Don't Tell Mom
Don’t Tell Mom is a fast-paced, chaotic retro FPS where the player is thrown into an unpredictable environment full of constant action and pressure.
The gameplay focuses on high-intensity combat and quick decisions, where rules feel loose and the player is not meant to be in control for long. With bullets flying and systems pushing toward chaos, the experience is about speed, disorder, and raw energy over structured progression.
My roles
Responsibilities
- Improved level and gameplay balancing, refining pacing and player experience based on existing mechanics
- Redesigned UI/UX to improve clarity, navigation, and overall usability
- Applied lighting and post-processing changes to improve visual quality and atmosphere
- Contributed to narrative framing, including naming the game and shaping its theme
- Developed the game’s branding, including logo and visual identity
- Created the official trailer and contributed original soundtracks
- Supported overall quality polish across gameplay, visuals, and presentation
Screenshots
My design breakdown
Experience Improvement & Polish
01
Problems I Found
When I joined, the game had a strong core idea but lacked clarity and balance. The UI had no clear structure, so navigation and feedback were confusing. Enemy difficulty had sudden spikes, and with no tutorial, new players struggled to get started.
02
What I Changed
I started by redesigning the UI with one visual style and a more consistent layout. I worked on gameplay balancing, tuning enemy behavior for a smoother difficulty curve.
To help new players, I designed and built a tutorial that introduces core mechanics step by step. I also reworked the HUD to give clear, minimal, useful feedback.
03
Outcome
The game became easier to read, more accessible, and better balanced, with clearer progression and a more unified feel across UI, gameplay, and presentation. It moved from a raw prototype to a polished, player-friendly build.
04
Audio & Presentation
I made a complete original soundtrack (OST EP) for the game, with tracks for the main menu, levels, and the trailer. I also added key sounds like gunshots, abilities, and kill feedback to make moment-to-moment play feel better.
I created the official trailer from recorded gameplay, edited in Premiere Pro, with a custom track made in FL Studio.
05
Narrative & Identity
The game first had no name or identity. Based on the mood of the main menu cinematic, I came up with the story of a boy secretly playing games at night while trying not to wake his mother. That led to the title “Don’t Tell Mom”.
I also made the branding and logo, inspired by Y2K and early-2000s VHS style. The graffiti-style logo reflects that era and gives the game its own look.
Music I made for Don't Tell Mom