STILL WAKES THE DEEP

A critically acclaimed narrative horror adventure set on a remote oil rig in the North Sea. Winner of three BAFTA Games Awards and praised for its visual fidelity, environmental storytelling, and technical innovation.

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Overview

Sumo Digital partnered on co-development throughout all stages of production of Still Wakes the Deep, from early concept art and design through to full-scale development, optimisation, and preparing the game for release.

Project Details

Platforms: Xbox Series X|S | PlayStation 5 | PC

Genre: Narrative Horror Adventure

Partner: The Chinese Room

Our Involvement

Key contributions included:

  • World Building & Concept Art: Worked closely with the narrative design team from the earliest stages to help define the vision and visual tone of the project, shaping environments and atmosphere to support storytelling.
  • Graphics Optimisation: Leveraging the power of Unreal Engine 5, we ensured the game delivered stunning visuals and smooth performance across platforms.
  • Advanced Technology Integration: Pioneered water simulation systems and atmospheric lighting, utilising UE5 features such as Nanite for high-detail geometry and Lumen for dynamic global illumination.

Technical Excellence

  • Level Design & Creation: Crafted immersive environments that enhance narrative tension and player exploration, ensuring every space feels authentic and atmospheric.
  • First-Person Animation: Developed and refined first-person animation systems to deliver fluid, realistic movement and interactions, heightening player immersion in the horror experience.
  • Performance Tuning: Fine-tuned rendering pipelines to balance fidelity and frame rate, creating an immersive experience without compromise.

Results

The collaboration resulted in a critically acclaimed title that captivated players and critics alike.

  • Awards: Winner of three BAFTA Games Awards, cementing its place as one of the standout releases of the year.
  • Reception: Praised for its visual fidelity, environmental storytelling, and technical innovation, setting a new benchmark for narrative-driven horror experiences.
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