Game developer and inspiration
Developed solo by Kevin Jochems, The Pines draws inspiration from the psychological horror game Alan Wake and was noticed at the Future Games Show last June. The game is now published by Silver Lining Interactive.Background of the creator
The Pines is the first game from Studio Abattoir, created by Jochems, whose experience in corporate videos and 3D animation led him to discover the Unreal Engine and, by extension, game development. The Dutchman invested his time in The Pines, with only Daphne Betten for 2D illustrations and artistic direction, as well as Yaron Mesika for motion capture and voice acting.Game setting and gameplay
The Pines puts the player in the shoes of Edward Walker, a detective exhausted by the failure of an investigation, who has been advised to go to a therapy center lost in the forest to refresh himself. On site, among the pines, Walker will mainly encounter disturbing visions and very disturbed characters in a conspiratorial atmosphere.Game mechanics and features
Combat is also part of the game, although firearms and ammunition are rare. The tools to cause harm are not lacking, as demonstrated by the axe used appropriately in this trailer. The game seeks to recreate the paranoid atmosphere of Alan Wake and adds an open-world investigation as well as a Stalker System influenced by the player's choices.Developer's vision and release plans
"Say the wrong thing, oppose the wrong person or dig too deeply, and a seemingly harmless inhabitant can return as a tracker, chasing you through the forests of The Pines," explains the Steam page of the game. For now, the release of The Pines is planned for 2027 on Steam.
