Dead End Job
Release: 2019
Dead End Job merges the frantic, addictive, highly replayable gameplay of a procedurally generated twin-stick shooter with the iconic look of a 90s cartoon.
You take on the role of Hector Plasm, a worker at Ghoul-B-Gone – the #1 experts in paranormal pest control. Blast ghosts and then suck them up using your trusty vacuum pack, as every ghost you catch, citizen rescued, and job completed is added to the client’s bill.
Literally haunted by your former partner-cum-mentor who didn’t come back from a job one night, they’re training you up to save their soul before they're forced to spend eternity as a spook (voted “Least Preferred Fate” in Ghost Hunter Monthly).
Have you got what it takes to be the best at putting pests to rest?
History
Dead End Job began as the answer to a question: "What does a twin-stick shooter look like with no guns?". The initial idea of tidying messy hotel rooms with a vacuum cleaner was improved by adding ghosts (the team have since found that most things are improved by adding ghosts), and Dead End Job came to (un)life.
Approaching ghost hunting as if it were any other kind of pest control really appealed to Tony. Not making it gritty or realistic, but taking something fantastical and finding humour in the most mundane aspects, such as itemised client invoices that list every ghost caught, as well as how many biscuits were eaten. This led to the idea of being an employee - far from a hero ridding the city of spectres, just a regular Joe doing his unremarkable job - working day in day out charging clients and making money for "The Man".
Management offering (ultimately a bit meaningless) carrots such as gradually more overblown job titles and an "Employee of the Month" award all struck home and felt like great ways to ground the characters and make them relatable, as well as providing an easily understandable jumping off point for aspects such as leveling up and the meta-game.
The final element the team needed to nail was a visual style. They were keen to avoid pixel art, as so many action rogue-like shooters use this and it felt a little played out in the genre as a result. They wanted something bright, eye-catching and sharp, and inspirations from 90's cartoons were soon flowing thick & fast.
Features
Clean restaurants, offices and other buildings of ghosts using a plasma blaster, your trusty vacuum pack and a whole range of supernatural items.
Save your mentor's soul before the next full moon, or she'll spend eternity as a spook (voted “Least Preferred Fate” in Ghost Hunter Monthly).
Drop in/drop out couch co-op, as your mentor appears to lend a hand!
Stunning cartoon-quality high resolution artwork inspired by favourites like Ren & Stimpy.
Featuring original music by the award-winning Will Morton (Grand Theft Auto series).
Twitch and Mixer integration allows viewers to help or hinder the streamer by choosing their powerups.
You take on the role of Hector Plasm, a worker at Ghoul-B-Gone – the #1 experts in paranormal pest control. Blast ghosts and then suck them up using your trusty vacuum pack, as every ghost you catch, citizen rescued, and job completed is added to the client’s bill.
Literally haunted by your former partner-cum-mentor who didn’t come back from a job one night, they’re training you up to save their soul before they're forced to spend eternity as a spook (voted “Least Preferred Fate” in Ghost Hunter Monthly).
Have you got what it takes to be the best at putting pests to rest?
History
Dead End Job began as the answer to a question: "What does a twin-stick shooter look like with no guns?". The initial idea of tidying messy hotel rooms with a vacuum cleaner was improved by adding ghosts (the team have since found that most things are improved by adding ghosts), and Dead End Job came to (un)life.
Approaching ghost hunting as if it were any other kind of pest control really appealed to Tony. Not making it gritty or realistic, but taking something fantastical and finding humour in the most mundane aspects, such as itemised client invoices that list every ghost caught, as well as how many biscuits were eaten. This led to the idea of being an employee - far from a hero ridding the city of spectres, just a regular Joe doing his unremarkable job - working day in day out charging clients and making money for "The Man".
Management offering (ultimately a bit meaningless) carrots such as gradually more overblown job titles and an "Employee of the Month" award all struck home and felt like great ways to ground the characters and make them relatable, as well as providing an easily understandable jumping off point for aspects such as leveling up and the meta-game.
The final element the team needed to nail was a visual style. They were keen to avoid pixel art, as so many action rogue-like shooters use this and it felt a little played out in the genre as a result. They wanted something bright, eye-catching and sharp, and inspirations from 90's cartoons were soon flowing thick & fast.
Features
Clean restaurants, offices and other buildings of ghosts using a plasma blaster, your trusty vacuum pack and a whole range of supernatural items.
Save your mentor's soul before the next full moon, or she'll spend eternity as a spook (voted “Least Preferred Fate” in Ghost Hunter Monthly).
Drop in/drop out couch co-op, as your mentor appears to lend a hand!
Stunning cartoon-quality high resolution artwork inspired by favourites like Ren & Stimpy.
Featuring original music by the award-winning Will Morton (Grand Theft Auto series).
Twitch and Mixer integration allows viewers to help or hinder the streamer by choosing their powerups.
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