L.O.R.K

L.O.R.K is a third-person shooter survival sandbox game with horror elements, set in infinite space. Your goal is to find fuel for your ship and escape the dust storm that is slowly consuming the entire universe.

Before the main subject:
The gameplay, as shown in the video, is providing not the final shape that the game will have, but it demonstrates the core mechanics of the game. There are nearly infinite possibilities for how each situation could unfold in or outside of theater.

The Game


L.O.R.K is a third-person shooter survival sandbox game with horror elements, set in infinite space. Your goal is to find fuel for your ship and escape the dust storm that is slowly consuming the entire universe.
The game features randomly generated maps, AI, resources, loot, and more. Each time you travel from one location to another or jump at the speed of light, the territory changes. Maps are always random, making it extremely rare to encounter the same map twice, ensuring a unique experience every time you play.
Inside the theater, combat takes a backseat to strategy and puzzle-solving. You can approach challenges in any way you choose, and the game encourages creativity. Whether you're gathering resources, solving puzzles, or dealing with enemies, the way you handle situations is up to you. If you decide to engage in combat immediately, be aware that making a lot of noise might have unintended consequences.
The ship itself is a labyrinth, with every playthrough offering a different layout. All corridors are interconnected, and from any given location, you'll have three possible paths forward to explore new parts of the theater. It’s rare to encounter only one or two routes. Whether through ventilation tubes or other passages, there’s always more than one way to find and power up your ship's engine in order to escape the storm.

Story

I won't go into too much detail to avoid spoiling anything, but here's what you need to know: A mysterious storm is slowly consuming the entire universe, and you must escape its reach. Along the way, you'll be assisted by a partner, and together, you'll face the many threats that arise—both from inside and outside the theater. Your survival depends on your ability to work together and navigate the dangers that lie ahead.

In L.O.R.K, the world you explore is filled with mysterious Theaters—enigmatic structures whose origins and purpose you must uncover. What were they made for? Who or what inhabits them? Why are there no planets, only simulated fragments of planets? And who are you, along with other scavengers and machine-like beings capable of transferring their minds into different bodies?
Every time you move from one location to another or jump at the speed of light, the territory changes. The maps are procedurally generated, meaning it’s extremely rare to encounter the same map twice. The space you traverse is infinite, and each new environment offers a fresh experience. Meanwhile, the places you've left behind are slowly consumed by the ever-encroaching storm.
To reach the Theaters or escape from them, you’ll need to pilot a space-jet, navigating through the vast cosmos.

Atmosphere and Aesthetics

L.O.R.K’s atmosphere is built to evoke a sense of both hopelessness and hope, as you navigate the infinite vastness of space. The artificial planets you encounter feel more alien than the space and theaters themselves, while the theaters are an unsettling blend of the familiar and the uncanny—places that seem designed for rituals rather than habitation. Every location is carefully crafted to make you feel uneasy, as if the environment is both completely foreign and strangely familiar at the same time.
The beings that inhabit the theaters, or those who arrive with the same goal as you—to find fuel for their ship’s engine—serve as a constant reminder of the primal instinct to survive. You must stay on guard, because the storm is always closing in, and your only hope of escaping it lies in your ability to endure.
The game features a wide range of architectural styles, from brutalist to gothic to futuristic, creating a strikingly eclectic environment. As you traverse through narrow corridors that invoke feelings of claustrophobia, you will also find yourself in vast, open spaces as large as small cities. Each area is designed to heighten the tension, constantly challenging your sense of security in this game.


