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"Happy Lane"



Project Statement



“Happy Lane” is a psychological horror game that takes place in China. The game is a semester-long collaborative project by Art&Tech BFA student William Yuan and Design MFA student Jiaxing Gao. The game strives to capture the experience of a domestic abuse victim, named Ningchuan, in a 1st-person perspective. As Ningchuan, the player navigates a ghostly childhood home and a mysterious mental hospital. Ningchuan must investigate by finding artifacts and solving numerous puzzles in the environment in order to move on. Also hunted by a supernatural threat, Ningchuan’s only hope of escape lies in discovering the terrible truth that has been long hidden from him.



Level Design



Background Story



The game takes place in China in the 1980s. The main character of the game, Ningchuan, 13, is the victim of his dad's domestic abuse which has lasted for many years. His dad became very ill-tempered due to increased stress from work and is an alcoholic. Whenever his temper or the alcohol kicks in, he would curse and physically hit, sometimes with objects such as a wooden stick, Ningchuan. Ningchuan’s mother is different from his dad and tries to protect Ningchuan. However, she often finds herself helpless and falls victim to her husband’s violence. One day, upon a heated argument between Ningchuan’s dad and mum, Ningchuan’s dad loses the last string of control and kills his wife. He fled the scene, leaving Ningchuan to only discover his mother’s cold body in the blood. Losing his last line of moral support, Ningchuan completely breaks down and becomes mentally unstable and soon gets sent to a mental hospital.



gameplay footages



Level 1


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Level 2


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Breakdown of the Game


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Gameplay screenshots



gameplay screenshots





614-965-7110 | THE OHIO StATE UNIVERSITY, COLUMBUS, oh, 43210

Email: will1091yuan@gmail.com



William Yuan