The Picture in The House
Released Dec 2020
A journey through ancient mysteries and forces described by the original short story "The Picture in the House" written by H.P Lovecraft.
51% positive · 137 reviews
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Done
All announced content has been released
High confidence
Where to get it
Free on Steam
Evaluation
The Picture in the House is a free-to-play adventure game released on December 30, 2020, based on H.P. Lovecraft's 1920 short story of the same name. The store description frames this as a personal, passion-driven adaptation of a single short story — the developer explicitly notes it was "this project" that started their journey into game development, strongly implying it was a self-contained creative endeavor. There is no mention of expansions, sequels, DLC, or additional content. The game has no DLC listings, no roadmap, no seasonal content, and no post-launch news posts on record. It launched as a finished product adapting a specific, bounded source story, and no further content has been announced or shipped since launch. The game is complete as originally shipped.
Evidence
Store description frames the game as a personal, self-contained adaptation of Lovecraft's short story, with no mention of future content, DLC, or updates. Developer quote suggests this was a formative, finished project.
Short description positions the game as a journey through the specific Lovecraft short story — no indication of planned expansions or ongoing content.
Media
Details
Developer
Publisher
Dystopia Game Studio
Achievements
5
Platform
Windows
Controller
—
Steam Deck
Playable
Players
Single-player
About this game
"The Picture in the House" is a short story written on December 12, 1920 by H. P. Lovecraft.
You are a young Boston researcher conducting genealogical studies in the city of Arkham.
Once you have lost your way, you come across a worn-out house forgotten by the world, but something and someone is hidden inside.
Guide the protagonist through puzzle games, cinematics and dark and ancient mysteries.
•Creative Puzzle game: You will have to face different types of ancient and mysterious mechanisms to get to the bottom of the story.
•Unique Animated 2d cinematic: Different animated 2d cinematic for better storytelling
•Interactive books: Interactable and browsable books with unique illustrations
“This project made us start a journey in the world of video games, it formed and excited us, we wanted to give a personal touch to the story of Lovecraft to give you an experience in Lovecraftian atmospheres for free.”
You are a young Boston researcher conducting genealogical studies in the city of Arkham.
Once you have lost your way, you come across a worn-out house forgotten by the world, but something and someone is hidden inside.
Guide the protagonist through puzzle games, cinematics and dark and ancient mysteries.
•Creative Puzzle game: You will have to face different types of ancient and mysterious mechanisms to get to the bottom of the story.
•Unique Animated 2d cinematic: Different animated 2d cinematic for better storytelling
•Interactive books: Interactable and browsable books with unique illustrations
“This project made us start a journey in the world of video games, it formed and excited us, we wanted to give a personal touch to the story of Lovecraft to give you an experience in Lovecraftian atmospheres for free.”
Are these done yet?
Last evaluated Jun 23, 2026
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