Pretrial is a first-person dark comedy horror game that blends the mundane monotony of office work with the absurdity of life inside a jail. Inspired by true experiences, the game thrusts players into the role of Tyler, a clerical worker navigating a bureaucratic hellscape where routine paperwork collides with bizarre, surreal events. It’s a game that breaks the mold of traditional horror by mixing psychological tension with the humor of shows like The Office.
In Pretrial, the horror doesn’t come from monsters or jump scares—it comes from the mundane, the unexplained, and the absurd. Players must complete their daily tasks while navigating an environment where every interaction could unravel into chaos. Guards, inmates, and co-workers are unpredictable, and every shift is a new challenge where "nothing makes sense" is the only constant.
This game is deeply personal. Tyler Pritchard, the creator, spent years working in jail intake—a place where the unpredictability of life was in stark contrast to the numbing routine of clerical work. Pretrial captures that experience in a way that’s both relatable and disturbing. It’s a game where the environment, much like the real world it reflects, is constantly in flux. One minute you’re stamping forms, the next you’re handling bizarre inmate interviews, and at all times, you're just trying to survive the job.
Pretrial stands out because it mixes:
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First-Person Horror: But not the kind you're used to. There are no scripted jump scares or grotesque creatures; instead, you face a psychological maze where the horror comes from within the seemingly normal.
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Dark Comedy: The game merges the dry, absurd humor of mundane office work with the grim reality of a jail setting. Imagine a jail-themed episode of The Office where the stakes are existential.
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True Story Immersion: Pretrial isn’t a work of fiction—it's based on real experiences. That authenticity adds a layer of immersion you won’t find in any other horror game.
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A Small, Intense Environment: The entire game is set in a few connected rooms—a cluttered office, a small interrogation room, a bathroom, and an open intake area. Each room becomes a character of its own, with new events unfolding every time you return.
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Unpredictable Characters: Every NPC—from guards to co-workers to inmates—behaves in ways that are unexpected, reflecting the often irrational reality of the jail system. No two interactions are the same.
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Procedural Surrealism: Events escalate in absurdity, but unpredictably. Some days it’s a normal shift, and on others, things go completely off the rails. This randomness mirrors real-life unpredictability, keeping players on edge.
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Office Work Under Pressure: Complete mundane tasks under strange and often stressful conditions. From pushing papers to conducting bizarre inmate interviews, it's all about staying sane while the world falls apart.
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Dark Comedy Fans: If you're a fan of The Office, Parks and Recreation, or It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, you’ll find yourself right at home with Pretrial’s offbeat humor.
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Horror Fans: Horror gamers are always on the lookout for something different. Pretrial delivers a fresh take on the genre, breaking away from traditional horror tropes to create something both unique and immersive.
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Indie Game Enthusiasts: In a market saturated with polished but formulaic AAA horror games, Pretrial brings a raw, authentic, and deeply personal experience to players who crave innovation in the indie space.
The indie horror genre has seen explosive growth over the past few years. Small, unique games that deviate from the norm are thriving in today's gaming landscape, with titles like Phasmophobia, The Stanley Parable, and Among Us proving that fresh ideas can capture the imagination of millions. Pretrial taps into that same vein of originality while offering something new—dark humor rooted in real experiences.
Pretrial is in its early development phase. The level design is taking shape, the core mechanics are being built, and characters are being fleshed out. With your support, we aim to bring this personal story to life, capturing the chaos, absurdity, and dark humor of life behind the desk in a way no game has before.
Tyler Pritchard: Solo developer with years of experience in full-stack software engineering and a passion for creating unique game experiences. Tyler is a former jail intake worker, and this game is a reflection of his real-life experiences turned into dark comedy horror.
We're seeking investment and support to accelerate the development of Pretrial. With additional resources, we can expand the scope, fine-tune the mechanics, and ensure this game reaches a wide audience. We’re confident that Pretrial can be the next indie horror success story—one that pushes boundaries and brings something fresh to the genre.
For more information, reach out to Tyler on LinkedIn.
Pretrial offers a fresh, satirical twist on horror that’s deeply rooted in real-life experiences. If you’re looking for a game that breaks the mold, delivers unpredictable and unforgettable moments, and offers a slice of life you’ve never seen before, Pretrial is the game to back.