Psychological Horror Simulation Story Game
Early development of the horror indie game I have been working on alongside Boyd van Lingen, a gaming engineer. 2026–2027 in UE5, Indie, Game Design
The Boat Game - SCRAPPED IDEA
Cozy maritime vessel-identification game. (2025–2027) — UE5, Indie, Game Design
Overview
A relaxing game focused on identifying ships, designed to evoke a sense of wonder and curiosity. Players explore harbors, document unique vessels, and interact with colorful maritime life. The Boat Game is built in Unreal Engine 5 and prioritizes cozy, low-stress engagement.
User Centered Design - Design Player Motivation Mapping
& User Journey Logging System
This follows the GDC 19 talk from Nick Yee who gives a deep dive into each of the 12 motivations in the Gamer Motivation Model, based on a survey of more than 400,000 players. I also created a user journey for the logging design following moments is expected to cause what feelings and thoughts alongside mapping this to a scale of Harmony v.s. Friction.
Roadmap
Planned features include expanded harbors, seasonal events, additional vessel types, and more journaling tools. Development phases are spaced out to foster feedback and continuous refinement for maximum coziness and replayability.
Core Loop
The core gameplay loop encourages players to observe ships, note their characteristics, and correctly identify them against a shifting catalog. Points are earned for accurate IDs and new discoveries, supporting a gentle, engaging progression system.
Journal System
Every vessel identified is added to a persistent journal, including sketches and notes. The journal is the heart of player progression and serves as a visual record—encouraging exploration and attention to detail throughout the experience.
Iconography
Some icons that were remixed from FlatIcon. Remixed them inside Adobe Photoshop.
Credits
Design and development by Mitchell Hartwig. Thanks to all playtesters and contributors who are helping make The Boat Game a relaxing, rewarding indie experience.
