As an indie game developer with a passion for filmmaking, I have always tried to combine the cinematic with the interactive. My latest project, NightGhastis proof of this fusion. NightGhast is a first-person horror game that immerses you in the eerie world of evil witches and sinister widows. Developed using Unreal Engine 5, this game is not only impressive for its chilling narrative, but also for the innovative techniques we used in its development. A key part of this process was working with real theater actors, filming them in front of a green screen and integrating their performances into the game. This approach not only increased the realism of the game, but also opened new doors for future projects.
The vision behind NightGhast
My background as a filmmaker has always driven me to create visually compelling and narratively rich experiences. Although I have developed and published many indie games myself, NightGhast is special because it allowed me to combine my two passions: filmmaking and game development. The game’s story required a level of emotional depth and authenticity that could only be achieved through the nuanced performances of real actors. This led us to explore the use of real-time recordings of theater actors in front of a green screen as a central part of our development process.
The role of ID@Xbox
The journey of NightGhast was significantly supported by the ID@Xbox program, which helps indie developers bring their games to Xbox platforms. The ID@Xbox team was crucial during the certification process, providing invaluable support and resources. Their support ensured that NightGhast met all technical and quality standards, allowing us to focus on the creative aspects of the game.
Integration of real actors into the game
By using Unreal Engine 5’s virtual production and cinematic tools, we were able to push the boundaries of traditional game development. We worked with talented theater actors and filmed their performances in front of a green screen. This process required us to capture a wide range of emotions and actions that were essential to the game’s narrative. The actors’ performances were then imported as image sequences into Unreal Engine 5, where we used advanced virtual production techniques to integrate them seamlessly into the game world. Although our budget was limited for an indie game, I’m pleased with how their performance enriched the narrative. Of course, looking ahead, if we ever have the opportunity to film actors in real time in front of a sophisticated virtual set, the results would be much more convincing.
Realism and authenticity
The inclusion of real actors brought a certain degree of realism to NightGhast this would have been difficult to achieve with purely digital characters. The subtle nuances of human representation added depth to the characters, making the horror elements more impactful and the story more exciting.
- Improved player immersion
Using real actors helped create more believable interactions and strengthen the emotional connection between the player and the game. The actors’ performances were not just visual; they also conveyed the underlying tension and fear essential for a horror game, drawing players deeper into the experience. For example, one of the main antagonists in the game is inspired by Alpine folklore, a mystical figure called “Schnabelperchten”. We experimented with a lot of details in her costume and makeup, which would have been nearly impossible if we were to develop this character as a 3D model given our very limited budget.
- Innovation in game development
This project demonstrated the potential of combining traditional filmmaking techniques with modern game development tools. By using green screen and virtual production, we were able to create complex scenes and character interactions more efficiently and with greater creative freedom.
Obstacles we have overcome
While the process was incredibly rewarding, there were also some challenges. Filming in front of a green screen requires precise lighting and camera work to ensure the actors’ performances are accurately captured. Additionally, integrating these performances into a real-time engine like Unreal Engine 5 required overcoming some issues such as “video codes.” Initially, we had certain issues with video and audio codecs on different platforms and ended up having to develop new workflows and pipelines to manage the data and ensure the final product was seamless.
What’s next?
The success of NightGhast has opened up new possibilities for future projects. The technique of using real actors filmed in front of a green screen can be applied to different genres and game types, and offers a way to bring more lifelike characters and performances into the game world. This approach not only enhances the storytelling potential of games, but also offers actors the opportunity to explore new forms of performance art.NightGhast is a groundbreaking blend of traditional filmmaking and cutting-edge game development that creates a unique and immersive horror experience. This innovative approach sets NightGhast and paves the way for future projects that will continue to push the boundaries of interactive storytelling. As an indie developer, this journey has been incredibly fulfilling, and I hope that you too will soon be immersed in a strange and eerie world when you immerse yourself in NightGhast, now available on Xbox.
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