ABIDE Is an Extreme Stop-Motion Horror Game From the Devs of Judero and Mashina

Why It Matters

ABIDE pushes boundaries of mature horror gaming by combining artistic stop‑motion aesthetics with ethically vetted content, highlighting the role of community funding in preserving creative freedom amid increasing platform censorship.

Key Takeaways

• Stop‑motion horror game funded via Kickstarter.
• Day/night mechanics blend relationship building and terror.
• Clinical therapists consulted for sensitive content.
• Inspired by giallo, splatterpunk, East Asian horror.
• Funding target £25k, £15k raised.

Pulse Analysis

The resurgence of stop‑motion in video games reflects a broader appetite for tactile, handcrafted experiences that stand out in a market saturated with photorealistic graphics. ABIDE’s developers leverage this niche aesthetic, drawing inspiration from giallo cinema, splatterpunk literature, and East Asian horror to craft an uncanny visual language. By marrying analog doll work with modern rendering pipelines, the game positions itself as a boutique title that appeals to collectors and horror aficionados seeking fresh sensory thrills.

Beyond its visual identity, ABIDE introduces a dual‑phase gameplay structure that juxtaposes daytime relationship management with nocturnal survival. Players must earn the trust of a cast of criminals and lost souls, unlocking narrative threads that deepen the mystery of the retreat. The inclusion of clinical therapists during pre‑production underscores a growing industry awareness of mental‑health considerations, ensuring that depictions of trauma are handled with nuance rather than gratuitous shock value. This design philosophy may set a precedent for future titles tackling sensitive themes.

Funding the project through Kickstarter highlights the shifting economics of indie horror development, especially as major platforms tighten content policies. By securing community backing, ABIDE sidesteps potential censorship and retains creative control, a strategy increasingly vital for games that push mature boundaries. Successful financing could signal market demand for bold, artistically driven horror experiences, encouraging other studios to explore unconventional storytelling methods without compromising on vision.

ABIDE is an extreme stop-motion horror game from the devs of Judero and Mashina

By Liam Dawe · 16 Feb 2026 at 2:11 pm UTC

Set in a secluded community retreat that uses various therapeutic techniques to try and rehabilitate its residents, ABIDE certainly looks to be different.

At the core of ABIDE is an eccentric cast of criminals, creeps and lost souls all needing some sort of rehabilitation. During the game you choose who to spend time with to earn their trust to unlock various mysteries. Split between a day/night cycle of building relationships and doing tasks during the day, to full‑blown terror during the night as you venture into forbidden places full of real and imagined horrors.

The developers note that since it features “potentially triggering and sensitive subject matter” they’ve “consulted with clinical therapists throughout the pre‑production process to ensure the game gets things right”.

Check out the weird trailer below:

YouTube video (requires cookies to view)

Game Highlights

• A gory, mysterious and contemporary tale of terror inspired by giallo fiction, splatterpunk novels, Ken Currie paintings, East Asian and low‑fi horror cinema.

• Handcrafted, stop‑motion visuals lend a unique, uncanny and uncomfortable tone to St Boniface.

• Bespoke Day/Night Gameplay which sees players build relationships and investigate by day, then sneak, spy and survive the horrors of the night.

• A varied cast of criminals, creeps and lost souls lie at the heart of the game, each with their own secrets and dark, depraved mysteries to unearth.

• Original soundtrack featuring original compositions, analogue samples and talented vocalists complement diegetic sounds to ratchet up the tension.

From the press release

“We can't make this without your support. Horror seems to be under pressure from censorship, some subtle and some blatant. Sites are delisting mature rated games and recently a horror game was taken off some of the biggest marketplaces. Having a game like this funded by a community means that it can be made without compromise.” – Talha Kaya

“All the dolls are made. All the models are scanned in. The stories are written, the voice actors have been contacted and the first lines have even been recorded. We have a detailed and robust design document outlining the structure and its twists and turns. We need time to pull it all together and we need time to dream and explore and make the best possible game we can.” – Jack King‑Spooner

You can follow it and help fund it on Kickstarter. They need at least £25,000 by 28 Feb and currently have a little over £15,000 in funding, so a push is needed if their third game is to succeed.

Article taken from GamingOnLinux.com.