Last Updated on Sep 2, 2025 @ 14:39:33 PM.
After a recent overhaul of the title, Haunted Bloodlines, I got the opportunity to talk to the developers behind said title as we talked about the overhauled mechanics that have been altered and even added to the game, the numerous inspirations that led to the game, and the challenges they went through with their project starting as a school project and evolving into a commercial title.
For those who are not aware, Haunted Bloodlines is an upcoming first-person psychological horror title from the developer Horrified Triangles that puts players inside a living, breathing mansion that is full of horrors awaiting around each corner, as well as secrets that hide both in the present and the past, which players will need to explore using their mystical time-travelling powers in order to discover the secrets of their families’ past.
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| Due to this being a written/speech interview, some answers have been edited for clarity/brevity, without removing intent and context. |
First of All, so Our Readers Know, Who Are You, and What Role Do You Play Within Your Studio?
We are two core developers behind Haunted Bloodlines, Yiannis Soukoulis and Maya Skrimponi. Our primary role is as lead game programmers, but as with many small indie studios, our responsibilities go far beyond just coding. We’re deeply involved in almost every aspect of development: from gameplay design and system implementation to story development and even environmental design. It’s a very hands-on process where we wear many hats, but that’s also what makes indie development exciting because you get to shape the game in more ways than one.
What Led to the Creation of Haunted Bloodlines and Its Unique Gameplay Concepts?
Haunted Bloodlines actually began as a student project on a much smaller scale. The initial focus was purely on building the core mechanics before fleshing out the story. We spent about six months iterating on the basic systems and experimenting with ideas that felt engaging. At some point, we asked ourselves what could truly make our game stand out from other horror titles.
That’s when the idea of time manipulation came into play. The pocket watch mechanic, allowing players to bend timelines and shift perspectives, became the heart of the game. Once that was in place, the narrative naturally grew around it, weaving together multiple dimensions and time periods.
During the Trailer We Can See There Is a Sanity Mechanic Within the Game; These Mechanics Can Prove Quite Difficult Both for the Developer to Create and the Player to Experience. Did You Come Across Any Challenges With This Mechanic?
Yes, absolutely. The sanity system was designed to add an extra layer of challenge, and it became more complex than we initially anticipated. The hallucinations aren’t just scripted; many of them are dynamic events that react to the player’s current state. Balancing this was tricky. We had to carefully manage when and how hallucinations occur, making sure they were frightening but not overwhelming.
On top of that, we needed to design the environment thoughtfully. The placement of light sources, opportunities to recover sanity, and the availability of medication all had to be calculated to give players both tension and relief at the right moments. It was one of the hardest systems to design, but also one of the most rewarding because it really deepens the horror experience.
Due to the Story Taking Place Through Numerous Dimensions/Time Periods, Were There Any Issues in Keeping the Story Straight During Development, or Did You Create a System to Keep It on Track?
Keeping track of multiple dimensions and timelines was definitely a challenge. To avoid chaos, we created extensive documentation as developers, including flowcharts, narrative diagrams, and reference files. These helped us maintain consistency across dimensions, making sure events lined up correctly. It also allowed us to see where we could create interesting narrative overlaps without confusing the player. It’s almost like we had to “develop a bible” for the game’s lore to ensure everything stayed cohesive.
Recently You Have Managed to Do an Overhaul to Haunted Bloodlines With Improvements to Gameplay, Graphics, and Much More. Were There Any Challenges You Faced During This Process?
Oh yes, overhauls always come with new challenges. For instance, one of the biggest environmental issues we encountered was that earlier versions of the mansion had very low ceilings, which limited how we could work with lighting and atmosphere. During the overhaul, we had to redesign those spaces and adapt all the lighting setups to fit the new architecture.
Gameplay-wise, we also introduced new mechanics based on community feedback. One example is the candle with a magnifying glass, which allows players to defend themselves against smaller hallucination threats. It wasn’t part of the original vision, but after feedback, we realized it added a meaningful layer of strategy. These kinds of changes forced us to rethink both design and balance, but they made the game much stronger.
How Are You Making Sure to Stand Out, Both From a Gameplay and Horror POV, in Such a Saturated Genre?
