Spider-Man: Horror games dev

"Pfft."

I chuckled lightly, watching the streamer's reaction in the clip while playing our game with Harry.

"This video's already hit 107,000 views on YouTube. It's a lot, but it definitely won't go viral," Harry said to Peter while sitting on the bed.

"It's fine, Harry. The game might not blow up, but this is enough. I think I've got a way to make money off them already!"

Harry looked skeptical. "You've got a plan already?"

"Yeah… The game can be horror, but entertainment's gotta come first!"

[So you're saying you won't bring me fear and chaos anymore?]

Peter ignored the outer god and continued, "So, the first thing is to make a horror game that doesn't focus on jumpscares—maybe doesn't even need them!"

"…Don't tell me you're planning to make another game right now?"

"Yeah, definitely! Go To Bed is a short game anyway. Clearing its name from those rumors will let us use it as a foundation for our next game!"

"Hmm… You're right, but where do we publish the game? We need to make money from it to prove it's a success, right?"

"Yeah, you're right. Right now, I don't even know where to publish it…" Peter scratched his head, staring at the computer.

"Hmm…" Both of them fell into thought.

"For now, let's put that aside. What's the next game you're planning to make?" Harry stood up.

"No ideas yet, haha!"

…Really?

"No ideas? How are you supposed to make a game then? Don't tell me you're gonna pull a move like those Chinese MC who let a system churn out a game with no effort and call it their own?"

"Dude, chill, I'm not them."

[If you want, you could ask me. I could give it a try.]

"No thanks. That'd be like spitting on the effort of actual creators."

Peter spun his chair, still deep in thought. Honestly, he had no ideas, and even if he did, they felt too bland to captivate players.

Suddenly, Peter's phone rang.

"Oh, it's Uncle Ben."

He stepped out of Harry's room to answer the call.

"Hey, Uncle Ben, I'm at a friend's place."

"Peter! Feels good to have a new phone, huh? Have you thanked your friend yet?"

"I can't thank him enough! But why're you calling?"

"About your girlfriend, what else! You really grow up, hiding a girlfriend from me now."

"…Huh?"

"She just showed up at our house, knocking on the door. She's sitting on the couch waiting for you. Get back here soon!"

"But I—"

"But what? You planning to leave your girlfriend here with us?"

"…Hold on, I'll be right there."

"Alright then! She's good girl, always polite, just like Aunt May! Hahaha!"

Uncle Ben hung up, and I put my phone away with a serious expression.

[YOU BETRAYED ME!! WHEN DID YOU GET A GIRLFRIEND?!]

"I don't even know what's going on! Girlfriend? I'm not even thinking about dating!"

[LIES! I DON'T BELIEVE YOU! YOU'RE A JERK! A PLAYER!]

"You're not my girlfriend either."

"Peter! Who're you talking to out there?"

"My other personality!"

"…Wow, you can talk to your other personality?"

"Harry... That's the joke."

I opened the door back into the room and said to Harry, "Yeah, I'm heading out. Uncle Ben called."

"Something up?"

"…Apparently, someone's claiming to be my girlfriend."

"???" Harry looked confused for a moment before grinning.

He slung an arm around my shoulder, giving me a knowing look. "…You got a girlfriend and didn't tell me?"

"Are you even listening to me?"

"Yeah, yeah, I'm listening."

I raised an eyebrow, pretty sure he wasn't.

"Alright, I'm out."

"Invite me to the wedding!"

"YOU'RE THINKING WAY TOO FAR AHEAD! WORRY ABOUT YOURSELF FIRST!"

Slamming the door and leaving Harry's place, I walked into the dark alley where I'd met the outer god and looked around.

No one was there. I swapped my glasses for sunglasses, put on a mask, and pulled up my hoodie to cover my hair.

Shooting a web, I swung through the buildings with ease.

A few people noticed me, but I'd hidden all my distinctive features, so they had no clue who I was.

After a while, I got home.

As I approached, I could hear cheerful chatter coming from inside.

"..."

Lately, things have been getting weird, so I need to be cautious about this so-called "girlfriend" of mine.

If she has any ill intentions toward Aunt May or Uncle Ben, I'll kick her out without hesitation.

Their safety comes first, so I have to be careful.

I opened the door.

"I'm back."

"Ah! Peter! Come here quick!"

I looked up. Uncle Ben and Aunt May were happily sitting at the table with a girl.

The moment I saw her hair, I froze.

"Peter!"

She had long blonde hair, wearing something on her head—I forgot what it was—and an overcoat.

Her eyes were blue.

"…Gwen Stacy?"

She came closer, cheerfully grabbing my hand and pulling me to sit beside her.

I was beyond confused, staring at her.

"Peter, why are you staring at her like that?" Aunt May asked.

"Huh? Oh—"

"It's nothing, Aunt May! He's just surprised I'm being so nice. Usually, I'm always teasing him when we're alone!"

"Oh, what an adorable couple!" Uncle Ben laughed.

"…" I started sweating a little.

She's talking so naturally?? Like she's actually my girlfriend!

Calming myself down, I looked at Gwen.

"Why are you at my house?"

"Hm? I came to meet your family, of course! So I can help them out if anything happens in the future. Isn't that what you'd want?"

?!

I looked at her, and she gave me an innocent, questioning look.

"What I'd want? Why's she talking like that? Have we met before??"

"…I don't remember giving you my address."

"Peter."

She looked at me, resting her chin on her hand.

"I asked Harry. You're always so cautious, never telling anyone where you live unless you trust them completely."

"…"

Yup, this Gwen is definitely not the Gwen from memories.

I mean… this Gwen is completely different.

And the way she talks is so natural, like she knows me inside and out.

This doesn't feel right at all.

"Aunt May, Uncle Ben, I'm gonna step outside with Gwen for a bit."

"Sure thing!"

"Come with me." I grabbed Gwen's hand and led her outside, leaving Uncle Ben and Aunt May smiling.

"Young love is so wonderful, isn't it?"

"Makes me think of us when we were young~"

Once outside, I looked at Gwen, who was still acting innocent.

"…Who are you?"

"Hm?"

"I said, who are you!" Peter demanded, making Gwen step back.

"What do you mean? I'm Gwen!"

"I know that, but I don't remember ever meeting you."

"You're lying! We have met!"

"When did we meet?!" I stared at her.

"That… I can't say."

"Then you're lying. You and I have never met."

"No! You dummy! We have met! Why won't you believe me?! Dummy dummy dummy!!" Gwen angrily pointed at me.

"…?"

Why does her way of talking feel so familiar?

"Prove it, because I definitely don't remember."

"Ugh… You're such a good liar… I'm out of moves!"

Then she pointed at herself, striking a pose and looking at me.

"Hell's Warrior! Guardian of the gates of the underworld, protector of the earth, Ghost Spider!"

"…?"

Is this girl an idiot? She just revealed her hero identity like that?

I mean... She not wrong tho... But that's not what I mean!