The latest articles on DEV Community by xiaoyumao (@xiaoyumao0621). https://dev.to/xiaoyumao0621 https://media2.dev.to/dynamic/image/width=90,height=90,fit=cover,gravity=auto,format=auto/https:%2F%2Fdev-to-uploads.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com%2Fuploads%2Fuser%2Fprofile_image%2F4087412%2Ffc8e7346-3eb0-49de-b92e-7eef828756b3.png https://dev.to/xiaoyumao0621 en xiaoyumao Fri, 21 Aug 2026 02:18:39 +0000 https://dev.to/xiaoyumao0621/documenting-a-narrative-horror-game-lessons-from-building-a-fan-wiki-2553 https://dev.to/xiaoyumao0621/documenting-a-narrative-horror-game-lessons-from-building-a-fan-wiki-2553 <p>I recently built a fan guide for The Skin Stapler, an indie <br> narrative horror game from Tainted Pact Games (creators of <br> Suffer the Night). It launched on Steam in August 2026. <br> Documenting a story-first horror game taught me a few things.</p> <h2> Story Games Need Different Documentation </h2> <p>The Skin Stapler isn't a mechanics-heavy game — it's a <br> one-sitting narrative experience about a detective hunting a <br> serial killer in a decaying 1980s city. The "guide" players <br> actually want isn't walkthroughs, it's context: character <br> backgrounds, timeline clarity, and thematic analysis.</p> <h2> What I Track </h2> <ul> <li>Character perspectives (you play multiple people, including the detective and civilians in their final moments)</li> <li>Audio tape content (the killer's distorted messages)</li> <li>Location details across Carrion City</li> <li>Thematic notes on the grindhouse/VHS influences</li> </ul> <h2> Tools I Used </h2> <p>Static site generator + markdown + JSON. No database, no <br> backend — pages load instantly, which matters when players <br> reference guides mid-game.</p> <blockquote> <p>Check it out: <a href="https://theskinstapler.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer">https://theskinstapler.com/</a></p> </blockquote> gaming horror indie webdev