Lightmatter
A first-person puzzle game about light and shadow.
Lightmatter, a puzzle video game released in 2020, was developed by Tunnel Vision Games and published by Aspyr for Microsoft Windows. The player navigates a mountain range and laboratory from a first-person perspective, guided by a scientist named Virgil. An experiment has gone wrong, making shadows dangerous, so the player must use light-emitting objects to stay safe. A portable spotlight provides light but cannot be carried into shadowed areas, while a photon connector requires a clear line of sight between two nodes to create a steady beam.
The game was created by the Danish independent studio Tunnel Vision Games, a six-person team that spent over three years on development. The concept began as an idea among five friends at Aalborg University, who pursued it after graduation. Programmer Benjamin Overgaard noted that the lighting system, built in the Unity engine, drew visual inspiration from photographer Serge Najjar and the games Manifold Garden and White Night. Co-founder Philip Nymann said the game was commercially successful, but the studio closed after release, unwilling to find new ways to monetize players. In 2025, the team released Lightmatter Anniversary, which includes prototype versions and developer commentary.
According to Metacritic, Lightmatter received "mixed or average" reviews.
Quick Facts
- Title
- Lightmatter
- Developer
- Tunnel Vision Games
- Publisher
- Aspyr
- Platforms
- Microsoft Windows
- Released
- 15 January 2020
- Genre
- Puzzle
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Lightmatter was developed by Danish independent developer Tunnel Vision Games, led by a six-person studio over three years. The concept originated as an idea among five friends at Aalborg University, who decided to develop the game after graduation. Programmer Benjamin Overgaard stated the visual design for the lighting system was inspired by the photography of Serge Najjar and the games Manifold Garden and White Night.
In the game, players are guided by a scientist named Virgil through a mountain range and laboratory while avoiding shadows made dangerous by an experiment gone awry. Players use light-emitting objects such as a portable spotlight (which cannot be taken into shadow areas) and a photon connector that generates a consistent beam of light between two nodes with line of sight.
Tunnel Vision co-founder Philip Nymann stated the game was commercially successful, but the company ended operations after release because the studio was unwilling to develop new ways of making money from players. In 2025, the studio released Lightmatter Anniversary, featuring prototype versions and developer commentary.
Reader's Guide
Lightmatter received 'mixed or average' reviews according to Metacritic, indicating a divisive reception among critics. Its significance lies in its focused gameplay mechanic of light manipulation, which was inspired by artistic photography and other puzzle games. The game's development story is notable for its origin among university friends and the studio's decision to cease operations after a commercially successful release rather than adopt monetization strategies they opposed. The 2025 Anniversary edition provides archival insight into the game's development process through prototypes and commentary.
Did You Know?
- Tunnel Vision Games was a six-person studio that developed the game over three years.
- The studio ended operations after release because it was unwilling to develop new ways of making money from players.
- A Lightmatter Anniversary edition was released in 2025 with prototype versions and developer commentary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who developed and published Lightmatter?
Lightmatter was built by the Danish indie studio Tunnel Vision Games and shipped in 2020 by Aspyr, with the title available exclusively on Microsoft Windows.
What is the core premise of Lightmatter?
A botched experiment has turned ordinary shadows into lethal hazards, so the player must cross a mountain range and a laboratory while keeping themselves illuminated at all times.
What are the two main light tools the player uses?
The player carries a portable spotlight that brightens nearby areas but cannot be brought inside a shadow zone, and a photon connector that fires a steady beam between two nodes as long as an unobstructed line of sight exists.
Who is Virgil and what role does he play?
Virgil is a scientist who serves as the player's in-game guide, directing them through the mountain and laboratory sections and explaining the rules of the light-and-shadow mechanics.
How was Lightmatter received by critics?
The game landed in the mixed-to-average range on Metacritic, with reviewers generally praising its elegant light puzzles while noting a relatively short runtime.
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