After starting out in the industry as a service providers for studios such as Crytek and Digital Extremes, Vertpaint Games has announced their debut horror experience in the Lovecraftian folk horror game Ritual Tides. Set on a fictional island off the Southwest coast of Cornwall, Ritual Tides aims to take players on a story crafted with terror “truly at its core.”
Currently in development for PC, Ritual Tides sees players finding themselves washed up on a beach on the aforementioned island, with the only goal being to uncover the island’s horrific secrets. While details are currently under wraps with plans to reveal more in February 2025, the game will feature gruesomely designed enemies, danger around every corner, with players either having to hide or run to survive. Ritual Tides will have a “gun” available to players, but not in a typical fashion, which will set this title apart from other games within the genre.
According to the press release, Ritual Tides is being developed using what the team describes as a “two stream” approach. This translates into design and game mechanics being prioritised alongside art research and development. As avid gamers and horror fans, the team at Vertpaint is looking to craft something “genuinely memorable” for players. Enemy variation is central to the development ethos, and unlike other horror focused titles, Ritual Tides will provide a wealth of encounters.
“At Vertpaint, we’ve earned a reputation amongst developers as innovators,” explains James Macleod, CEO & Creative Director at Vertpaint Games. “With Ritual Tides, we cannot wait to show the world why as we take players on an escapade that combines the charm of true horror and original character designs, all brought to life through meticulous animation and artful conception.”
Ritual Tides is currently in development for a Q3 2025 launch, followed by releases on console. Those keen on following the game’s development can keep an eye on the official site.