Slender: The Arrival Dev Discusses Reviving Slender Man for 10-Year Anniversary

Over a decade has passed since the release of Slender: The Arrival in 2013, which terrified horror fans and was an expansion of the 2012 game Slender: The Eight Pages. Fans will surely remember the chilling and psychologically terrifying moments provided by Slender Man, which created a unique horror experience and developed a dedicated fan base. Now, in 2023, Slender Man makes a comeback in Blue Isle Studio's 10th Anniversary update to Slender: The Arrival.

Prior to the recent update, we had the opportunity to interview Brenden Frank, the Co-Founder and Technical Director at Blue Isle Studios, regarding the reemergence of the iconic Slender Man in celebration of Slender: The Arrival's 10th Anniversary. Slender Man is renowned as one of the most terrifying video game characters of all time. Frank also discussed the game's updated visuals, the introduction of a new story called S: The Lost Chapters, and more. The following transcript has been edited for clarity and conciseness.

It's been incredible bringing Slender: The Arrival back for the anniversary update after 10 years. The response from fans has been amazing, and as developers, we are thrilled to utilize the knowledge and experience we gained from developing various types of games to create new content for the game.

Q: S: The Lost Chapters is characterized on the Slender: The Arrival website as an 'innovative form of horror.' Could you elaborate on this distinction when compared to the 2013 game, and highlight the enhancements it brings to the horror gaming genre as a whole?

A: Regrettably, we are unable to provide intricate details about S: The Lost Chapters currently. As the game is being tightly guarded, our intention is to maintain this secrecy until we are prepared to make more significant revelations.

Q: The latest update is characterized as a revamp of the 2013 game in terms of visuals, while also featuring additional content in the form of a new chapter. What motivated your choice to extend the narrative of Slender Man through S: The Lost Chapters, and could you briefly share some insights into its storyline and characters?

A: We decided to introduce a cooperative multiplayer mode in the update as one of the major changes. Can you explain why?

A: Slender The Arrival has cultivated a dedicated fanbase for the past decade. We strongly believe that this fanbase would greatly appreciate a custom sandbox to express their creativity within the officially recognized Slender Man mythos. Presently, the game solely offers a single-player experience, but we wanted to ensure that the creation sandbox also accommodates multiplayer engagements. To achieve this, it was vital for us to pioneer our very own multiplayer mode.

Q: Can you provide further details on the co-op functionality, including whether it supports cross-play and the maximum number of players allowed to participate?

A: In terms of co-op gameplay, it will accommodate two to four players. Regrettably, we are unable to reveal the specific details of our co-op gameplay at this time. However, we assure you that it is our intention to ensure cross-play functionality.

How does cooperative gameplay impact the development of tension and psychological horror, as well as the jump-scare elements that Slender Man is renowned for?

We believe that players feel a sense of security when playing with their friends, and that the potential for horror stems from gameplay features that separate players and compel them to be alone, if only for brief intervals.

We believe that there is great potential for the single-player AI to adapt to a multiplayer setting. However, there are a few factors to consider. Firstly, we would like all players who encounter Slender Man to have the experience of him directly staring at them, rather than just the player he is actively pursuing. That being said, we must acknowledge that gameplay is still in its early stages, and it is possible that our initial multiplayer mode may not heavily rely on Slender Man's AI.

Q: How can players try to combat the Slender Man in the new update, considering that previously they would often have to resort to running or hiding?

A: Regrettably, we cannot reveal specific information regarding that aspect. Nevertheless, it is important to note that defeating Slender Man is not truly possible; the most players can do is temporarily ward off the inevitable.

Unreal Engine 5.2 has greatly enhanced the game's visuals and overall player experience. For more detailed information, you can watch our presentation at Unreal Fest, where we delve into the specifics.

Q: Could you talk a bit more about the update's level design and what kinds of new regions players might explore?

We made a diligent effort to preserve the core essence of the original title by opting to "enhance" rather than "reinvent". In line with this approach, we have introduced a new chapter and will be unveiling a 3 chapter DLC slated for release in 2024.

We have created a cross-platform mod kit for our game, Leap. With this mod kit, modders can download our editor from the Epic game store to create their own maps, modes, skins, or other modifications. Once they have finished creating their mod, they can use our convenient upload tool to submit it to Curseforge. Our cloud cooker then prepares packages that are compatible with all platforms. Players can sync their published mods with the game's mod editor and enjoy playing them.

A: The new update for Slender: The Arrival will be available on October 18th for PS5, Xbox Series X, and Epic Game Store, priced at $19.99. The Steam version will also be updated on the same date, while the 2013 version will be moved to a legacy branch.

Q: There are more Slender Man stories to tell through the upcoming DLC expansion, which will include three additional chapters. What was the reasoning behind continuing the story and can you provide any details about what players can anticipate in these future updates?

A: We are unable to disclose specific information at this time, but we strongly believe that the story is never truly complete. As fans of Slender: The Arrival may already know, the influence of Slender Man expands significantly as you progress through the game, uncovering new characters who are all interconnected through their experiences and fates.

Q: Is there anything else you'd like to share?

A: We are thrilled to return to Slender: The Arrival and have ambitious plans to incorporate all the features that players have been requesting to enhance this title's experience.

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Slender: The Arrival is now available on Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PS3, PS4, Xbox 360, and Xbox One. The 10th Anniversary update for Slender: The Arrival is now also accessible on PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X/S.