Draft:Dark Deception

Dark Deception is a story-driven first-person horror game featuring maze-based levels and fast-paced arcade-style gameplay. Players assume the roles of either monsters or mortals and compete to collect soul shards hidden throughout the mazes.^[1]

The game centers on a protagonist trapped in a nightmarish maze populated by monsters, where survival depends on navigating hazards, avoiding enemies, and completing maze objectives. Throughout the mazes, players encounter a recurring female character whose mysterious presence is tied to the story, adding narrative depth alongside the arcade-style challenges.^[2]

The plot of Dark Deception follows Doug Houser, a man with a mysterious past who becomes trapped in a strange, otherworldly location. He is guided by a character named Bierce, who informs him that he must complete a series of deadly trials to return to the world of the living. These trials involve navigating labyrinthine mazes, collecting soul shards, and avoiding the horrifying entities that inhabit them.^[3]

Each chapter introduces new locations and enemies, gradually revealing more of Doug's backstory and escalating the stakes with larger threats, including the demon Lord Malak.^[3]

Dark Deception was initially funded through Kickstarter. The first campaign, seeking $50,000, was unsuccessful and cancelled. A second campaign with a lower goal of $15,000 was later launched,^[4] targeting multiple platforms including PlayStation 4, PC with Oculus Rift, and Wii U.^[5]

Dark Deception Chapter 4 released in September 2021. The final chapter Chapter 5: Fated Conclusion has no official release date.^[6] In a recent post on X, the official Dark Deception account noted that minor gameplay updates were being added in preparation for Chapter 5. The developers have also been updating and improving previous chapters to enhance the overall player experience.^[3][7] The series' previous chapters were released in 2018, 2019, and 2021, respectively. Chapter 5 is expected to continue the franchise's gameplay focus on navigating mazes while avoiding enemies.^[6] A free update that remakes the previous chapters has been in development alongside Chapter 5, to match the quality and scale of the latter.

In 2020, Glowstick Entertainment released the video game Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals. In 2023, the game became involved in a trademark dispute with Monster Energy concerning its title. Monster Energy, an energy drink brand owned by Coca-Cola, alleged that the use of the word "Monsters" and elements of the game's logo could cause consumer confusion with its trademark.^[8][9][10]

According to Glowstick Entertainment founder and CEO Vincent Livings, Monster Energy proposed a settlement that would allow the game to retain its title under certain conditions, including restrictions on the studio's future use of the word "monster" and specific color combinations in branding. Livings publicly criticized the claims and stated that Glowstick Entertainment intended to contest the matter rather than accept the proposed settlement. He also said he would release Monster Energy's legal communications publicly to inform other game developers about the dispute.^[8]

The game has sold over 6 million copies and has been played by 58 million players worldwide.^[11]

Dark Deception: Monsters & Mortals is a spin-off of Dark Deception, initially released on October 16, 2020, with a full release on November 2, 2020. The game was later released on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in April 2025. It is a multiplayer horror game in which players take on the roles of monsters or mortals. The title features crossover characters from other game universes, including Monstrum and Poppy Playtime,^[12] and also included downloadable content in collaboration with Silent Hill, announced in January 2021,^[13][14] and released on March 23, 2021.^[15][16] The three primary game modes are Maze Escape, Shard Mayhem, and Soul Collection.^[12]

Super Dark Deception is a spin-off of Dark Deception, developed and published by Glowstick Entertainment. Released as an action-adventure game with retro 2D pixel art reminiscent of 16-bit RPGs,^[17] the first chapter includes four levels, with subsequent chapters provided as downloadable content. Players navigate hazardous mazes filled with unique enemies and traps, earning experience points to unlock powers that help them survive longer in fast-paced arcade-style horror scenarios.^[18] The game released on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X and S, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and the Nintendo Switch on August 30, 2024.^[19]

In September 2025, it was announced that Dark Deception, the survival horror video game developed by Glowstick Entertainment, would be adapted into a feature film, after signing a deal.^[20] The adaptation is being written by Adrian Speckert and Cory Todd Hughes of So It Goes Entertainment. The film is intended to be a live-action adaptation that captures the game's horror elements and maze-based gameplay. No director, cast, or release date has been announced.^[11][21][22]

In a joint statement, Speckert and Hughes said their production company has a strong passion for the horror genre and has enjoyed the creative process behind Wolf Creek: Legacy. They expressed interest in bringing that same collaborative approach to Dark Deception, citing the game's expansive cast of characters and lore as a strong foundation for a faithful and entertaining horror adaptation.^[23]