Stiff Neck (2026)

Game Information

About the Game

Stiff Neck is a short point-and-click mystery adventure created for BOOOM Game Jam 2026 under the theme "视界限 (Limits of Vision)". Inspired by the theme, the game restricts the protagonist’s field of view by giving them a painfully stiff neck. They can observe their surroundings, but cannot freely turn their head.

While making it through three matchmaking dates, players must examine each person’s clothing and belongings and pay close attention to their conversations to uncover who they really are. Investigating too much, however, raises their suspicion. The player’s deductions and choices ultimately lead to one of three possible endings.

My Role

I served as the game designer and project lead on a three-person team, working alongside a programmer and an artist.

My responsibilities included:

• Original concept and game design

• Scenario and dialogue writing

• Narrative structure and puzzle design

• Project scope and production coordination

• Japanese and English localization

• Release preparation

Game Jam & Recognition

Stiff Neck was developed by a three-person team in under three weeks for BOOOM Game Jam 2026. The game was later selected as one of the jam’s Community Spotlight Games.

Despite the short development period, the team delivered a complete game with three endings and support for English, Japanese, and Simplified Chinese.