In DEADCAM you experience a series of short horror tales presented as found footage recordings. Each “recording” places you in a different location haunted by mysterious entities and supernatural phenomena. The camera you use is your only connection to the truth, and what you film may decide whether you live or become part of the horror itself.
DEADCAM is an analog survival horror game developed and published by Joure Visser. The game was released in early access on July 10, 2025. It draws heavily on the aesthetics and tone of horror from the 1980s and 1990s, using VHS style visuals and a found footage structure. Each recording is a self contained episode with its own setting, characters, and supernatural threat, all tied together by the idea of documenting horror through the lens of a camera.
Gameplay
In each recording you navigate environments holding your camera, exploring rooms, hallways, and abandoned sites. The camera is not just for visuals it reacts to presence, distortion, and paranormal events. You must decide when to use it or stay hidden, since shining too much light or being too obvious may attract the entity. Items such as keys, clues, notes, or tools are scattered in each level. Some recordings lean more toward stealth and dread, others toward combat or confrontation. Progress is driven by uncovering the story behind each recording and surviving until the final cut. Because this is early access only part of what is planned is live more recordings, entities, and dynamics will be added over time.
Visuals and Style
The presentation is heavily evocative of analog horror: grainy textures, scanline effects, VHS tape artifacts, and muted color palettes evoke a past era of recorded media. Lighting is dim and moody, with flickers, shadows, and moments of visual noise that obscure details. Distortions, glitches, and camera malfunctions are part of the aesthetic, making the camera itself a tool and a barrier. Sound design uses static, distant whispers, mechanical hums, and abrupt audio anomalies to unsettle the player. The mix of low fidelity with sudden clarity heightens tension and uncertainty.
Importance in Survival Horror History
DEADCAM stands as a modern homage to analog horror and found footage horror traditions within the survival horror genre. It shows how the camera can become more than a viewfinder it becomes a character, a filter for dread, and a tool of detection. By structuring the game as discrete recordings, it allows flexibility and variety in horror themes, environments, and enemies. This episodic found footage approach may influence future horror titles seeking modular scare design grounded in atmosphere and storytelling over constant action.
Reception and Historical Value
Since its early access release, DEADCAM has received mostly positive reception from players drawn to its aesthetic, tension, and tagline of horror through the lens. Many praise how well the analog style and found footage conceit work to heighten fear and mystery. Critiques often note that the early build is limited, with some recordings feeling short or underdeveloped. But fans see strong potential in what has been created so far, and many are watching its evolution with interest. In retrospect DEADCAM may be remembered as a compelling experiment in thematic horror built around the act of recording fear.
Availability and Collectibility
DEADCAM is available in early access on PC. As content is expanded, new recordings and features are expected. At present there is no confirmed physical edition.
Get it on:
Steam: DEADCAM | ANALOG • SURVIVAL • HORROR on Steam
Trailer: