Suggestion, non-paranormal events.

[cannonf0dder]

So this game feels as though it's really aiming for realism when you compare it to other ghost hunting games, and I love that, this game feels 100x more scary and atmospheric than other games out there.
So in the mind of realistic play why not add in a few non-ghost investigations. That way we can also be on the debunking side of the investigations.
Here's a quick example,
Start of the map, our investigator narrates, the family has heard growling coming from the basement, and noticed cold spots in certain areas, etc (a nice normal "ghost investigation" intro.
The player gets inside, heads to the basement, after hanging around a bit we get the growling, captured on EVP. We freak out and head back to main level to investigate those cold spots around the house. After a bit of fumbling around with the thermometer, we find a spot, then another later on elsewhere in the house.
Growls, cold spots, we think we're dealing with a demon here.
A bit more looking around and back in the basement, we hear more growling, this time we also pick up some EMF fluctuation, this is coming from near the furnace.
so, we have growling and EMF coming from near the furnace in the basement. Back on main floor we look around a bit more, seems our cold spots are coming from the floor vents.
Our investigator puts 2 + 2 together and comes to the conclusion the furnace is busted, the growling is the sound of busted mechanics inside the furnace, the electrical fault casing the malfunction is setting off the EMF and the cold spots are explained due to the heating breaking and pushing cold air up through the vents.
We leave in our van and put the family's mind at ease.

Just a thought, there could be a few variations of this type of investigation ( doesn't have to be many, maybe one or two sprinkled about the map to trick us/give some variation ), and it would certainly add to the realistic feel of this game, whilst the intro of the map explaining it as a ghost still keeps us on edge, as going in we still don't actually know it's not a ghost.

[Red]

I second this idea, maybe even make that kind of job one of the first a new player gets. It would make finding actual ghosts that much scarier.

[ibanez074]

That is a really good idea take note Devs!

[SRSBZNZ]

I like this idea!

I love the immersion of this game. Not being hunted and worried about dying expands the realism for me. I could even seen future investigations include finding out how the person died through additional clues and maybe even putting spirits to rest.

[Goodsoup]

Originally posted by SRSBZNZ:

I like this idea!

I love the immersion of this game. Not being hunted and worried about dying expands the realism for me. I could even seen future investigations include finding out how the person died through additional clues and maybe even putting spirits to rest.

Absolutely love this idea and would REALLY set it apart from the slew of samey kind of Ghost Hunting games coming out so fast now.

[Arvetis]

The most realistic possible game would be to have no ghosts and all events have rational explanations. Because ghosts aren't real.

[Unknown_Emrys]

I will also support this idea. Devs, this would make a great tutorial. Rather than finding a ghost, we get to debunk one, plus it means we get to work with these systems when we are actually investigating the ghosts as well.

[deal]

I definitely want this. There's a risk that it could make the game too frustrating, if not handled properly, though.

[cannonf0dder]

Originally posted by Unknown_Emrys:

I will also support this idea. Devs, this would make a great tutorial. Rather than finding a ghost, we get to debunk one, plus it means we get to work with these systems when we are actually investigating the ghosts as well.

I would hope for more than just a tutorial, though it would indeed be a good starter.

Originally posted by deal:

I definitely want this. There's a risk that it could make the game too frustrating, if not handled properly, though.

I think this game solves that problem itself, simply by having our investigator narrate. Also by having a clear outline of the cause/effect, as in my example.

[deal]

Yeah, I think your example is a perfect example of how it should be done.

Possible frustration could occur if investigations and evidence were simply inconclusive. The evidence needs to point TO something natural, as opposed to just failing to point to something supernatural. As long as cases were designed that way, then I think it would be great!

[cannonf0dder]

Oh 100% yes, no vague conclusions, we definitely need a source to attribute our findings to.

[ZDanimal]

I think that this is an outstanding idea. If the objective of the game is to investigate suspected paranormal activity and help alleviate the occupants fears, then debunking should be a possibility on any supposedly haunted location. As the developer has already taken the time to make EMF meters pick up electronic devices, thermometers pick up differences in temperature at vents when the HVAC system is running, etc., why not add some doors that blow open in the wind and creaking floors that could be noted as causation for what the folks living there take to be paranormal events. Then you would never really know if a location was truly haunted or not until you investigate and accumulate evidence, either supporting or debunking their fears and concerns. Then this would be a true investigation and not start with the forgone conclusion that SOMETHING is already there, you just need to determine what and where. Throw in the possibility that it is a poorly installed door or just an old house settling and it would be all the more intriguing.

[ZDanimal]

Since they've re-enabled the investigator comments, you could slowly determine through his reactions and notes that it was likely not in fact paranormal, and then you would know to find the cause(s) and present your evidence.

[ZDanimal]

Outstanding to see that the seeds of debunking have been sown into the game fabric as it were. This will only help add to the realism and character of the game. Excellent work and thank you!!