With the resounding success of our closed demo and ongoing development of both Harrowed World: Portents In Red, our modern gothic vampire RPG and the DLC stories for Harrowed World: Whats Past Is Portents, our gothic vampire visual novel, we wanted to pull back the curtain and share some of the inspirations that shape our world, one steeped in gothic horror, supernatural intrigue, and the eldritch unknown.
The Legacy of Bloodlines & Gothic RPGs There is perhaps no greater cult classic in vampire RPG history than Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines. A game that, despite its age, remains the quintessential experience of navigating the treacherous underworld of the undead. Bloodlines mastered atmospheric storytelling, weaving its narrative through unforgettable dialogue and a darkly immersive Los Angeles. Though time has worn its edges, its spirit still lingers in our hearts, and we seek to carry that torch forward. Vampyr, in contrast, is a modern (if historical in setting) gothic descent into blood and consequence. While flawed, its haunting atmosphere and gripping moral dilemmas elevate it as one of the finest contemporary vampiric gaming experiences. The tagline Cursed Be the Choice encapsulates its core theme, the burden of power and the weight of every decision. This philosophy is one we embrace fully, our game will not just present choices, but make players feel their gravity. Even The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim, though a high fantasy epic, serves as a beacon for RPG accessibility. While its portrayal of vampirism is a mere fraction of its grander world, its ability to draw players into a living, breathing setting is something we greatly admire. We aim to strike a balance, one that welcomes new players while offering the depth and complexity that dedicated RPG fans crave.
The Blood of Myth & the Whispers of the Unknown Beyond games, our setting is built upon the rich and twisted roots of folklore, mythology, and the eerie pages of classic literature. Bram Stokers Dracula is, of course, an undeniable influence, but the true depths of our world reach further, into the lost and forbidden. The apocryphal and the arcane, from biblical texts deemed too dangerous for approved scripture to the ghastly fables of monstrous fairies and legendary horrors lurking at the edges of creation. The touch of cosmic horror is never far from our world. The works of H.P. Lovecraft whisper from the abyss, reminding us that true horror is not just in the teeth of a predator, but in the unknowable vastness beyond mortal comprehension. The creeping dread of forces beyond human understanding, the insignificance of our place in the universe, and the ever-present lure of forbidden knowledge all weave their way into our storytelling.
Cinema, Television, & the Art of Reimagining Legends Film and television have also left their mark on our vision. 2004s Van Helsing reimagined Dracula as part of a grand gothic adventure, intertwining werewolves and a tragic, steampunk-infused Frankensteins Monster. Meanwhile, NBCs Grimm breathed new life into ancient folktales, showing how the past refuses to stay buried. These stories remind us that myths are never truly dead; they simply adapt.
The Vampiric Bloodlines of the UK At the heart of our RPG lies the blood itself, ancient, cursed, and woven through history. The Legacies, the vampiric bloodlines of our RPG, are deeply tied to the folklore and culture of the United Kingdom. From Englands aristocratic monstrosities to Scotlands cursed lullabies of the damned and Waless snarling horrors, our vampires are not merely creatures of the night but embodiments of their homelands most sinister legends. Other lands, too, hold their own secrets, their own rulers of the night. And in time, their stories will be told.
Stay in the Know Like what youre reading? This article was first shared with our newsletter subscribers. Subscribe for free to get exclusive early access to updates, exclusive sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes insights into development. You can wishlist 'Harrowed World: Portents In Red' here. Inspiration is the spark, but it is up to us to stoke the flames into an inferno that burns against the ever-encroaching dark. Until next time. Alex Burton Owner of Pennyvale Media. Creator of Harrowed World. Project Lead and Writer on Portents In Red.

