Solo-developed Backrooms Media is launching on Tuesday in Steam Early Access. Will this co-op horror game, based on a viral creepypasta, become Steam's next big hit?
With over 285,000 Steam wishlists and 500,000 demo players, Backrooms Media appears poised for success. But its creator, Hungarian student Patrik Nagy, is still processing the game's sudden rise: “I knew from my friends that my game looked good, but I never dreamed of this kind of interest. Honestly, I don’t know where it’s coming from, and I can’t predict if players will like it or even buy it.”
Watch the Backrooms Media Launch Trailer
Backrooms Media taps into the eerie world of the Backrooms—one of the biggest and most intriguing internet phenomena of the past five years. Interestingly, if you haven't explored certain niche corners of the modern internet, you might never have even heard of it. The Backrooms creepypasta originated from an anonymous post on 4chan on May 12, 2019. In a thread about "disquieting images," a user posted a photo of an empty, yellow, musty-looking room with fluorescent lighting. The image immediately evoked a feeling of unease and familiarity, as if it were a place from a half-remembered dream. This simple concept struck a chord with the online community, and soon, more users began expanding on the lore, turning the Backrooms into a widely recognized urban legend.
The Backrooms phenomenon has inspired many creators, from indie filmmakers to game developers, all captivated by its mix of dread and mystery. Patrik started this project as an experiment, a way to explore the creepy allure of the Backrooms. Now, he's watching in disbelief as the game garners global attention. "What began as a curious side project has turned into something much bigger. There were days I had 10 or 12 thousand players in the demo. Over one month - almost 200,000, and I still can't quite believe it". With those numbers, Backrooms Media has emerged as one of the most anticipated horror titles of this year, showing how much this once-niche idea has grown.
Despite initial uncertainty, Patrik organized extensive public tests, starting with a demo and later a beta version of the game. He used the feedback gathered during these tests to fine-tune the game, addressing player concerns and refining the experience. "Improving the game based on what players told me was definitely the right move," Patrik says. "But even now, I have no idea how the game will be received once it's fully out there. I know how tough players can be, especially when something doesn’t meet their expectations."
What is Backrooms Media?
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Both Singleplayer & Online Co-op Experience: Players can play alone or team up to explore diverse levels, escape monsters and solve puzzles.
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Proximity Voice Chat: Communication is key, with players needing to stay close to hear each other, adding to the tension.
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Level Creation Tools: An in-game editor allows players to create and share their own Backrooms levels, enhancing replayability.
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Hyper-Realistic Graphics: Visuals powered by Unreal Engine 5, deliver an immersive experience that brings the unsettling environments to life with stunning realism.
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Inspired by Creepypasta: The game is rooted in the Backrooms creepypasta, which portrays an unsettling, infinite space.
We're open to interviews and eager to share more about the creation of Backrooms Media. We can also provide access to players who have experienced the game, so journalists can gain firsthand insights into what makes this title resonate so strongly with its audience.
Links:
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Steam: https://store.steampowered.com/app/2714970/Backrooms_Media/
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Press Kit: bit.ly/BackroomsMediaPress
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Discord: https://discord.gg/W4HxsWxvyj
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X / Twitter: https://x.com/backrooms_media
For media inquiries, contact:
Alex Michalska, Project Manager
Pretty Soon
Email: alex.michalska@prettysoon.games
About the Developer:
Patrik Nagy is a 20-year-old student from Hungary, studying software development at university. Passionate about programming and game development, he began working on his first simple games at the age of 12. Backrooms Media is his most ambitious project to date.
https://patriknagy.hu/
About the Publisher:
Pretty Soon is an indie games publisher on a simple mission: to be the best choice for solo developers and small teams. Their released and upcoming titles include Backpack Hero, Havendock, Backrooms Media, Primal Planet, and Moon Watch!
https://www.prettysoon.games/