Haunt (video game) explained

Haunt
Developer:NanaOn-Sha
Zoë Mode
Publisher:Microsoft Studios
Platforms:Xbox 360 (Xbox Live Arcade)
Genre:Adventure, survival horror
Modes:Single-player

Haunt is a horror-themed adventure game developed by NanaOn-Sha and Zoë Mode, and published by Microsoft Studios. It was made available for download worldwide on the Xbox 360 via Xbox Live Arcade on January 18, 2012. The game requires the Kinect peripheral.

Gameplay

Haunt is played using the Kinect peripheral.[1] Players use their body to control gameplay. One hand is used to control the on-screen flashlight, while other motions do things such as opening sarcophagi and doors. Emphasis on the player's entire body is used. For example, the player must cover their ears to avoid the loud scream of a banshee.[2] Some sections of the game are automatically navigated, while in others players are free to roam the environment.

Development

Haunt was conceived by Masaya Matsuura.[3] [4] It was revealed at the Tokyo Game Show 2010.[5] The game was designed to be child friendly rather than be a horror-focused title.[6] British development team Zoë Mode created the majority of the game including programming, artwork and design with NanaOn-Sha overseeing the project.[7] The game was originally planned for a 2011 release, but was delayed until 2012.[8] Tim Schafer is featured as the voice of Benjamin Muldoon, the mansion's owner and narrator in the game.[9]

Reception

Haunt received generally mixed reviews, resulting in the aggregate scores of 74% on GameRankings and 70 out of 100 on Metacritic.[10] [11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Haunt preview: Spirited entertainment . . . JC Fletcher . September 23, 2011 . January 12, 2012 . October 25, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111025103038/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/09/23/haunt-preview-spirited-entertainment/ . live .
  2. Web site: Lots Of Gameplay, Giant Eye In New Haunt Trailer . GameSetWatch . . Caoili . Eric . September 23, 2011 . January 12, 2012 . October 17, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111017101226/http://www.gamesetwatch.com/2011/09/haunt.php . live .
  3. Web site: Horror Game Haunt Coming from Parappa Creator for Kinect . . . Cifaldi . Frank . September 15, 2011 . January 12, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150321190404/http://www.1up.com/news/horror-game-haunt-coming-parappa-kinect . March 21, 2015 . dead .
  4. Web site: Haunt developers inspired by Tim Schafer's GDC speech . . December 29, 2011 . January 12, 2012 . Watts . Steve . January 13, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120113012324/http://www.shacknews.com/article/71766/haunt-developers-talk-bringing-on-tim-schafer . live .
  5. Web site: PaRappa Creator Turns Kinect Into A Haunted House . . . Plunkett . Luke . September 16, 2010 . January 12, 2012 . September 22, 2010 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100922030202/http://kotaku.com/5639339/parappa-creator-turns-kinect-into-a-haunted-house . live .
  6. Web site: Do You Know Whose Voice Haunts This Game? . Kotaku . Gawker Media . Ashcraft . Brian . September 15, 2011 . January 12, 2012 . December 21, 2011 . https://web.archive.org/web/20111221072516/http://kotaku.com/5840553/do-you-know-whose-voice-is-in-parappas-last-game . live .
  7. Web site: NanaOn-Sha: Changing The World Of Games . . UBM Tech . Sheffield . Brandon . December 29, 2011 . January 12, 2012 . January 13, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120113041806/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6581/nanaonsha_changing_the_world_of_.php . live .
  8. PaRappa The Rapper Creator Making Haunted House Sim For Kinect . https://web.archive.org/web/20100921120735/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/09/15/parappa-the-rapper-creator-making-haunted-house-sim-for-kinect.aspx . dead . September 21, 2010 . . . Kollar . Phil . September 2010.
  9. Web site: NanaOn-Sha: Changing The World Of Games. Sheffield. Brandon. December 29, 2011. Gamasutra. 27 January 2012. 26 January 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20120126212348/http://www.gamasutra.com/view/feature/6581/nanaonsha_changing_the_world_of_.php?page=4. live.
  10. Web site: Haunt for Xbox 360 . . . April 20, 2012 . May 1, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120501130455/http://www.gamerankings.com/xbox360/606284-haunt/index.html . live .
  11. Web site: Haunt for Xbox 360 . . . April 20, 2012 . April 15, 2012 . https://web.archive.org/web/20120415141521/http://www.metacritic.com/game/xbox-360/haunt . live .