fixed Goal

 

Plague Doctor Sketch

Death is in the eye of the Doctor

Deep in the heart of Nowhere, USA, exists a small country settlement known as Cobble Town. Away from civilization, a group of students pass on tales of an abandoned farm that looms in the woods on the outskirts of town, known as the Laddler Estate. Bored, and with nothing else to do, they establish a, ‘courage game,’ to go investigate this ominous farmhouse late one night… There are many strange and dark rumors circulating the farm, but none more famous than that of a demented Plague Doctor who treads the cursed land... As the night goes on, the opportunity for peer bonding spirals into madness as the students unwillingly take part in a twisted game of wit and survival, where nothing is at it seems. Suffer in the wretched abyss of Complete Isolation.

My name is Ryan Stanford, who also goes by AestheticGamer or Dusk Golem on the internet. Horror has been a long-standing passion for me, as well as game development. I've been practicing making games in my spare time since I was 10-years old, and have made my primary focus on gamerplay design, programming, and audio design. Within the last year, my biggest goal has focused itself to make my first public game.

The game itself went through several different forms, but has established itself as a freeware 2D survival-horror game (developed simply with RPG Maker and making use of wholly original assets and the Ruby programming language) that's development cycle will be completely original. The whole development cycle will be broadcasted via YouTube streaming and Livestream during the course of development, working closely with community feedback and contributions to make the best possible product, and distribute it freely back to the public. This project is my 'leaping off' point, the project I hope to delve into game development with and help deliver a product that is executed in an original but familiar way, and be something that fans of the horror genre can enjoy.

However, I am no artist and I have no musical talent, and as such I am raising funding to both determine the size and scope of the game, as well as create the assets for it. The money obtained will all go to the project 100% to make it the best game it can be, and will be used to contract artists and musicians to help create assets for the project. The more money that is obtained, the more spritework, artwork, and music can be made, and thus the larger and more detailed the game can become.

 

Plague Doctor Sketch 2

What is Complete Isolation about?

Complete Isolation is about a group of students from a small country school that decide to do what they shouldn't, and hold a courage game in an abandoned farm on the outskirts of town. There are many strange and dark rumors circulating the farm, but none more famous than that of a demented Plague Doctor who treads the soil of Laddler’s cursed land; though whether the Plague Doctor is someone driven mad, a demon, or something else entirely changes from story to story.

The game will utilize RPG Maker VX Ace, and go beyond what is typically expected of such a project with Ruby programming and completely original assets to form a new experience. There will be no combat in Complete Isolation, but monsters are neither an instant-death threat. Players will explore, take advantage of their environment & items, and run and hide from monsters; each with unique and different behaviors. Monsters attack and afflict damage upon the player, which accumulates overtime to slow the player down, create delusional imagery, and can only be reversed by scarce healing items scattered in the environment. The game will be littered with traps and puzzles, both of which add unqiue obstacles for the player. However, all puzzles and traps have more than one solution, and are designed with the idea of fun and on-the-edge-of-your-seat tenseness rather than uninteresting, not fun, and artificial means to extend game time.

The game also features character and world building, featuring a cast of colorful characters that wind-up in this nightmare. Kiara is the star of our show, a young woman who is rather reserved and sarcastic. Her best friend, Olivia, drags her into this courage game, thinking it'll be a playful experience with some classmates to help Kiara closen her relationship with her fellow students. The other classmates range from a flamboyant, dark humored, glasses-wearing tutor who strives for the group to come together, to a country-gal who can't accept her unimportant existence and dreams one day to live an extravagant life in the big city, while not realizing how much of a hick she actually is.

The game will be released freely to the public, and aims to be a thoughtful, abstract, and morbid venture into the world of survival-horror, that combines familiar system with original execution.

 

So this is a character-based story?

Really its a story that's equally focused on both the characters and the monsters. The character designs are still being worked out, but we do have some bios and continual freelance concept art for what the cast should look like.

Concept art of Kiara, Olivia, and Aimee.

Kiara-
An outward ice queen, Kiara keeps closely knit with a small number of acquaintances that she is familiar with. Kiara has never been very social, being a rather deeply-rooted cynic, and one of the most stubborn people you’ll ever meet. But she does have a strong sense of justice and kindness deep down for those who she considers to be a friend.

Olivia
A normal and sociable youth, Olivia is an outgoing tomboy who alternates from being the playful center of attention, and the perverted onlooker to her close mates. She has an air about her that makes just about anyone trust her, and while a blabbermouth, takes great pride in concealing her friends secrets. Kiara and Olivia have been best friends since they were kids, and it is rare to see one without the other.

