<p>Former AAA developer Ryan R. Burns has announced his first independent project, <strong>The Oily Depths</strong>, a claustrophobic horror game that puts players in control of a deep-sea submarine.</p>

<div class="video-responsive">
	<iframe width="1291" height="735" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gjT-E4Xb2yc" title="The Oily Depths - Announcement Trailer" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
</div>

<p>Burns, whose previous work includes contributions to major titles like <a href="https://whatoplay.com/games/world-of-warcraft-legion/">World of Warcraft: Legion</a> and <a href="https://whatoplay.com/games/assassins-creed-mirage/">Assassin's Creed Mirage</a> at Blizzard and Ubisoft, is now crafting a more intimate and terrifying experience.</p>

<p>"The Oily Depths" draws inspiration from atmospheric <a href="https://whatoplay.com/pc/best/horror/">horror</a> games like <a href="https://whatoplay.com/games/iron-lung/">Iron Lung</a> and <a href="https://whatoplay.com/games/lethal-company/">Lethal Company</a>. The game places players in a tense underwater environment where survival depends on their ability to extract oil for mysterious corporate overlords who control their oxygen supply.</p>

<blockquote>
Not our problem. If you don't meet quota... We cut your oxygen.<br>
- Corporate
</blockquote>

<p>The Oily Depths's gameplay mechanics makes for a terrifyingly immersive dive into the abyss. It requires players to master various submarine controls, including gauges, meters, and monitors, all while dealing with limited visibility beneath the waves.</p> 

<p>Players must carefully navigate the seafloor to locate oil extraction targets and operate complex drilling machinery through a series of detailed interactions.</p>

<img src="https://cdn2.whatoplay.com/news/oilydepthsscreenshot.jpg" alt="The Oily Depths screenshot">

<p>Burns has created a hostile underwater environment where multiple threats await each player. These include drowning, burning alive, or becoming prey to unknown creatures lurking in the darkness. The game's emphasis on equipment mastery suggests a learning curve that adds to the tension, as players must become one with their submarine to survive.</p>

<p>This short-form horror experience marks Burns' transition from large-scale AAA development to more focused, personal game creation, promising an intense and atmospheric adventure in the depths of the ocean.</p>

<p>The Oily Depths is available to wishlist on <a href="https://store.steampowered.com/app/3113030/The_Oily_Depths/">Steam</a>.</p>

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Former AAA developer Ryan R. Burns has announced his first independent project, "The Oily Depths," a claustrophobic horror game that puts players in control of a deep-sea submarine. 

The Oily Depths: Former Blizzard Developer Dives Into Horror

Former AAA developer Ryan R. Burns has announced his first independent project, "The Oily Depths," a claustrophobic horror game that puts players in control of a deep-sea submarine.