The Funskin Project: Solo Developer Antoine Reshapes Horror Game After Ambitious First Attempt

The Funskin Project, developed solo by Antoine of Studio Richoux, has undergone significant redesign since its inception in late 2023. The game was originally conceived with a modern setting and broader structure spanning multiple environments. Antoine pitched a three-hour demo to publishers but received no positive responses, leading him to recognize the scope was too ambitious for his first game.

At the beginning of 2025, Antoine decided to redirect the project entirely. Rather than expand further, he focused on crafting one large, coherent environment. The redesign retained key systems from the original version, including save and inventory mechanics, certain enemies, puzzles, and underlying code. Most environments were rebuilt to align with the new direction and setting.

The game draws inspiration from classic survival horror and exploration titles. Resident Evil influenced the structure of gradual area unlocking as players progress. Ico shaped the level design approach and the feeling of moving through a unified space. Antoine also cited Signalis as proof that this type of game could be made with smaller production resources. Visually, the 1991 Dracula film and artists Hans Bellmer and Francis Bacon informed the atmosphere, alongside Silent Hill's influence on the horror elements.

Development has presented challenges outside Antoine's core programming expertise. Animation remains the most difficult aspect, though he has grown more comfortable with 3D environment creation. Game design and pacing have proven demanding, particularly in balancing puzzle difficulty and maintaining player progression across twelve hours of gameplay.

A turning point came when friends playtested the first two hours. Their positive feedback, especially on puzzle design, led Antoine to emphasize puzzles more heavily throughout the game. This milestone shifted his development priorities.

The Funskin Project features a day-night cycle that creates dynamic gameplay choices. During daytime, players need specific items to save progress, similar to Resident Evil's ink ribbons. Nightfall brings more dangerous enemies but allows free exploration. Players can choose to sleep, saving progress without items but triggering enemy respawns. Additional events occur during night hours, left for players to discover. This system gives players meaningful decisions about progression strategy.

Antoine emphasized his focus on puzzle variety and the exploration experience. When pitching the game to prospective players, he described it as a blend of old-school survival horror with adventure and exploration mechanics, designed to capture the progression and discovery feeling of classic games while developed independently.