Howard
A natural leader who acts and leads with confidence. Howard was born in a religious atmosphere, and was greatly inspired by the feats of the son of god, Jesus. He puts his all in everything he does, and in a successful soccer player, academic, and priest in training. While he can sometimes be a rather intense individual, and carries a lot on his shoulders, he’ll do what he can to help lead others the right way.

Aimee Art by Algernon Blue

Aimee
The youngest of the bunch, Aimee tries her best to be brave an act like an adult, but is rather childish and cowardly. Aimee lost her older brother at a young age, and has been fairly insecure ever since. While Aimee might be a bit of a prankster (even if most of her pranks backfire on her), all she really wants is to be accepted.

 

Concept art of Howard

Peter
An elected class official and tutor, Peter spends a lot of his time observing and helping others. He has a deep fascination with the occult, which doesn’t always mix well with his rather dark sense of humor. He strives for win-win situations with his peers, and has a naturally soothing presence and optimistic attitude makes him a valued friend to many. He is often mistaken to be rather intelligent thanks to his glasses and posture, but he is actually rather ditzy.

Dean
Who can only be described as a hick and a southern gentlemen, Dean is a rather hot-headed and direct individual who has a sort of food fetish. He might be a bit slow-witted when it comes to the understanding, he’s quite quick on the uptake. While his rowdiness can make him seem wild, he actually is quite good at following orders, and always has a place in his heart to help a fair maiden.

Melody
An extravagant drama-queen with dreams to one day make it big in the city, Melody isn’t all-too pleased with the current country life she lives. Interested in being involved with the latest fashion and music, the reality of cows and crops that actually is can’t be viewed as anything but unacceptable in her eyes. She is a very susceptible person who will take praise to her head, but is also rather gullible and oblivious.

Nathan
A disciplined bookworm who has been put in the situation to take care of his ill mother, Nathan is a rather reserved and somewhat rough individual who has had to deal with rough times and racism his whole life. He’s commonly misjudged due to his intimidating looks, but is actually a rather reliable sweetheart who is as resourceful as he is poetic.

There also is the possibility than four other main characters may be added to the cast, depending if certain Tiers are selected here on Indiegogo.

 

Concept art of Blind Hunger by Appendagechild

So... Monsters?

The Plague Doctor is not alone. It has several experiments that are up and about the Laddler Farm. Each has a different look, personality, and behavoir. The monsters are important to look terrifying, though each should look quite a bit different from one another. Our monster cast includes...

The Plague Doctor- 

The main antagonist of the game. The Plague Doctor is a silent onlooker, and the one who lies the various traps around the farm. The Plague Doctor has a deep history with the Laddler Estate, and the closer to the center of it all you get, the more relentless he becomes. The Plague Doctor behaves as a randomized chasie through many of the late-locations of the game, but also as a few moments of cunning diabolical plans, and other twisted ideas to keep things interesting.

Basement Experiment-

A giant lovecraftian-styled colossus, the monster is huge and waits, trapped in The House's basement. The creature is somewhat octopus-like, with a demented and oozing core which is defenseless, containing many eyes and bubbily scars. The monster protects its core with several appendages that look like other monsters, and pop up throughout the basement.

Sickle Scarecrow (Put into the game at the $1,400 Goal)-

There are many twisted looking scarecrows that lay spread throughout the field, but none more twisted (or alive) as the Sickle Scarecrow. The scarecrow is filled with what appears to be the intestines and organs of humans instead of hay, and chases rather roughly with a single sickle. It has an anguished look on its mask 'face', and has a bad habit of fitting in with fellow scarecrows and leaping to life while passing by.

Concept Art of Blind Hunger by Taragraphic93

Blind Hunger (Put into the game at the $3,800 Goal)-

A monster that wanders the mines. Its blind and casually makes its way around when unprovoked, but it is highly sensitive to sound and is surprisingly fast. The monster takes its victims and paralyzes them into a state that looks similar to a statue, and then tears open their bodies and consumes their innards. The more it eats, the larger it becomes as the innards from its victims conjoins with itself.

Hanged Man (Put into the game at the $1,700 Goal)-

A monster that hangs, bondaged, to the ceiling of the storage shack. To pass it, it must be freed, and it thus lurks this location. The monster has messed up legs, and has to crawl around. While it is a slow chaser, the monster takes advantage of its surroundings and hides in tight places (like in a pipe or under a couch) where it can pop out and attack the player in surprise. The monster should is somewhat human-like, though decayed, with marks of its previous bondage, a twisted eyeless face, and its legs wrapped or stitched around a torture-device-like object.

