My game does not look through your personal data. It does the exact same things that many other horror games have done in the past. All it does is displays your System name, and attempts to display an image from your desktop. It does nothing with the data other than, in essence, use them as game assets.
Also there is a disclaimer on the store page that states this.
(THE REVIEW/COMMENT BELOW COMES FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS IN A BAD MENTAL SPACE DURING THE TIME OF WRITING AND IS NOT AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THE GAME, USER, OR DEVELOPERS! PLEASE READ THE REPLIES INSTEAD)
Don't even waste your time downloading this "game". Watch literally any YouTuber play it. The experience will not differ from theirs. This is a terrible "game".
Your answers do not make any difference to what actually happens in the game. You're literally just clicking and moving the mouse to continue reading. It pretends to be a horror game with its ONE terrible jumpscare, then forces you down the narrative as it was before. This isn't a game. This isn't even an interactive story. It's a badly written "thought experiment" at best. It takes what Doki Doki Literature Club, and many others like it, did... but so much worse.
EDIT: I've seen pixel art comics that are more interactive than this.
After looking in to the developer's home page, it makes this game even more disappointing. Their other games are really great, and seem to have a lot of effort and love poured into them. It's just a shame that this misses a lot of that. (Yes, I know this was for a game jam. Yes I know how hard game jams are. A lot of game jam games are on here and have at least some variability based on how you play.)
You're absolutely right. Nobody's experience is any different! A majority of games you play follow a linear story that does not change at all to the player's decisions. This is very much by design, and just because you don't like it doesn't make it a terrible game. Start Survey wasn't even intended to be considered a "game" in the first place, but rather as a short story about a man who realizes that all his choices were programmed, and that he is, in fact, the UI of a computer.
The jumpscare isn't why I consider it a horror game. I consider it "horror" because it's like The Twilight Zone. In fact, I spent a good deal of time studying the story structure and methodology of The Twilight Zone before writing my script. The horror isn't in the unsettling room, or the visions you see in the dark. The horror is found in the deep philosophical implications of whether or not free will exists.
Also, contrary to what you said, I poured far more love and effort into making this game than most (if not all) of my other games. This is a story that I've been wanting to adapt for a long time, and I finally have the skills and opportunity to make it. People's opinions on the game, good or bad, do not define the amount of time, care, and detail that I tried to put into every corner of it.
I understand why you don't like the game, and I think it's a valid reason to not enjoy something. However, rather than providing constructive criticism, which I would have respected quite a lot, you blatantly bashed me and all the people who have enjoyed Start Survey who have supported me and given me real / helpful feedback.
One year ago, I was in a very bad place mentally. This by no means excuses my actions, and I won't be deleting or editing what I said because it stands as a testament to where I was and it gives context to both the reply from the creators, and this reply now.
If I could clarify my original opinion of the game in a more constructive way, I would have to say that I was disappointed that it was called a game, not a narrative.
Having some time and distance from that original reaction (and reading the response from the creators) I would like to say that it accomplishes what it set out to be very well. After all, what is video game design, but another way to tell a story? What I can say to my past self is, "If you're disappointed in the lack of agency during the story having an impact on the result of the game, play a different game." If I were trying to be more malicious, I would probably say "You must really hate movies and books huh?" But let's cut me some slack here.
PixelDough's response is not only thoughtful and respectful. It also shows a lot of respect for their work and the product itself. If you want a REAL review of this game, take their reply as FAR more accurate of a review than my original comment.
Happy to hear you’re in a better mental place now. Thank you for taking the time to come back to this as well! I don’t normally check my notifications anymore on itch, but I saw this comment and I think it’s awesome that you’re still here and are strong enough to say that. Hope life is treating you well now, and thanks again for this reply :)
But I really do not appreciate these guys posting their vids here... they take it like a free promo for themselves. Most of them are small YTbers with very, very low sub count and in my eyes they only want to make more views out of this.
i absolutely loved this. the atmosphere was creepy, and there weren't too many jumpscares, which is something i really like in horror games. when it said my name on the laptop, i got a bit scared and instantly turned my lights back on lol. great game, also that ending really surprised me!
You are the computer itself. Nothing around you is real, it’s all a digital manifestation of the data in the computer. That’s what the ending tells you. You’re sitting at a “desktop” with games, and pictures on it, and there’s a trash bin nearby. You are the main character (hence why it calls you by your name).
I'm assuming he is using mac OS since I have the same issue. I can't move the mouse otherwise it jitters about the screen trying to get back to the center like a rubber band.
