‘Dreadline Express’ Game Developer David Konecny Talks Stressful Player Choice & The Art Of Building A Psychological Horror
Czech developer David Konecny’s debut commercial game, *Dreadline Express*, places players on a train at the end of the world, where they uncover passengers’ stories through difficult choices. The project blends his interest in trains and psychological horror, asking players to trust their instincts and consider the consequences of their decisions.
Konecny describes the game as a solo project with colleagues helping on art and audio, while he leads the concepts and direction. He has made free games and joined game jams, but earlier projects remained unfinished; game development grew from childhood interests in technology and games, alongside a career in software development. His influences include *Duke Nukem 3D* and *SOMA*, as well as films by Ari Aster.
- David Konecny’s first commercial game is a psychological horror story aboard a doomed train.
- Players explore passenger stories through a card-based system and morally difficult choices.
- Konecny leads the solo project, with help on art and audio.
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Psychological horror uses uncertainty, fear and unsettling situations to build tension, often focusing on characters’ thoughts and choices as much as on frightening events. In games, players may shape the story through decisions, making them consider what they know and what might happen next.
David Konecny is a Czech game developer whose earlier work included free games and game jams, where developers make games in a limited time. Dreadline Express is his first commercial game; he leads its ideas and direction, with colleagues contributing art and audio.
The game combines a train setting with stories about its passengers and choices that can carry consequences. That approach puts player judgement at the centre of the experience, while drawing on influences from games such as SOMA and films by Ari Aster.