Laughing Vixen (Put into the game at the $2,200 Goal)-

A twisted monster with tattered hair, an ungodly and impossible creepy smile, and in the form of a woman, the monster crazily laughs and has a bad habit of scratching and inflicting pain all over herself. It both runs, crawls over walls and ceilings, and can manifest itself elsewhere from where it previously was in an instant (almost like teleportation). The monster can also convey quick images of herself to appear for an instant in a room.

Leaning Corpse (Put into the game at the $3,000 Goal)-

Appearing almost like an impossibly tall and thin human skin being worn by a giant insect (with its insect features tearing out of the human skin), the Leaning Corpse is rather jittery, and has a bad habit of starting and stopping, standing still in dark, moist places, and dashing around at impossible speeds really quickly. The almost seems like its playing green light, red light, stopping or moving slowly, and then suddenly charging to extreme speeds and jittering around like crazy. It also almost seems to be playing around, slowly reaching long fingers around a corner, or sliding into a room under the door crack.

Living Limbs (Put into the game at the $3,300 Goal)-

Various human limbs turned into smaller monster, looking demented and growing things out of them like legs, eyes, mouths, etc. A few variations exist, and should be watched out for as they not only are dangerous, but also can alert the bigger monsters of your presence.

Shadows (Put into the game at the $2,000 Goal)-

Shadows, often disfigured of humans, that take a creepy look and stick to the side of the screen inside of the Tower location. Some will approach or are hostile, but most are docile. Some look more human than others.

The Final Beast (Put into the game at the $2,000 Goal)-

The final beast... This monster is surrounded in much mystery. If you'd like to help conceptualize its design, message me over YouTube, Facebook, or the project forums.

 

 

Plague Doctor Sketch 3

How much, and where is the money going?

How much we earn is directly going to determine the size and scope of the game. Due to some kind offers and the help from a community I have established over the last two and a half years on YouTube, the money that is needed to back such a project isn't very high (and the project in question is decidedly a lower budget project), but the goals that we are reaching out for is as follows:

$0.00 Raised; 'Nowhere Goal': The project will be completed with money out of my own pocket. However, the size and scope will be very minimalistic, including three basic main areas (The House, The Field, The Tower), and downscale on the desired size of these locations (such as The Tower will consist of three floors). There will be two monsters in the game (The Plague Doctor & The Basement Experiment), and the game will contain small music loops, no character or scene art, and a somewhat minimalistic original tile-set for each location.

$1,400 Raised; 'Start-Up Goal': Our funding and 'main' goal, reaching this goal will allow the project to have an extended soundtrack (full songs instead of small loops), and allow us to expand and deepen the three main locations, the House, the Field, and the Tower, not to mention the addition of two new monsters, the Sickle Scarecrow and the Translucent Decoy. The Tower will be expanded to six-floors, and the classroom area will be made as an introductory area to the game.

$1,700 Raised; 'Storage Shed Goal': An optional area, known as the Storage Shed, will be created, that includes new art assets, original music, extra story, a couple new puzzles, along with a new monster, The Hanged Man.

$2,000 Raised; 'Tower Expansion Goal': The tower will be expanded, adding an extra two floors (bumping the number up to eight floors), as well as expansions to the previous floor layouts. This allows for additional traps, more puzzles, more explorable rooms, more original music, more scare scenes, and additional story and character development.

$2,200 Raised; 'Laughing Vixen Goal': Adds a new monster, The Laughing Vixen. This monster is animated in further detail than the rest, and includes a unique behavior. Drawn into madness from the various experiment performed on her, and decidedly inhuman, the Laughing Vixen is a tortured soul trapped in the shell of a insane monster who wanders The Tower. The monster will also include original voice work, and unique sounds and music.

$2,700 Raised; 'Prologue Goal': The game will include a prologue section that includes two new areas, Home & The Forest, as well as expands the classroom location into a school. These areas build-up the story before the abandoned farm, and includes new assets, music, an opening cinematic along with a vocal song, and will include additional new content, such as a 'video game' you can play in Kiara's room before you set-out to the farm.