Interesting idea for a game. Didn't find it as creepy or scary as I thought it would be, based on some of the comments, although it did have a good little jump scare.
I thought this would be fun until I suddenly saw my birth name pop up onto my screen. Nope. I'm out. Turns out I still don't like horror/thriller games.
Great job, I had fun with this. One scare in particular sent chills up my spine, and I love games that interact with your computer. This is the second game in the video - 14:02
Hellow there creator. I played your game and it was pretty good. I was really scared of that monster behind the desk... Holy crap!! Anyway here is my gameplay. ENJOY!!
This is most likely a problem with your firewall. Recent Macs have the problem of blocking any app that isn't signed by them, from the App Store. You might dig into the settings app to see what can be changed.
Another possible fix is this:
Right click the app.
Select "Run".
If the pop-up menu has new buttons, click whichever one equates to "run anyways"
← Return to Thriller
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is there a version for Windows 32-bit version?
I haven’t released a 32-bit version yet, but I probably will for the next update :) Stay tuned
Okay,i will wait)
How can I play it seems I can’t do anything but I am on iPad can you play on iPad?
No, unfortunately, it is only available for Windows, Mac, and Linux
Really fun and short game, would advise playing it. It spooks you a bit and may send chills down your spine here and there but its not too intense.
I can't even download it, so I went on YouTube to watch others play it and found out that it looks through your personal data
DO NOT download
My game does not look through your personal data. It does the exact same things that many other horror games have done in the past. All it does is displays your System name, and attempts to display an image from your desktop. It does nothing with the data other than, in essence, use them as game assets.
Also there is a disclaimer on the store page that states this.
no it doesn't you dumbass
I can't open the game, but the task manager says it's running
(THE REVIEW/COMMENT BELOW COMES FROM SOMEONE WHO WAS IN A BAD MENTAL SPACE DURING THE TIME OF WRITING AND IS NOT AN ACCURATE REPRESENTATION OF THE GAME, USER, OR DEVELOPERS! PLEASE READ THE REPLIES INSTEAD)
Don't even waste your time downloading this "game". Watch literally any YouTuber play it. The experience will not differ from theirs. This is a terrible "game".
Your answers do not make any difference to what actually happens in the game. You're literally just clicking and moving the mouse to continue reading. It pretends to be a horror game with its ONE terrible jumpscare, then forces you down the narrative as it was before. This isn't a game. This isn't even an interactive story. It's a badly written "thought experiment" at best. It takes what Doki Doki Literature Club, and many others like it, did... but so much worse.
EDIT: I've seen pixel art comics that are more interactive than this.
After looking in to the developer's home page, it makes this game even more disappointing. Their other games are really great, and seem to have a lot of effort and love poured into them. It's just a shame that this misses a lot of that. (Yes, I know this was for a game jam. Yes I know how hard game jams are. A lot of game jam games are on here and have at least some variability based on how you play.)
You're absolutely right. Nobody's experience is any different! A majority of games you play follow a linear story that does not change at all to the player's decisions. This is very much by design, and just because you don't like it doesn't make it a terrible game. Start Survey wasn't even intended to be considered a "game" in the first place, but rather as a short story about a man who realizes that all his choices were programmed, and that he is, in fact, the UI of a computer.
The jumpscare isn't why I consider it a horror game. I consider it "horror" because it's like The Twilight Zone. In fact, I spent a good deal of time studying the story structure and methodology of The Twilight Zone before writing my script. The horror isn't in the unsettling room, or the visions you see in the dark. The horror is found in the deep philosophical implications of whether or not free will exists.
Also, contrary to what you said, I poured far more love and effort into making this game than most (if not all) of my other games. This is a story that I've been wanting to adapt for a long time, and I finally have the skills and opportunity to make it. People's opinions on the game, good or bad, do not define the amount of time, care, and detail that I tried to put into every corner of it.
I understand why you don't like the game, and I think it's a valid reason to not enjoy something. However, rather than providing constructive criticism, which I would have respected quite a lot, you blatantly bashed me and all the people who have enjoyed Start Survey who have supported me and given me real / helpful feedback.
One year ago, I was in a very bad place mentally. This by no means excuses my actions, and I won't be deleting or editing what I said because it stands as a testament to where I was and it gives context to both the reply from the creators, and this reply now.
If I could clarify my original opinion of the game in a more constructive way, I would have to say that I was disappointed that it was called a game, not a narrative.
