Andrew Teo, a freelance game developer, fulfilled his childhood dream of creating his own game inspired by Diablo 2. After spending almost five years of his free time developing Ghostlore, a supernatural-themed game, Teo's efforts paid off handsomely. Just a week after its official launch on May 17, Ghostlore has generated over S$500,000 (RM1.7 million) in sales. The game is projected to reach S$1 million in sales by the end of 2023.
Ghostlore immerses gamers in the role of ghost hunters combating supernatural spirits from Southeast Asian folklore in teams of up to four. Players face off against creatures like the Malay ghost pontianak and the Chinese hopping vampire known as jiangshi while protecting the town of Seaport. The game pays homage to Singapore, featuring the iconic merlion and local delicacies such as satay and chicken rice.
Teo, who spent countless hours playing video games in his youth, drew inspiration from games like Diablo 2, Kingdom Hearts, and the Final Fantasy series. Ghostlore's pixelated art and isometric graphics are a nostalgic nod to his childhood gaming experiences. During the development process, Teo sought input from friends and incorporated local folklore, making Ghostlore a unique and culturally relevant game.
Despite not being religious or spiritual himself, Teo conducted extensive research to ensure the game depicted spirits respectfully. The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent lockdown in 2020 provided him with more time to work on the game, and a post about Ghostlore's development on the r/Singapore subreddit brought him internet fame. Teo received suggestions from Reddit users, leading to features like local cuisine being incorporated into the game. He also met programmer Adam Teo, who assisted with game programming and balancing the mechanics.
While Ghostlore's popularity has been fueled by positive reviews and word-of-mouth, Teo is still surprised that the majority of players are from the United States and China. He has received offers to work on other games but is focused on continuing to improve Ghostlore, including fixing Spanish translations and exploring the possibility of releasing the game on different consoles.
The success of Ghostlore has not only been personally rewarding for Teo but has also raised the morale of other indie game developers in Singapore. Shawn Toh, CEO and game designer at BattleBrew Productions, acknowledged the challenges faced by Teo during the game's development and hopes for the success of more indie games in the industry.
Gamers like Liaw Xiao Tao appreciate Ghostlore's character customization options and the incorporation of Singaporean influences in its design. The game's mechanics, thematic visuals, and support for local developers make it a worthwhile purchase for enthusiasts.
As Teo looks ahead, he plans to venture into the realm of science fiction for his next game, hoping to captivate players once again with a new and exciting gaming experience.
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