Dive into the Shadows of "Annotate" (WIP)

Disclaimer:

This build was rushed to meet the jam deadline and represents only the earliest foundation of what Annotate is meant to become. Many planned features—voiceovers, tutorials, and core gameplay mechanics—are still missing, but this prototype serves as a first step toward realizing the full detective experience. 

How to Play

Basic Controls

• E – Interact with clues in the game world.
• TAB – Toggle the Journal, where logged clues are stored. (Automatically opens when a clue is collected.)
• I – Open the Investigation Board, a pinboard-style interface for organizing and linking clues.

Investigation Board Controls

• Left Click (Hold & Drag) – Move clues around the board.
• Shift + Left Click on a Clue – Start making a connection.
• Right Click on Another Clue – Attempt to connect them.
• Q – Cancel an active connection attempt.
• I – Toggle the board on/off.

Game Loop

1.  Explore the world to find clues.
2.  Read logged entries in the Journal.
3.  Deduce connections between clues.
4.  Connect clues using the Investigation Board.
5.  Unravel the full web of clues to solve the mystery.

Movement Controls

• WASD – Move
• Shift – Sprint
• Ctrl – Crouch
• Spacebar – Jump
• Mouse – Look around

Current Build Status

Right now, Annotate exists as a bare-bones prototype with a basic game world, two implemented clues, and a functioning Journal and Investigation Board UI—your essential tools for collecting and reviewing evidence.

The level is no longer just a floating platform; it now features a small, boundaried town with a handful of houses, including a larger mansion-like building. However, due to time constraints, there are no NPCs, voiceovers, or tutorials. A simple main menu and options panel are in place, but core features like a pause menu remain unimplemented.

Despite these limitations, the foundation of the game world is set, and the core investigation mechanics are beginning to take shape.

Planned Vision

In the atmospheric world of Annotate, every object tells a story, and every connection brings you closer to the truth. You will step into the shoes of a sharp-witted detective, exploring environments and piecing together a complex narrative hidden within the details.

The final game will be centered around an intricate web of clues, where your ability to connect seemingly unrelated pieces of information is key to solving the mystery.

A Tangled Web of Mystery (Coming Soon)

The full experience will feature:

• A Deeply Layered Mystery – A seemingly straightforward case will unravel into a labyrinth of hidden motives and connections, pushing your deduction skills to the limit.
• Non-Linear Investigation – Clues can be discovered in any order, allowing for an organic sense of discovery as you piece together the truth.
• A Living, Breathing World – Future versions will introduce NPCs, environmental storytelling, and fully interactable objects, making the detective work more immersive.

Key Planned Features

✅ Journal & Investigation Board UI – Already functional, serving as your tool for reviewing clues.
🟡 Expanded Clue System – Currently, only two clues exist; more will be added to form deeper connections.
🟡 Voiceover Narration – Planned to highlight the detective’s reasoning and discoveries.
🟡 Tutorial & Accessibility Features – Currently absent, but necessary for guiding new players.
🟡 Pause Menu & Additional UI Improvements – A basic menu exists, but no in-game pause menu is available yet.
🟡 Richer Environments & Interactable Objects – The town layout is set, but it remains visually and interactively limited.

Embark on Your Detective Journey

This is just the beginning. As Annotate evolves, it will grow into a fully-fledged narrative-driven detective game, where every detail matters, and every connection counts.

Thank you for exploring the early stages of Annotate! Your feedback is invaluable as we refine and expand the experience.