$3,000 Raised; 'Leaning Man Goal': Adds a new monster, The Leaning Man, as well as a new area developed for the Leaning Man. The Leaning Man is the most animated monster in the game, being a tall, almost insect-like being that doesn't directly chase the player. Instead, it sneaks up on them and approaches them in odd ways, such as reaching its fingers out from around a corner, slowly sliding in under a door crack, standing and jittering off in the shadows... All while seemingly being stuck as a living VHS tape, suddenly foreward-winding, rewinding, pausing and jittering, slowing down... This monster has a lot of unique animations, behavior, and sounds which should make a completely new and frightening experience for the player.

$3,333 Raised; 'Field Expansion Goal': Expands The Field into a large and explorable hub that the player is free to roam. It includes a few new optional areas, such as the Barn and the Creek. Also includes new story, new music, and the addition of 'small experiment' monsters, miniature monsters that are essentially living limbs. Also adds animals to The Field, and more atmospheric touches to bring the place alive.

$3,800 Raised; 'Underground Level Goal': Adds a new main story location to the game, the Underground Mine stores several floors, has new scares, new music, puzzles, traps, and extends the story for further development of the characters and monsters.

$4,300 Raised; 'Doctor's Lair Goal': Another big new area expansion, it adds the Doctor's Lair, a home to which the Plague Doctor holds many of his twisted experiments. Full of traps, twisted imagery, it's a gruesome location that captures the madness of the Doctor, and is extremely deadly. More back-story on the Doctor will be revealed, as well as more original assets, music, puzzles, and a 'boss battle'...

$5,500 Raised; 'Character Portrait Goal': Character Portraits and art will be included in the game, showing portraits of characters as they talk and there will be official artwork for several of the monsters inside of the game.

$6,800 Raised; 'Scene Art Goal': Original whole-screen artwork will be sketched out for important scenes inside the game, depicting moments of greater impact in fine detail.

$7,300 Raised; 'Extra Scenario Goal': Upon completing the game, an extra story scenario will unlock, adding additional content, gameplay and story scenarios, and a more challenging gameplay experience that takes place before the main story.

$8,888 Raised; 'Voice Acting Goal': An optional voice-over of the game will be available for selection when starting a new game. The voice acting will take great care to add to the experience rather than take away, and focus on precise, impacting performances from novice voice actors. This will go through additional auditioning and be carefully selected.

$9,000 Raised; 'Ultimate Goal': The game will have reached its ultimate scope goal and include a few extra vocal songs into the soundtrack. All money beyond this point will be used to add more detail and assets to the world, and additional music.

On a small social forum for the project, there will be a listing of current assets needed with the project, and how much each asset 'reward' is. I will reach out to artist and musicians, but also will keep an open-board for the community if they wish to contribute for money in return.

 

Plague Doctor Sketch 4

So who are you, and why is this project important?

I'm Ryan Stanford, and at this point, I don't have much else to show for myself in terms of game development. I am probably best known as the AestheticGamer on YouTube, which is simply a Let's Play channel which I have been doing for the past two and a half years on YouTube, and at this point have established around 15,000 subscribers. However, I have always expressed my opinions on game design and my own smaller personal projects on my channel, and want to go into a project made with the public in mind for anyone to experience. 

I want to give my unique look at horror through gameplay experience. I feel that, while indie horror is on the rise on PCs, I would like to contribute my own personal flair and substance. I feel something indie horror has been lacking as of late is substance, as many games currently are a one-trick pony that feel more experimental than being a straight-up 'game', or lack originality and execution. Games are composed of multiple elements and layers, that come together to form a whole experience. I believe that horror games are a wonderful way to emit scenarios, scares, atmosphere, and fun gameplay together that can keep players engaged, as well as stimulate their senses of happiness, fear, relief, sadness, and uneasiness, and can continue to feel all of this through a longer, enjoyable experience. 

I also want to try a development cycle that has never been tried before and fits me like a glove, to work closely with people I both know and are anonymous on the internet, in very direct, connected development that utilizes the tools of the new generation for development. I feel this is a great way to help increase the quality and direct feedback of the game, and to form a connection of trust with those I may end up working with. The possibilities, both good and bad, of such a styled project excite me.

 

Plague Doctor Sketch 5

Other Ways You Can Help.

Contributing money isn't the only way you can help. I am working very closely with people on the internet and that I know to develop this game. 

You can follow the live broadcasting (as well as watch previous development broadcasts) on my YouTube channel.

You can contribute and follow updates on the small free forums that we're using for the project (WIP).

Also feel free to follow me on Facebook & Twitter

 

Plague Doctor Sketch 6

F.A.Q.

Q: What platform will this game be available on? 