The shadows stir, and with them, so does our vision. We recently released a closed demo for Harrowed World: Portents In Red, our modern gothic vampire RPG, to a select group of testers, and I wanted to take a moment to reflect, and share whats next. A Look at the Closed Demo Good news! The feedback from the closed demo has been overwhelmingly positive. Every participant left as excited, or more so, for the full game. Thats the kind of response that keeps the (definitely human) blood pumping in our veins, drives us forward, and reassures us that were on the right path. Throughout this article, youll find a few short clips from the demo, offering you a glimpse of whats to come. [previewyoutube=BkCuwh_Om-M;full][/previewyoutube] Whats Next? The road ahead is long, but the path is clear. While theres still work to be done, much is already in motion behind the scenes, were simply not ready to pull back the curtain just yet. That said, I want to share our current priorities and the steps were taking to bring Harrowed World to unlife. Key vampire NPCs are already being developed, waiting for their moment in the moonlight, alongside human pedestrians who will populate the streets. These figures will set the tone for the world, giving it the depth and presence it needs. At the same time, the dialogue system is being refined to ensure every interaction feels immersive and meaningful. The feeding system, the dark heart of any vampire experience, is also taking shape, weaving together mechanics that will make each hunt feel both exhilarating and consequential. The task system, our unique approach to whats traditionally called quests, is also in the works alongside the reputation and morality mechanics, ensuring that every action leaves a lasting mark on the world. Player models and character creation are also in progress, allowing for deep customisation of your vampires appearance and attire. Combat and vampiric abilities are evolving alongside this, sharpening the tools youll wield to survive and thrive in the shadows. The main storyline is mapped out, with only finer details left to refine. As development continues, plans will shift, and new ideas will undoubtedly emerge. But by keeping our focus sharp and breaking things into manageable steps, we are steadily shaping the game we envisioned. [previewyoutube=pxJFilnhDLU;full][/previewyoutube] How Many Developers Are There? Right now, the development team consists of myself and one other developer. This may expand in the future as the project grows. We also work closely with a composer, though they are not officially part of the core development team. Remember, this is an indie game, not a AAA production. Were a small team, but were dedicated to bringing this vision to life, but at some point, we intend to expand the development team to help carry the weight of this ambitious project. [previewyoutube=nN-v8hLa7_E;full][/previewyoutube] When Will Harrowed World: Portents In Red Release? We wont set a release date until we have a realistic idea of when the game will be complete. To do otherwise would be to write fate in blood, only to see it washed away, and that is not our way. We will be open and honest. If things take longer than expected, well tell you. If plans shift, well explain why. Transparency matters, and we wont make empty promises. [previewyoutube=8cuOH-P62LM;full][/previewyoutube] What About Kickstarter? A Kickstarter campaign has always been an option, but recent shifts may have made it more of a necessity than a possibility. We have no solid plans yet, but Im researching both successful and failed campaigns to ensure that, if we go down this route, we do it right. If we take this step, it will be with clear goals, a solid foundation, and a commitment to delivering. [previewyoutube=x3bxFxcxnvM;full][/previewyoutube] Stay in the Know Like what youre reading? This article was first shared with our newsletter subscribers. Subscribe for free to get exclusive early access to updates, exclusive sneak peeks, and behind-the-scenes insights into development. The shadows are deepening, and the pieces are falling into place. The night is still young, and theres much more to come. Alex Burton Owner of Pennyvale Media. Creator of Harrowed World. Project Lead and Writer on Portents In Red.

Harrowed World: Whats Past Is Portents has been updated to Patch 2.1! Fixes, additions and improvements: Resolved multiple critical bugs that previously disrupted gameplay. Implemented a new Click to Continue screen featuring important player warnings. Version number added to main menu. Notes: Thank you for reporting bugsyour feedback was invaluable in helping us improve this patch! We appreciate your feedback on the player warningsyour input helps us improve!

