Manual Samuel

2016 © Perfectly Paranormal and Curve Digital
Microsoft Windows, Steam, Xbox One, PlayStation 4

Manual Samuel is an adventure game in which the player must manuall control every element of the character. Curve Digital partially developed the game alongside the indie developers, Perfectly Paranormal for console platform ports, creation of UI and publishing on all platforms. At the point that Curve signed Manual Samuel, the game did have some HUD elements but did not yet have any front end UI designed so I created this alongside any specific requirements needed for the console ports.

The game primarily followed a linear narrative with consistent gameplay so mainly needed support for core game loop requirements in the front end and some bespoke feature UI support. The game already had a visually distinct art style so I concepted a variety of options that felt like they would mesh well with the googie-esque art style already in the game and existing HUD elements, working with the developer to align on the chosen direction and tied in other visual theming elements such as graffiti that was inkeeping with the punk rocker characterisations of Death and Satan..

Main Menu

I created simple menu layouts that leaned into the art style to feel more integrated into the world than just floating text and boxy buttons, ultimately landing on the theming of art gallery walls that fit the narrative and environent details of Samuel's luxurious house which already had some suggestions of framed art on the walls.

Game Controls

The player is required to control every function and movement of the character, in co op mode these functions were split between both players which were demarcated with red and blue for player 1 and player 2 with some level of customisation to delegate actions.