Combat

L.O.R.K does not dictate a single way to approach any given situation—you can choose to move stealthily through the theaters or engage in direct combat with whatever you encounter. However, survival often requires careful thought and strategy. You'll need to decide when to fight and when to avoid confrontation, as your partner will provide advice, though you are free to follow or ignore it. Usually, your partner won’t be with you, leaving you to make decisions on your own, as seen in the gameplay video.
When facing beings inside the theaters, bullets won’t always be enough. Some enemies are immortal, while others can awaken nearby threats if not dealt with quickly. The greatest danger, however, comes from other scavengers—advanced AI that can move through ventilation systems, use gadgets, and wield the same firearms you have. These scavengers are just as capable as you and may not be alone. In any given theater or simulated planet, there can be up to 10 scavengers, split into teams of 2 which means up to 5 teams of scavengers. Additionally, pirates—less advanced but more numerous—can form groups of 3 to 20, sometimes engaging in firefights with each other, turning entire areas into chaotic battlegrounds.
The combat can range from tense cat-and-mouse chases to indirect strategies. If you find yourself outmatched by a scavenger due to a lack of ammunition, poor positioning, or low health, you may need to outthink your opponent. Use the environment to your advantage, creating traps or forcing your enemies into dangerous situations. This could involve making noise to attract “rats,” closing doors to control your movement, or even setting up ambushes. Combat could also escalate into direct gunfights, or in some cases, brutal hand-to-hand or knife combat.

Change of Environment
The environments in L.O.R.K are dynamic and can change over time. Some areas are destructible, while others are built from stronger materials that resist deformation from firepower. In space, you may encounter small storms, mist, asteroids, or even extreme environmental conditions. Some areas may be closer to the sun, requiring your ship to have heat-resistant features, while others may be set on planets with freezing temperatures, forcing you to outfit your ship and suit with heating devices.
Environmental changes inside the theaters can significantly impact gameplay. For example, if a room floods, movement slows, and the sound of footsteps in the water becomes much more noticeable. Gravity can also shift due to the ship's reliance on small black holes or stars for power, and sometimes breaches occur in the generators. Lower gravity may make running impossible, while higher gravity can cause bullets to fall to the ground before reaching their target. However, your body is somewhat protected in these conditions, allowing you to navigate changes more easily, though you may climb stairs more slowly.
In addition to these hazards, you can use the environment to your advantage. Ventilation shafts provide a safe way to travel or hide from enemies, though you'll need explosives or a simple bullet to open them. Bullets tend to be more versatile than grenades in theaters, but both have their place depending on the situation. Some areas contain computers that let you manipulate the environment, such as turning a room into a misty corridor, detonating oxygen tanks to create a fire hazard, or locking doors to trap your enemies.
These examples give you an understanding of the dynamic and dangerous environments you’ll navigate in L.O.R.K, where every decision—whether in combat, exploration, or manipulation of the surroundings—could mean the difference between survival and death.

Tools of Survival

Weapons
Weapons are essential for defending yourself against the threats within the theaters. You'll have access to a variety of firearms, including handguns, automatic rifles, shotguns, and more. However, ammunition is scarce in L.O.R.K, and you'll rarely find resupplies and crafting bullets will require to find specific items. This makes scavenging from pirates or other scavengers a critical part of your survival strategy. If you encounter enemies, you may be able to take their weapons and ammo to use for yourself.
As demonstrated in the gameplay footage, grenades are another vital tool, especially for accessing hidden areas. Ventilation shafts, which can lead you into the darkest corners of the theater, often require explosive force to open. But grenades aren’t just for opening pathways—they can be used creatively, either against your opponents or to manipulate the environment itself. Other explosives, such as bombs with detonators, ice bomb to create an obstacle for opponents in for of an artificial wall, mines, and sticky grenades, provide a variety of tactical options. You’ll need to choose the right tool for the job, depending on the situation.

Gadgets

In addition to weapons, you'll also have access to various gadgets to help you survive. As shown in the footage, you can equip different types of skins made from materials that offer protection against specific threats. For example, metal skins can reduce blunt force damage, while other materials can protect against explosions or extreme cold. However, your skin isn’t invulnerable; as you take damage, your body will accumulate scars, which signifies the degradation of your skin’s protective capabilities. If the skin’s efficiency drops too much (down to 20%), it will no longer provide the same level of protection.
A unique feature in L.O.R.K is the ability to switch between multiple bodies. If you lose the body you’re currently in, your mind will automatically transfer to another one, allowing you to survive. However, if you decide to switch bodies while one is still functional, but the loot that you found in theater or from your opponents will be on your previous body. You can still return to place that your previous body is to collect any useful resources, but if you run out of bodies and you died on your last one, you’ll have to wait for the body to repair itself for long time—a risky proposition as the storm closes in.
Other gadgets include thermal vision, invisibility cloaks, bulletproof shields, and sensors to detect nearby threats. While some gadgets will be available at launch, others may be added or removed as the game evolves.
These tools, whether weapons or gadgets, give you the flexibility to adapt to any situation. You'll need to be resourceful and strategic in how you use them, as the challenges in L.O.R.K require more than just brute force to overcome.

