Horror Legends

Lead Game Designer, Project Manager, Lead 3D Artist
PC, Asymmetrical Multiplayer PvP 2–6 Players
Early Access 2018, Full Release 2021

Horror Legends is an asymmetrical multiplayer survival horror game built around tense cat-and-mouse gameplay, emergent objectives, and close-quarters combat inspired by classic slasher and supernatural horror tropes. The game emphasizes player choice, emergent encounters, and replayability while maintaining clarity and readability for competitive play.

STEAM STORE PAGE
 

Core Gameplay & Mechanics Design

I led the design of all core gameplay systems, including:

  • Asymmetrical balance between Cast members and Legends

  • Multiple win conditions supporting varied strategies and emergent play

  • Combat mechanics including hit detection, attack timing, and movement responsiveness

  • Testing, iteration, and adjustment of mechanics based on internal and external playtests

My focus was on ensuring player actions produced clear, readable results, with responsive combat and emergent tension. Iterative analysis of player behavior informed balance decisions and gameplay refinements.

Level Design & Player Experience

  • Handcrafted maps such as vandalized farmhouses, junkyards, and forests were designed to support stealth, ambushes, and chase dynamics

  • Layouts prioritized line-of-sight clarity, environmental storytelling, and player readability

  • Light procedural variation between rounds was implemented to prevent memorization and maintain replayability

  • Environmental NPCs such as the Harbinger and the Cat added dynamic world interactions to maintain suspense and immersion even when Legends were not present

Character & Ability Design

  • Cast members were designed with unique movement, stats, and loadouts to encourage meaningful player choice

  • Legends feature distinct abilities and playstyles, including high-durability, objective-based immortality, and minion systems

  • All abilities and animations were iteratively tested to ensure clarity, feedback, and player readability

Systems, Progression & User Experience

  • Bot support for solo and multiplayer ensured accessibility and enabled iterative testing

  • Fate Points progression system rewards strategic play and cosmetic customization, enhancing long-term engagement

  • Systems were designed to scale easily for new content, Legends, and Cast members without disrupting core mechanics

  • Focused on UX principles, player feedback, and usability, including tutorials, loadouts, and in-game communication

Crossover Guest Character

The game includes a guest Legend, Radu from the Subspecies horror film franchise, reprised by actor Anders Hove. This reinforced the game’s connection to classic horror IP while providing a high-profile, genre-authentic character for players.

DLC STEAM STORE PAGE
 

Production, Scope & Project Management

Developed by a small team under a limited budget, I coordinated all aspects of design, asset creation, and production pipelines. Responsibilities included:

  • Managing schedules and milestones across gameplay, animation, and 3D asset production

  • Rapid iteration on mechanics and level design based on testing and player feedback

  • Cross-discipline collaboration to ensure clarity, consistency, and quality under resource constraints

Reflection & Future Improvements

Future improvements would focus on expanding Legend and Cast variety, refining tutorials and onboarding, improving AI for NPCs and bots, and increasing environmental interactivity. Emphasis would remain on player experience, usability, and emergent gameplay systems, ensuring new content continues to support clarity, tension, and replayability.

Impact & Achievements

Horror Legends is a fully shipped asymmetrical multiplayer title that demonstrates:

  • Expertise in game mechanics and level design for emergent multiplayer experiences

  • Strong UX and usability focus with HCI-informed iteration

  • Leadership across design, production, and 3D asset creation

  • Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and adapt to evolving development needs

  • Integration of licensed IP to enhance player engagement and genre authenticity