HostHarvest (Spooktober 8th Jam)
A downloadable game for Windows
Trigger Warning: This game contains disturbing imagery, suggestive horror themes, and realistic, unpleasant sound effects.
This game is created for the Spooktober 8th Annual Visual Novel Jam.
HostHarvest
A Halloween mystery visual novel with point-and-click gameplay and a VTT perspective.
In HostHarvest, you manage Trick or Treat at a small-town rectory, sorting and handing out candy to children. As the night progresses, you discover that some candies hide something far more sinister.
Uncover the Mystery
Explore the rectory, talk to its inhabitants, and uncover the strange secrets hidden behind this Halloween night.
But... Trick or Treat!
Keep the candy bowl full and watch what you put inside. Some treats are better left untouched. Give the wrong candy to the wrong person, and you could face serious consequences, or miss the dark secret hidden within the rectory.
Roles
Tremotino: Developer, Level Designer, Game Designer, Narrative Designer.
Stenobate: Background Artist, Character Designer and the stunning icons.
mari is sleeping: Character Designer and the beautiful candies to unwrap and smell.
Dadia Charìot: OSTs and SFXs
A special thanks to 2-Minute Tabletop for the VTT tokens.
Download
Click download now to get access to the following files:
Comments
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Hey, I really like what you guys are doing with HostHarvest. The whole idea of starting with something as simple as handing out Halloween candy and slowly realizing that some of the treats are hiding something much darker is a really nice hook.
I also like the visual novel + point-and-click/VTT approach. It gives the game a different feel from the usual Halloween horror games.
One thing I think could really help you right now is showing that hook through short, well-edited videos. Since the game just launched and Halloween is right around the corner, this is a good time to push the mystery and curiosity around it.
I’m a video editor and I’d focus on turning your gameplay into:
• Short horror/mystery clips for TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts and X
• A cinematic trailer that sells the mystery without giving too much away
• Character and story-focused teasers
• Short clips built around the “wrong candy” mechanic
• Halloween-themed promotional content that creates curiosity
• Different versions of the strongest moments so you can test what gets people clicking
The goal wouldn't just be to make the game look good. I'd make the first few seconds give players a reason to think “wait, what happens if I give them the wrong candy?”
If you're open to it, I'd be happy to suggest a few specific video concepts I'd make for HostHarvest.