Opponents

• AI Scavenger: As demonstrated in the gameplay video, AI Scavengers are dangerous and adaptable enemies. They will use the same mechanics as your character, including equivalent weapons and health, ensuring a level playing field. The AI Scavenger can think strategically, setting traps and hunting you, often using trickery and deception. This makes each encounter feel like you're facing a real-life player, forcing you to be tactical in how you approach and navigate the theater or any other location. How you handle the situation, whether with stealth or direct combat, will determine your survival.                           
• Advanced Partner AI: You can team up with AI companions to improve your chances of survival. If your ship's engine fails, you can enter their ship to escape the storm, or they may assist you with combat, exploration, and decision-making. However, this partnership isn’t without its risks, as you will rely on their decisions in critical moments.                                                                    
• Pirates and Other Threats: Pirates are opportunistic enemies that roam the theaters looking for loot. While less adaptable than scavengers, they can still present a serious threat. There are also a variety of AI creatures inside the theaters, each with unique behaviors and dangers:                                                              
  • Rats: Zombie-like creatures that are triggered by noise. They aren't particularly dangerous in small numbers, but if one screams, nearby Rats will rush toward the source, potentially overwhelming you if you're not careful.                                                                                      
  • Choir: Mysterious beings that awaken to loud sounds. A few may not pose much of a threat, the difference from Rats that if they reach you while screaming, it’s over and they are more durable, they scream cause the body to feel pain, loose hp and darken the screen. A group can quickly turn deadly. Their presence can cause panic if you’re not mindful of your noise levels.                                            
  •  The Beast: An enigmatic, animal-like creature that primarily appears in areas with low light. It detects movement and navigates through ventilation systems to travel between rooms. The Beast can only see in the dark, and when the lights are turned off, it becomes more active. Your flashlight won’t deter it. Additionally, if you drop a magazine or move an object in a dark room, the Beast will sense the movement and be drawn to the disturbance.                                                           
  • Arlequin: This entity moves only when you're not looking at it. If you turn away, it will close in on you. You can use ice bombs to create barriers or maintain eye contact to survive. But if you get too close, Arlequin will catch you in an instant.

Planned AI Types: There are expected to be over 15 different types of creatures and beings inside and outside of the theaters, with 12 distinct AI enemies already planned. However, this number is subject to change as new creatures are added. Other Game Mechanics

• Looting, Inventory, weapon customization and Crafting System: Gathering resources is crucial to survival. You’ll need to loot different areas to find items and materials that can be crafted into essential tools, weapons or upgrades to enhance your chances of escaping the storm, but you need to be able to deliver them back to your ship.                                                                                                   
• Space Battles: Space is not only dangerous for its change of “weather” and unpredictability —your ship can be attacked by pirates, scavengers, or hostile AI. You’ll have the option to engage in space battles, defend your ship, or even steal others. These encounters can range from intense firefights to tense strategic escapes.                                                                                                                   
• Ship Creation and Customization: Your ship is your lifeline. You can customize its design, purpose, and function, adjusting it to your needs. Whether you’re fortifying it for defense, altering its size for easier mobility, or upgrading its systems, the ship will be crucial to your survival. However, to keep your ship running, you’ll need to gather resources and constantly maintain it. The ship can become your safe space in the vast, hostile universe, but it requires effort to stay operational.

Why Crowdfunding?


We are not a professional game developers but we are a passionate game designers.  The game is still in development, our team is small and we need more professionals in codding, modeling and in level desing and there’s a lot that needs to be added—some difficult bugs to fix and several mechanics still in progress. Additionally, much of the game is built using purchased assets, though these will be heavily modified and integrated into the final project and some will stay as what they are as they fit to the game.
What we need now is a talented team to help bring this game to completion. With the right support, we are confident we can turn this vision into reality. For the project to continue a minimume bare should be 20000 usd.



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