'I based horror video game on working in a Scottish chippy'
BBC World
February 26, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
James Muirhead, the developer behind *Grease Trap '99*, revealed that his inspiration for the horror video game stemmed from his experience working in a Scottish fish and chip shop. Drawing on his time in Perth after university, he chose this distinctly Scottish setting as the perfect backdrop for the game, which sees players managing customer orders while battling eerie supernatural events unfolding beneath the shop. Funded by a £10,000 grant from Creative Scotland, *Grease Trap '99* features Gaelic dialogue and a retro aesthetic inspired by early PlayStation graphics, creating an unsettling yet familiar atmosphere. The game also incorporates unique details from Muirhead’s chip shop days, such as the menu design and quirky food items like battered pizza crunch.
Muirhead explained that his upbringing in Fife further influenced the game’s eerie, small-town vibe, where the supernatural elements contrast with the comforting setting of a seaside chippy. He noted that while fish and chip shops exist across the UK, Scotland’s structured ordering system—like the “single” (fried item) and “supper” (item plus chips)—provided a clear framework for the game’s mechanics. This attention to detail adds authenticity to the gameplay experience, blending humor and horror in a way that feels both nostalgic and unsettling.
The inclusion of Gaelic dialogue in *Grease Trap '99* is another unique feature inspired by Muirhead’s admiration for the indie horror game *Sona 2000*, which uses Finnish. Determined to bring Gaelic culture to life, he is now learning the language specifically for the game’s development. The funding from Creative Scotland has been transformative, allowing him to focus full
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Originally published on BBC World on 2/26/2026