Sharks and Minnows

Sharks and Minnows is a survival horror game that reimagines a childhood game as a desperate fight against exhaustion and fear. Set in a derelict indoor swim center, the game tasks players with completing ten laps in a haunted pool while managing limited stamina and avoiding unseen threats. The water may be familiar, but the atmosphere is anything but. Dim lighting, unnatural echoes, and shifting architecture turn a routine swimming challenge into a psychological test of control and courage.

Movement, Timing, and Risk

Each lap drains stamina, and running out mid-swim means certain death. Players are forced to make choices between pushing forward or retreating to search for resources. The deeper the lap count, the more dangerous the environment becomes. Timing matters—diving in too soon can leave players without the energy to finish, while waiting too long may allow something else to draw closer. The tension builds steadily, as every action has consequences, and mistakes can’t always be undone.

The Facility as a Living Space

The swim center in Sharks and Minnows isn’t just a backdrop—it behaves like a character. Doors jam, pipes hiss, and old intercoms crackle with static and distorted messages. Hidden corridors open at random, revealing alternate routes or forgotten rooms. Some spaces hold energy boosts or equipment; others hold only silence and shadows. The layout subtly shifts over time, making familiar paths unreliable and reinforcing the sensation that the building itself is watching.

Progression Through Persistence

While the structure of ten laps remains constant, how players survive changes every time. Randomized item locations, evolving hazards, and a growing sense of unease challenge players to rethink strategies with each run. Some might choose to take short, frequent breaks to restock supplies, while others try to complete multiple laps without stopping. The game rewards those who pay attention to their surroundings and remain calm under pressure, rather than simply rushing to the end.

Core elements of Sharks and Minnows:

· A stamina-based lap system set in a haunted swimming facility
· Evolving environmental behavior that creates unpredictable scenarios
· Risk-reward mechanics tied to exploration and timing
· Non-linear routes and shifting room access
· Tension driven by subtle audio and visual changes over time

Sharks and Minnows strips survival horror down to motion, silence, and the fear of what you can’t see. Every splash echoes in the dark, and every lap brings you closer to escape—or to whatever waits at the bottom of the pool.