Software:Dead Static Drive
| Dead Static Drive | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Reuben Games |
| Publisher(s) | Reuben Games |
| Engine | Unreal Engine 4 |
| Platform(s) | |
| Release | 5 November 2025 |
| Genre(s) | Action-adventure, survival horror |
| Mode(s) | Single-player |
Dead Static Drive is a top-down driving meets survival horror video game developed and published by Reuben Games. It is planned to be released on Windows and Xbox One.[1] The game has a "retro Americana" graphical style, and involves a road trip that takes a turn into Lovecraftian horror.[2]
Plot
The main character of the game goes on a road trip to reconnect with their estranged family members, traveling between towns and doing quests in each town where they can freely walk around outside their car.[2] The player realizes that the apocalypse is happening and must fight Lovecraftian monsters and potentially stop the end of the world.[3]
Development
The game's creator, Mike Blackney, started development in 2014, and 6 months later, in 2015, received a $15,000 Unreal Dev Grant for the game's development.[3][4] Later, he also received funding from the Australian government that enabled him to quit his job as a teacher and continue developing the game, as well as hire an artist and musician.[3] He noted inspiration for the game from the 1981 film The Evil Dead, and horror set in the suburbs and mundane settings, and has described the game as "Grand Theft Cthulhu".[2] Leena van Deventer came onto the project in 2019, as Creative Producer and Writer.
On 27 October 2025, Reuben Games announced via a press release that the game would launch on 5 November 2025.[5]
Reception
Stephanie Chan of VentureBeat called the game "stylish but also evocative".[3] Adam Smith of Rock, Paper, Shotgun called the graphics "lovely" and the monsters "refreshingly untentacled", commenting that the game could use some folklore that is not just Lovecraft.[6]
References
- ↑ Nunneley-Jackson, Stephany (2019-03-12). "Dead Static Drive, Afterparty and other indies coming to Xbox One". https://www.vg247.com/2019/03/12/xbox-one-indie-games-afterparty-dead-static-drive/.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 Priestman, Chris (2016-11-23). "Dead Static Drive to be a road-trip horror in vintage Americana style" (in en-US). https://killscreen.com/previously/articles/dead-static-drive-road-trip-horror-vintage-americana-style/.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Chan, Stephanie (2018-03-22). "The IndieBeat: Dead Static Drive is 'Grand Theft Cthulhu' on Route 66" (in en-US). https://venturebeat.com/2018/03/22/the-indiebeat-dead-static-drive-is-grand-theft-cthulhu-on-route-66/.
- ↑ Minotti, Mike (2015-03-05). "First recipients of Epic's Unreal Dev Grants deserve every penny" (in en-US). https://venturebeat.com/2015/03/05/first-recipients-of-epics-unreal-dev-grants-deserve-every-penny/.
- ↑ Wilson, Mike (28 October 2025). "Lovecraftian ‘Grand Theft Auto’ Title ‘Dead Static Drive’ Rolls Up to November 5 Release". https://bloody-disgusting.com/video-games/3911426/lovecraftian-grand-theft-auto-title-dead-static-drive-rolls-up-to-november-5-release/. Retrieved 28 October 2025.
- ↑ Smith, Adam (2016-11-17). "Dead Static Drive takes you on a cosmic horror roadtrip" (in en-US). https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2016/11/17/dead-static-drive-game-horror/.
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