Abyssal Trace

Inspiration

I've always liked horror games where you have to question people and figure out whether they're telling the truth. Games like No, I'm Not a Human and Shift by Midnight inspired me to create something similar, but with digital forensics as the main investigation mechanic.

This year's ocean theme inspired the underwater setting. I also wanted to make learning digital forensics more engaging than traditional labs by turning forensic techniques into interactive gameplay where players actually use what they learn to make decisions.

What it does

Abyssal Trace is a mild horror investigation game where you play as the last operator of a damaged refuge called Pelagic-9.

Four deep-sea creatures arrive looking for shelter, but one is an Echo pretending to be someone else. You have to question each visitor, investigate their digital evidence, and decide whether to admit or deny them.

Players use digital forensic tools to recover files, analyze evidence, and compare findings with station records. Their decisions determine the ending of the game.

How we built it

React, TypeScript, and Vite, with HTML, CSS, and SVG for the interface, artwork, and animations.

Challenges we ran into

One of my biggest challenges was figuring out how to create the game's atmosphere while still making the forensic tools feel like a natural part of the gameplay. I wanted the game to feel mildly unsettling and mysterious, but also make the investigation process interesting and understandable.

Another challenge was implementing the forensic tools themselves and figuring out how to connect their results with the dialogue and player decisions.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

I'm proud of combining horror gameplay with digital forensics and making the investigation tools an important part of the story and player decisions.

What we learned

I learned more about digital forensics, working with binary files, and building interactive games using React and TypeScript. I also learned how to make technical concepts easier to understand through gameplay.

What's next for Abyssal Trace

Expanding the game with more visitors, additional forensic techniques, and more complicated investigations. I also want to improve the artwork, sound design, and overall atmosphere while making the forensic tools more educational without overwhelming players.

Built With

• audio
• css
• fast-png
• html
• javascript
• react
• svg
• typescript
• vite
• web
• web-crypto-api