Houses Hidden Spirits-The Roadmap to Terror

Source: Dev.to

🕯️ Introduction

Ever wondered how to build a psychological horror game that haunts players without a single jump scare?

Here’s the full roadmap for my game, Houses: Hidden Spirits, leading to its official completion on December 16, 2029, 1:46 PM.

2026 – Laying the Foundation 🛠️

Jan – Jun

• Lock in the core mechanics: sanity system, bed sleep, hallucinations
• Prototype the main spirit with a forced grin and no eyes
• Test the basic rooms and flickering lights for maximum creepiness

Jul – Dec

• Build a 1‑2 room playable demo
• Observe early player reactions
• Research multi‑device scaling

2027 – Expansion & Multi‑Device 🌐

Jan – Jun

• Expand the house: more rooms, more secrets
• Implement subtle hallucinations and environmental creep
• Optimize the game for PC, Mac, and mobile devices

Jul – Dec

• Add WebGL / HTML5 support for browsers
• Begin console prep: Switch, Steam Deck, PlayStation, Xbox
• Test device scaling — ensuring the horror stays intact everywhere

2028 – Polish & Hallucination Depth 🎨

Jan – Jun

• Finalize main spirit behavior: watching mechanics and rare sleep‑frame events
• Improve lighting and ambient sound on all devices
• Ensure hallucinations remain kid‑friendly but unsettling

Jul – Dec

• Add optional secrets, diary entries, and a false “safe ending”
• Test the first sleep scene and hidden consequences
• Gather feedback from friends or small testers

2029 – Finalization & Release Prep 🚪

Jan – Jun

• Implement final UI touches: sanity bar, health system, bed interface
• Ensure cross‑device controls work perfectly
• Bug fixing and performance optimization

Jul – Dec 15

• Final playtests
• Polish audio, lighting, and visual consistency
• Marketing prep: teaser images, Dev.to updates, social posts

Dec 16, 2029 · 1:46 PM

🎉 Official game completion – the world finally meets Houses: Hidden Spirits.

Tips to Stay on Track 🧩

• Break the roadmap into half‑year milestones
• Keep small playable demos to see your scares in action
• Document everything for future updates or sequels

💡 This roadmap is more than just a schedule — it’s a blueprint for building fear, suspense, and unforgettable horror experiences across devices.