Fish & Chip Shop Becomes Horror Game Setting

James Muirhead, drawing inspiration from his past work in a Scottish fish and chip shop, has created 'Grease Trap '99,' a novel horror video game. The game is set in a quintessential Scottish chippy, a culturally significant location for Muirhead, who previously worked in such an establishment after university.

The game uniquely features Gaelic dialogue. Players must manage customer orders while a Cthulhu-esque monster, described as octopussy and slimy, grows in the basement. The East Nuek of Fife's ambiance also contributes to the game's premise of a spooky mystery in a seaside town.

Inspired by early PlayStation graphics, the game's aesthetic aims for an uncanny, dreamlike feeling by contrasting a familiar, cozy environment with unsettling old-school visuals. Specific menu items like pizza crunch and scraps, reminiscent of Muirhead's former workplace, are incorporated.

Muirhead received £10,000 from Creative Scotland, a funding he describes as game-changing. This support allows him to work on the game full-time, reduce financial worries, and enroll in in-person Gaelic classes. The funding also facilitates collaboration with contractors and artists.

The game's development is progressing with a social media promotion and submission to games festivals. Muirhead hopes to have a playable version available by the summer, acknowledging the intense but passionate nature of game creation.