Harrowed World: Whats Past Is Portents enters version 2.0 with the Narrator Update. [previewyoutube=cje411RHx2k;full][/previewyoutube] Additions and improvements: New voice acting. All new epilogue. New internal achievements system. New lexicon system. New game over screens. Higher quality icon. New and improved story selection screen. Revamped main menu. New pause menu and revamped submenus. Added story name to save files (will be useful once future stories are added). Revamped credits. Added scene transitions. Various other fixes and additions. Notes: You may need to uninstall and reinstall to see the new icon. Internal achievements for Isaac's Story syncs with Steam at the start of a new playthrough. Lexicon system will require new playthrough(s) to unlock terminology. Story name will only appear on new saves. Lexicon was originally referred to as glossary during it's development. Options is now called Settings. History is now called Chronicle. Controls are now under Settings.

Harrowed World: Portents In Red is an action RPG, currently in development, with a focus on story and atmosphere that allows you to create and develop your own vampire, and discover the intricate web of power struggles and deadly rivalries that govern vampiric society. Today I am revealing two new screenshots of the pre-alpha new build of the project. Please note that the game is still in an early stage of the new build and nothing you see here is final. Newsletter subscribers got to see the screenshots early as part of last weeks scheduled email, but now it's your turn. Take a look at the new screenshots below:

As well as these new screenshots, I have taken the time to revamp the Steam page with revised imagery and descriptions to give you a better idea of what to expect from the game. We plan to release new screenshots in due course but in the meantime please enjoy the images revealed today. A release date for the game has not been decided yet, and work continues on the DLC for Harrowed World: Whats Past Is Portents, our vampire visual novel, that is designed to compliment the RPG by introducing players to important characters and factions. Embrace the darkness and revel in the power it brings. You can take a look at the revised Steam page here. Please wishlist if you haven't done already as this is a big help. Alex Burton Owner of Pennyvale Media. Creator of Harrowed World. Writer and Executive Producer of 'Harrowed World: Portents In Red' and 'Harrowed World: What's Past Is Portents'.

I want to share some insights into the intended experience of our game. Even though the game is short, our small team has poured countless hours into crafting this game, consisting of a thematic story, detailed lore, and a captivating atmosphere. This game is designed to be savoured at a reasonable pace, allowing you to fully absorb and appreciate every aspect of the experience we've created for you. Work has not finished on the game; we are currently working on the DLC stories as well bringing the game to new stores and platforms. We are also looking at the possibility of a narrator update. Furthermore, the Harrowed World setting itself was developed by me over more than a decade as a rich and immersive world filled with lots of intricate details. We understand that speed running is a popular way to play games, and we respect the dedication and skill it takes to complete games quickly. However, our game is not intended for speed running. Instead, it's meant to be a journey that unfolds gradually, rewarding players who take their time to explore, understand, and connect with the world we've built. With that in mind, we kindly ask that when leaving reviews, you focus on the story, lore, and atmosphere of the game. These are the core elements that define the experience we want to share with you. Reviews based on how quickly achievements can be completed don't capture the essence of what we aim to deliver and may not provide an accurate reflection of the games true value. Thank you for your understanding and support. Embrace the shadows and drink deeply from the blood of life. Alex Burton Owner of Pennyvale Media. Creator of Harrowed World. Writer, Programmer, and Executive Producer of 'Harrowed World: Whats Past Is Portents'.

Minor fixes and additions to the game before the 11th June launch. With thanks to the content creators on the Creator Program that brought these issues to my attention. Fixes:

• Fixes to minor mistakes in narration and character dialogue.
• Removed second mention of Isaacs parents not listening to him as it's redundant.
• Fixed overlapping character animation.

• Tips screen added at the start informing you about the achievements and the likelihood of you needing to play more than once to achieve them all, as well as informing you of the assistive self-voicing feature.
• Added a (surprisingly complex) back option to the game over screen.
• Added the option to play again after the credits with two jump back points.
• Got distracted making a whole new Story Selection menu because that's the kind of person I am.

• For those streaming the game, playing in full screen can cause the game to lag for viewers. The reason for this is unknown and until a fix can be found its advisable to play the game in windowed mode.