A: Windows PC, as that's the platform that RPG Maker uses, though we will try and aim if possible for Wine support so it may also be available for Mac computers (though this is currently only a conceptual idea).

Q: When will the game be finished by?

A: We are aiming for a definitive release of December 13th, 2013. While there are no expected delays (but then again, when are there?), if this date happens to change, we'll definitely let you guys know.

Q: I want to give input/contribute assets to your project, how would be the best way to do this?

A: Easy! For input, simply come to a stream as it is broadcasting live and leave a comment or stay for my various questions to the streamers about development, or leave a comment on the small development forum for the project.

To contribute, come to the forums and post in the 'Contribute' section. There will be a list there of currently needed assets, what they are worth, and references to art and music style for the project to go by in the near future, as well as ways to get into contact.

Q: Will there be any betas/demos, and if so, how can I play them?

A: Absolutely! As a free open project, demos will be released a bit regularly to keep you all up to date, and for feedback. I will update Indiegogo, YouTube, the forums, and my social feeds whenever a new demo is available.

 

 Plague Doctor Sketch Big

Final Words

To be honest, this whole Indiegogo campaign has me far more nervous than the actual game development. Game making just takes time, effort, practice, determination, and vision. This campaign, and the community-aspects, requires both the good will and gain of people outside of myself, and is a true test in my eyes to see if people are interested in such a project.

This project is just starting off, almost ironically the thing I need most (assets) are tied directly to what I need to fund. However, I will do my best to keep everyone update, make this a fun experience for those involved, and make the best possible horror game for the public.

I also have to give a huge thanks to my fans for the drawings of the Plague Doctor that were used for this campaign, as it at least allows some visual to what is a rather wordy campaign. I give my uttermost word, as a developer, designer, and horror and game ethusiast to deliver upon all of you the best possible game I can create, no matter what the hurdles or the scope, I will work with all of you and try my damn hardest to make Complete Isolation a reality.

I thank you all for your time, and contributions.

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Choose your Perk

Feel-Good Tier

$1 USD
You contributed! Feel good~
8 claimed

Thank You Tier

$5 USD
Thank you for the contribution! Your name will be added to the credits.
11 claimed

Art Collector Tier

$10 USD
Includes all above tiers, as well as a digital art collection of the assets used in the game, concept art, and custom icons, wallpapers, and banners.
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
7 claimed

Digital Soundtrack Tier

$20 USD
Includes all above tiers, as well as the game's complete digital soundtrack in high quality.
Estimated Shipping
December 2013
5 claimed

School Student Tier

$30 USD
Includes all above tiers, and you'll be able to help design an NPC student that will appear in the classroom/school area, and a personalized message (that is appropriate).
8 claimed

Garden Memento Tier

$50 USD
Includes all above tiers, and you'll be able to hand-select an object to be drawn as a memento into the Garden area of the game along with a personalized message (that is appropriate)
4 claimed

Open-Source Game Tier

$75 USD
Includes all above tiers, and an open-source version of the game for use in RPG Maker VX Ace. Feel free to mess around with it, and use assets for your own commercial and noncommercial projects, but do not redistribute the game as your own, and if you use assets in your own projects, give credit to the respective owners (all objects in the game will be labelled with credit appropriately).
0 claimed

Create A Trap Tier

$100 USD
Includes all above tiers, and you'll be able to create a custom trap that will appear in the game. We'll work with you to help design it mechanically and visually.
0 claimed

My Room Tier

$125 USD
Includes all above tiers, and you'll be able to design your own custom room in the game. It can be an exploration room, a puzzle room, a trap room, or just a small oasis. If a room fits with the theme of the game, it'll be made a public room, while rooms that fit outside of the project's tone will be Easter Eggs.
1 out of 15 of claimed

Make A Monster Tier

$200 USD
Includes all above tiers (including limited availability tiers), and create a monster that will appear in the game. We will work with you to create a monster that works in the game, and is helped designed by you!
0 out of 5 of claimed

Design A Character Tier

$300 USD
Includes all above tiers (including limited availability tiers), and help develop a main character in the game. We have three roles to fill (the classroom teacher, and two students), and you will help name them, give them a personality, design their look, and develop quirks to their character.
2 out of 3 of claimed

Sub-Scenario Tier

$666 USD
Includes all above tiers (including limited availability tiers), and you can help create a sub-scenario that is unlocked upon completing the game. Act as director and help design gameplay scenarios, story, and other elements in a short-medium length additional campaign.
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