Bonus content for Nancy Drew: Midnight in Salem (MID)!
Fun Facts:
- Calina Herman was part of the early development and design meetings for Midnight in Salem. She was one of the few who remained on the team through the company changes and game changes with Unity.
- On May 5, 2025, HeR Interactive finally shared some behind-the-scenes concept art from the original design from Midnight in Salem. They shared it in a video on their YouTube Channel here: HeR Vault Days 21-30 | HeR Interactive 30 Year Fan Celebration.
- Here’s Calina’s reaction video explaining what we are shown:
Left: the original graveyard design featured a walking bridge, at least two crypts, several tombstones with important epitaphs, a tree (part of a puzzle), and was an audio tour spot.
Right: Hathorne house, upstairs was a location players were intended to explore. The floor was to contain a Amateur/Master sleuth puzzle to get Nancy safely across. The orange corner was the key destination as this was part of the house that didn’t burn and contained some clues.
These reference photos were for Mei and Teegan’s Witch Tourist shop. It was meant to look like an old apothecary with herbs in jars, essential oils, and other modern wiccan elements. This later transformed into a museum where only Teegan worked.
This sketch of the Jack-o-Lantern puzzle was an original activity design that made it into the new version of Midnight in Salem.
On the right is a sample photo of a mockup for Olivia’s audio tour.
Left: In the final version of the game, Deirdre’s green convertible was inspired by a 1965 or 1966 Ford Mustang. In the original design for Midnight in Salem, the car was a Triumph Spitfire in powder blue, and was not Deirdre’s car.
Right: an original grey box modeling of the town shows the round-a-bout with pedestrian crossings. The first texturing began on the bakery, seen in yellow and light blues. This bakery is where Lauren works, but in the original design was owned by Nate Faulkner, who is/was Teegan’s fiancé.
Easter Eggs – Physical Eggs
- The physical Easter Egg can be seen right away in the Parry’s house living room. It is located in the plant by the built-in shelves and fireplace.
Easter Eggs – Discoveries
- In the Museum on a shelf is a book written by Professor Hotchkiss, who is a recurring character in the series originating from Nancy Drew: Treasure in the Royal Tower.
- Koko Kringle bars, a Nancy Drew game canon chocolate bar, is seen in a few places in the game: Olivia’s shop, and the Parry house kitchen counter.
- A pumpkin with the carving of Charlotte from Nancy Drew: Ghost of Thornton Hall is seen on the front porch of the Parry house. This is a contest winner’s design, and part of her prize was getting her pumpkin into the game.
- In the tunnels, Mei’s letter mentions she was accepted int the Waverly School. Waverly Academy is an all-girls boarding high school from the game Nancy Drew: Warnings at Waverly Academy. This is also a slight continuity error, since the Mei letter and her dialogue, implies it is a University or Art school.
In-Game Credits
TBD
Additional Credit and Thanks:
TBD
