Thanks for starting this topic! I think the essence of HQ_Resi is that player recognition of it in a game then shapes players expectations of the game. As in, if a player recognizes that the indie horror game they are playing is using HQ_Resi without any modifications, then the expectation is that it is a lazily made game. More recently, I think the expectation (and maybe more hope) is that newly made indie games using HQ_Resi will work harder to subvert players expectations.

ooooo this is a good idea! We didn't want to make purchasing the asset a requirement, as we didn't want the cost to prohibit anyone from participating, so hopefully this thread helps inspire some ideas. I'll throw in my perspective from making "The Open House" but you basically already nailed the two large points I was attempting to capture in that game, in regards to the house. 

The first was using the default layout, as people are so familiar with it now. I wanted people to walk in to that house and feel like they had been there before. I think for the jam, you could recreate the house using other assets or aesthetic styles and it would still be instantly recognizable upon entry. 

The second was what the house "represented" so far in the indie scene. Basically the types of games it's used in and what the themes of those games usually are. You could, in theory, have your game take place in another suburban environment (like a neighbor) or deal with the aftermath of an event that occurred in the "HQ_Residential_House!" 

But! Be as creative with your interpretation as you want or need to be! You're not limited to a genre, physical environment, aesthetic style or anything! If HQ_Residential_House makes you want to make a visual novel with Match-3 style gameplay, do it up! 

One thing I've been thinking recently goes along with that "charm of different conflicting ideas", but instead from a sort of homeowner-versus-HOA perspective if that makes sense? Like, when I look at the house, especially from the outside, I just instantly think of those often-gated "communities" of nearly-identical houses often under an HOA if I'm not mistaken (sorry if I'm not wholly clear, I'm just a student from rural Ohio, so I don't have a whole lotta' knowledge about housing lol). And so, to me at least, the essence feels like that conflict of what "you" as a "homeowner" want in a home and what your idea of home is, versus the idea of what an HOA would impose, and its idea of forcing community through restriction. Part of this comes from how little customization is done in some games, and part of that comes from how much I'm just reminded of those HGTV house-flipping shows. I have some other thoughts about the essense in the back of my mind but they're not as clear at the minute.

- Lightling

I've read all of the comments and frankly speaking it's a very interesting subject matter. 

First of all, thanks for the topic started and for creating this game Jam. For me, reasons being here are to prove that original ideas mixed with old fashioned popular genres (e.g. horror, thriller, detective, psychological, puzzle) can be applied to an specific "Asset" for the games. Fortunately, (not because of a cost)I am using blender, which no one uses nowadays. I will (after the game Jam starts) try to recreate the entire house and of course the theme , which I chose - investigation and psychological thriller, by doing this it shows that you don't need the Unity Or UE programs or any other well-known asset packs to make something special. I guess what I want to say is, "HQ_Residential" House is an irony to those who want to make good playable games by making (let's say this gently)less effort, but somehow end up being pretty great. As for the meaning of the game, that is of course confidential (well, not that I don't want to reveal the game, just, too tangled to figure out the main story myself, lol), but the house itself is a character (as once great John Wolfe said). 

P.S. the one thing I can say about my approach is that SH and Cry of Fear are most influential for me. Also...for 7 years, since I've been watching John Wolfe make amazing content, I dreamt of him playing my game (the whole reason why I started my own game studio 2 years ago). If that happens, my dream will definitely come true and thanks for that opportunity.