Having some time and distance from that original reaction (and reading the response from the creators) I would like to say that it accomplishes what it set out to be very well. After all, what is video game design, but another way to tell a story? What I can say to my past self is, "If you're disappointed in the lack of agency during the story having an impact on the result of the game, play a different game." If I were trying to be more malicious, I would probably say "You must really hate movies and books huh?" But let's cut me some slack here.
PixelDough's response is not only thoughtful and respectful. It also shows a lot of respect for their work and the product itself. If you want a REAL review of this game, take their reply as FAR more accurate of a review than my original comment.
Happy to hear you’re in a better mental place now. Thank you for taking the time to come back to this as well! I don’t normally check my notifications anymore on itch, but I saw this comment and I think it’s awesome that you’re still here and are strong enough to say that. Hope life is treating you well now, and thanks again for this reply :)
scared the hell out of me +1 keep it up
Really enjoyed this game. A few very good spooks in this one. Nice job my friend! Recommend this for anyone that wants to check it out!
I love this game! Boissss
I liked it :) Short, creepy, interesting :)
But I really do not appreciate these guys posting their vids here... they take it like a free promo for themselves. Most of them are small YTbers with very, very low sub count and in my eyes they only want to make more views out of this.
Dude that effect with the file on the desk really freaked the hell out of me, nice job dude
I definitely had a good time playing this, it wasn't what I was expecting at all. Do keep up the good work!!
i absolutely loved this. the atmosphere was creepy, and there weren't too many jumpscares, which is something i really like in horror games. when it said my name on the laptop, i got a bit scared and instantly turned my lights back on lol. great game, also that ending really surprised me!
Why is the folder empty?
It's supposed to snag a picture off your desktop to freak me out. Mine was a meme and I laughed.
Haha! Well it’s not exactly supposed to scare you, it’s actually evidence for why YOU are the computer! It’s an image on your “desktop”
You're going to have to explain this, not sure what you mean by "YOU are the computer."
You are the computer itself. Nothing around you is real, it’s all a digital manifestation of the data in the computer. That’s what the ending tells you. You’re sitting at a “desktop” with games, and pictures on it, and there’s a trash bin nearby. You are the main character (hence why it calls you by your name).
This game got me good.
My mouse is all glitchy on it
That’s not good! What OS are you using?
I'm assuming he is using mac OS since I have the same issue. I can't move the mouse otherwise it jitters about the screen trying to get back to the center like a rubber band.
Correct
Very nice, definitely impressed on the way the game kept pressuring the player on and on.
Interesting idea for a game. Didn't find it as creepy or scary as I thought it would be, based on some of the comments, although it did have a good little jump scare.
Nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope nope
I thought this would be fun until I suddenly saw my birth name pop up onto my screen. Nope. I'm out. Turns out I still don't like horror/thriller games.
Well I’m glad you gave it a shot <3 It’s got a happy ending, and the name it found is whatever your computer’s name is in system settings :)
Oh, ok. That's good to know that's all it is. I should really try to be less paranoid hahaha.
If it has a happy ending, maybe I can brave another try. Are there jumpscares I should be aware of? I'm such a coward lol
Great job, I had fun with this. One scare in particular sent chills up my spine, and I love games that interact with your computer. This is the second game in the video - 14:02
wow ps1 garphic l like it
hey bro why did you delete your discord account ?
why did u leave discord ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!
I thought I was completely jaded when it came to horror games, but that actually made me jump a little. Nice job. ;)
This Game has an Eerie
Scared the hell outta me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qP7XZo3k7-E
Hellow there creator. I played your game and it was pretty good. I was really scared of that monster behind the desk... Holy crap!! Anyway here is my gameplay. ENJOY!!
Hey there spectators and dev,
I'll admit it, I broke. I wasnt going to play this game but something kept begging me to scratch the itch. Like it had something I needed to see.
It was interesting to say this least.
Have fun spectators . . .
- L Squared
Can you make a 32 bit for windows?
Hi! The Mac version of the game doesn't seem to work. Looking forward to playing this game soon!
This is most likely a problem with your firewall. Recent Macs have the problem of blocking any app that isn't signed by them, from the App Store. You might dig into the settings app to see what can be changed.
Another possible fix is this:
I'm facing this exact problem too
Really cool game
Amazing
It's fine for what it is, I've sadly seen all the tricks the game uses though. I think it's worth playing.
Fun little game!
Best horror game i played in a while. Short, intense, meaningful.
very creepy and scary, my skin crawled when the game started taking things from my computer.
Great Job!
Interesting concept for the game, creepy but interesting :D
do you think that you can put it out for chromebook??? cause the game won't run for me
I have the same problem I want to play it on my chromebook but every game i download it never works.