NIGHTMARE OPERATOR Developer Nolan Joseph on the Clutch System and Low-Poly Horror
At BitSummit PUNCH, held May 22-24 at Kyoto's Miyako Messe, developer Nolan Joseph of DDDistortion discussed his TPS action horror game NIGHTMARE OPERATOR. The game features a system called Clutch, which lets players switch weapon modules by inputting fighting game command sequences. Joseph said he created the system to introduce more people to the appeal of fighting game command inputs. The Clutch also functions as a reload action, inspired by manual transmission driving. The game uses low-polygon graphics to reduce on-screen information and guide players naturally, a style Joseph said is influenced by early PlayStation-era horror titles like Silent Hill and Resident Evil. The setting is a devastated Tokyo overrun by yokai and ghosts, which Joseph chose because he has only lived and worked in Japan since 2018. The demo stage is set in Nakano Broadway. NIGHTMARE OPERATOR won the Best Game Design award at BitSummit PUNCH. Joseph said he wants players who enjoy the game to try fighting games like Guilty Gear -Strive-.