We’re not trying to reinvent the wheel. Horror as a genre already has many amazing examples, and we acknowledge that. What we want to do is bring our own story and our own flavor of horror into the mix. Where we strive to stand out is with the time manipulation mechanics and the interplay between different dimensions. The shifting of timelines and realities isn’t just a visual trick; it directly ties into gameplay and narrative, creating moments that feel unique and memorable. That’s the element we hope will make Haunted Bloodlines truly distinct
Is There Anything You Wished to Include Within Haunted Bloodlines That You Were Unable to Make a Reality?
Yes, quite a few things. For example, in early builds, the game had a jump mechanic intended for climbing and entering the mansion from the outside, but it had to be removed due to time constraints. We also experimented with allowing players to replace broken lamps caused by paranormal events, which would have added more depth to the sanity system.
Additionally, we wanted to provide more defensive options against larger enemies, such as temporary stuns or expanded hiding spots. Unfortunately, when you’re developing on a tight schedule, you can’t include everything. That said, some of these ideas may return in future projects, either in expansions or completely new games.
What Games, New and Old, Have Inspired You?
We’re big fans of horror as players ourselves. Games like Visage, Madison, and Outlast were strong influences on Haunted Bloodlines. Each of them has elements we admire, whether it’s atmosphere, storytelling, or mechanics, and they definitely shaped our approach to what makes a horror game truly unsettling
As a Group of Students Having Their Game Grow From a Project Into a Full-Blown Game With a Commercial Release, Is There Any Advice You Would Give Upcoming Developers Like Yourselves?
The most important advice is: just start creating. Don’t wait for the “perfect idea” or “perfect conditions” because they never really come. Start small, learn as you go, and let your project grow organically. It’s easy to get discouraged by comparing yourself to big studios, but indie development is about finding your own voice. And perhaps most importantly, be patient. Everything takes longer than expected, and challenges are constant, but if you stay consistent and passionate, the project will evolve into something you’re proud of.
With This Being Your First Project, Are There Any Plans for Future Projects Within the Same Genre, or Are You Looking to Expand Your Horizons?
Right now, our full focus is on delivering the best possible version of Haunted Bloodlines. That said, we already have ideas for future projects. We’d love to expand further into narrative-driven horror, with even deeper storytelling and world-building. Horror will likely remain a core genre for us, but we’re also open to blending it with other genres in creative ways.
During the Development of Haunted Bloodlines, Were There Any Moments That Made You Feel Extremely Proud That You Feel Players Should Know About?
We’re particularly proud of the atmosphere we’ve managed to create. The way environments shift between dimensions, and how that affects the player’s sense of reality, is something we’re very excited about. Seeing it come to life for the first time was a big milestone for us, and we hope players will feel the same sense of awe and unease that we did while developing it.
Even Though You Are a New Studio Within the Industry, Is There Any Misconception That Outsiders Believe About Your Profession That Annoys You?
One common misconception is that game developers “just sit in a chair all day and don’t get tired.” The reality is very different. As a small studio, we constantly have to switch roles, from programmers to designers, writers, testers, and even marketers. It’s mentally demanding and often exhausting. There’s also the idea that making games is “just fun,” but in truth, it’s a mix of creativity, problem-solving, and long hours of technical work. We love what we do, but it’s a lot more intense than people on the outside sometimes realize.
At the Moment There Is No Full Release Date for Haunted Bloodlines, but Is There Any Window You Are Looking to Aim For?
We are currently aiming for a Q4 2025 release window. Development is progressing well, but as with any indie project, we prefer not to rush. Quality and player experience are more important to us than hitting a specific deadline.
Are There Any Aims/Hopes to Bring Haunted Bloodlines Onto Consoles as Well as PC, and if So Would You Look Towards Xbox Game Pass as a Way to Do This?
Our initial release will be on PC and PlayStation 5, but yes, we do have plans to bring Haunted Bloodlines to other consoles in the future. As for Xbox Game Pass, it’s definitely something we would consider if the opportunity arises, since it could bring our game to a wider audience and help more players discover it.
At the time of writing, Haunted Bloodlines does have a demo for players to try out on Steam, but no release window is set yet.
For more Thumb Wars Gaming coverage, check out our review of SHINOBI: Art of Vengeance, or check out our interview with the developer behind the upcoming title, Orbyss. Otherwise, follow Thumb Wars on X, Facebook, TikTok, and Instagram to keep up with the latest news, reviews, and interviews.
I am a long-time writer who enjoys talking about numerous different game genres as well as playing them. My main focuses are games like Helldivers 2, Warframe, and so much more.
