Trailer - 

Forensic CleanUp

- Created by Tom Kitson, William Theobald, and Charmaine Martin

Designed for the 2026 24 Hour Digital Design Challenge. Responding to the prompt 'Against the Clock' , through a first-person forensic crime scene cleanup game that combines exploration, storytelling and escalating tension. The experience begins as a seemingly straightforward cleanup task, but gradually shifts into an unexpected and high-pressure escape sequence.

The concept originated from the sequential development of zones within an overarching narrative. The opening sequence introduces the player inside a car, then a mysterious voice, presented as their supposed employer, explains that they work in a completely legal line of business as a forensic crime scene cleaner. Upon entering the environment, the player explores from a first-person perspective and is tasked with cleaning a murder scene. Everything appears routine until the mystery voice becomes increasingly stressed and urges the player to finish faster.

This seemingly ordinary task builds toward the game’s central plot twist. As the final stage begins, the true meaning of the clean-up is revealed- the player is not simply an outside forensic cleaner, but is actually connected to the murder itself and is attempting to conceal the crime before the authorities arrive. The countdown begins, transforming the experience from methodical clean-up into an intense race to escape. 

In this way, FORENSIC CLEANUP responds to the prompt 'Against the Clock', not only through a literal timer, but through rising pressure, narrative revelation and the player’s changing understanding of their own role.

Development began with collaborative storyboarding and planning, focusing on what could realistically be achieved within 24 hours by a team from different disciplines. Tom Kitson, majoring in Digital Design/Games Design, led programming and scripting. William Theobald, also majoring in Digital Design/Games Design, developed the 3D environment and refined the final experience. Charmaine Martin, majoring in Architecture, focused on concept development, storytelling, visual communication and supporting asset creation. 

The project demonstrated the strengths of interdisciplinary collaboration, with the flare that is several students who all like to 'always add that little more', and we are extremely proud of the final outcome. We would love to continue developing the concept and explore how its atmosphere, narrative and gameplay could be expanded beyond the 24-hour challenge.