ILL: A Living Horror World Inspired by Classics

ILL's "alive and dangerous" world draws inspiration from iconic horror games including Half-Life 2, Silent Hill, and the Resident Evil series. Discover the development team’s creative approach and learn a clue about the game’s mysterious title.

ILL Developer Interview: A Closer Look

Influenced by Half-Life 2, Silent Hill, and the Resident Evil Series

ILL is the debut title from Team Clout, with the creators citing several classic horror games as their inspiration. In a PlayStation.blog post on July 7, the team shared insights into their vision for ILL.

This new first-person survival horror title was first revealed during Summer Game Fest 2025 with an official trailer that quickly caught the attention of fans. Many noted similarities to major genre titles, particularly its intense combat, gruesome creatures, and unsettling settings.

Team Clout’s Game Director and Co-founder Maxim Verehin describes ILL as "a story-driven action-horror experience with visceral visuals, gruesome sequences, unique inspiration, exploration, and bold ideas — blending survival horror and first-person action."

He explained that the team strikes a balance between moments "where players are terrified out of their wits" and "where they’re shouting from the thrill of intense action, satisfying gunplay, and dynamic dismemberment."

Team Clout has prior experience in horror, having contributed to film and TV projects such as Longlegs, V/H/S/Beyond, and It: Welcome to Derry. Though ILL marks their first video game, the developers have focused on building a world that feels "alive and dangerous," inspired by beloved horror classics like Half-Life 2, Silent Hill, and the Resident Evil series.

Verehin elaborated, "We were particularly drawn to that feeling of being trapped in a real place, forced to react with limited resources. From the start, we aimed to create something believable yet deeply unsettling—an experience that doesn’t just scare you in the moment, but lingers long after you stop playing."

Mixing Hyperrealistic Body Horror with a Responsive, Tactile World

Beyond grotesque and terrifying imagery, Team Clout also aims to deliver a compelling protagonist-driven narrative—one that is dark, twisted, and emotionally resonant. Verehin noted, "Overall, the world conveys isolation and despair. We want players to truly feel the oppressive tone. I hope audiences will connect with the main character and understand his motives."

Moreover, the developers intend to evoke "a palpable, physical sense of unease" that goes beyond psychological tension or scripted scares. Verehin added, "What makes our game stand out is the fusion of hyperrealistic body horror with a responsive, tactile environment. Enemies don’t just fall—they suffer, adapt, mutate. Your actions have consequences, and the world reacts accordingly."

Nightmarish Creatures and Survival Gameplay

The game’s title also received careful attention—it's intentionally tied to the story and monsters within ILL. Verehin mentioned they wanted a short, impactful name with strong logo potential. He revealed, "The word suggests something horrible, sick, cursed. It also mirrors the nature of the monsters—I won’t spoil their origins, but there’s a clever link between the title and the game’s narrative."

For designing the creatures, Team Clout co-founder and Key Artist Oleg Vdovenko shared that they took cues from horror films of the 1970s to 1990s. He explained, "Back then, everything was built using practical effects and quality animatronics. Imperfections were masked with clever lighting and strong direction."

Verehin also emphasized that monster design had to align with gameplay, ensuring they are "enjoyable to confront." He also acknowledged the support from Mundfish—the studio behind Atomic Heart and its sequel—which helped Team Clout navigate the challenges of developing a horror game.

As for gameplay, ILL will incorporate survival elements like exploration, resource gathering, inventory management, and weapon and gear upgrades. Environmental puzzles and interactions will also shape the player's journey.

In terms of weapon variety, Verehin confirmed that standard options like shotguns, AK-47s, sniper rifles, and melee weapons will be available, along with "creative, craftable weapons."

Ultimately, Team Clout hopes players embrace their horror debut and share their experiences. "We’re designing our game to appeal to different types of players—not just horror enthusiasts, but also those who appreciate strong storytelling and exciting action," Verehin concluded.

ILL is currently in development for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC. For the latest updates, check out our article below!