Georgina Owassapian's Night Shift: 1999 uses vampire metaphor for migration
Georgina Owassapian, a developer, is set to release her visual novel Night Shift: 1999, which draws on her own experiences of migration through the lens of vampire fiction. Taking place in Sydney, Australia, the narrative centers on a vampire's quest to maintain its humanity, mirroring Owassapian's journey to Australia. The game features black-and-white pixel art, influenced by classic vampire cinema such as Nosferatu (1922) and Dracula (1931), and aims to challenge conventional vampire narratives by portraying the creature as an outsider. With a background in fine and installation art, Owassapian began this project around 2019, receiving assistance from Screen Australia's Emerging Gamemakers Fund. Set in the late 1990s to early 2000s, it highlights notable Sydney areas like Kings Cross, Darlinghurst, and Potts Point. Inspirations include the BBC's Being Human (2009) and AMC's Interview with the Vampire. Night Shift: 1999 will be featured at Frosty Games Fest 2026 on June 6, where a significant announcement will be made.
Key facts
- Night Shift: 1999 is a visual novel by Georgina Owassapian.
- The game uses vampires as a metaphor for migration.
- It is set in Sydney, Australia, in the late 1990s/early 2000s.
- The game features black-and-white pixel art.
- Owassapian has a fine art background.
- Development started around 2019.
- Supported by Screen Australia's Emerging Gamemakers Fund.
- Inspired by Being Human (2009) and Interview with the Vampire.
- Will appear at Frosty Games Fest 2026 on 6 June.
Entities
Artists
- Georgina Owassapian
Institutions
- Screen Australia
- National Art School
- ScreenHub
- ArtsHub
- Frosty Games Fest
- BBC
- AMC
Locations
- Sydney
- Australia
- Kings Cross
- Darlinghurst
- Potts Point
- Bristol
- England