Camera View:
The survivors will either be in a third or first person view. Haven’t decided if I want to take advantage of the gap behind a person for added effect.
The house will have a top down view for each level of the house that shows both players location.
Character:
House: Which happens to be the embodied spirit of Desmond, a serial rapist/murderer.
Survivors: The names are not important. Since this house is a couple hundred of years old, and you’re dealing with a time paradox, the name of the survivors really matter very little.
Environment:
For each survivor it is night time, the weather may be different or the same for each person. The main environment for each survivor is the house and navigating through it. The floor plan is the same for each the look of their environment is not. One may have some remodeling being done while the other has it finished.
The house will have clocks all around because Desmond was killed at 4:25 and you have to get out before then.
An indicator on screen for proximity to the other player will be viewable only when they become too separated. This may be identifiable by more audio cues or warping of their current world.
Core Game Mechanic:
Simultaneous play by two players seen as ghosts to one another, in an attempt to escape the house.
Mechanisms put in place so that each player will work together. Though the ghost like nature will help add some randomness and suspense.
AI:
One survivor and the house have to be controlled by the AI when playing single player. Also when Desmond is loose in the house he needs to be controlled.
Physics:
Simple physics. Not a large amount of throwing or knocking over of objects. Stuff will randomly fall and maybe roll around but that’s about it.
Audio:
Large amount of audio from each survivor and mainly the house. This is used as a way to draw the characters apart, so it can get the kill and just scare the hell out of each player.
Networking:
Will be a networked game with a matchmaking service or a game lobby. Because the number of players is limited and the pace is slower shouldn’t require too much network resources.