Introduction Imagine a game so terrifying, so uniquely crafted, that it manages to chill you to the bone despite being developed in a mere 48 hours. This, my friends, is the power of a game jam. These intense bursts of creativity, where developers race against… Read More »Game Jams and Horror Games: Innovative Creations from Short Development Times

Introduction Imagine yourself immersed in a terrifying world, facing down a monstrous creature that seems to move with uncanny realism, its every growl and lunge echoing the primal fears that lurk within you. This terrifying experience, so visceral and gripping, is often made possible by… Read More »Motion Capture in Horror Games: Bringing Monsters to Life

Introduction Imagine this: you’re navigating a dark, dilapidated hospital in a horror game, the air thick with the scent of decay and fear. You hear a faint whisper coming from a nearby room, a voice that seems to be calling your name. You cautiously approach,… Read More »Cognitive Dissonance in Horror Games: Creating Confusion and Fear

Imagine yourself walking through a desolate, fog-shrouded forest. The wind whispers through the trees, rustling leaves and carrying the faint, distant cry of a bird. Suddenly, a twig snaps under your foot, and your heart leaps into your throat. The silence that follows is deafening,… Read More »Sound Design in Horror Games: Crafting Audio to Induce Fear

Introduction Have you ever felt a surge of adrenaline as you tiptoed through a darkened corridor, desperately searching for an escape route in a terrifying video game? Or perhaps you’ve felt a chill crawl down your spine as you made a crucial decision, knowing it… Read More »Player Agency in Horror Games: How Choices Affect the Experience

Introduction Imagine stepping into a dimly lit, abandoned hospital. The air is thick with dust and the scent of decay. A faint scratching sound echoes from the shadows, and your heart races as you realize you’re not alone. This is the power of art direction… Read More »Art Direction in Horror Games: Visuals That Evoke Terror

Imagine yourself venturing into a dark, dilapidated mansion, the air thick with anticipation. Suddenly, you hear a creak from the floorboards above, followed by the sound of heavy footsteps. You hold your breath, your heart pounding, as you slowly turn to face the unknown. This… Read More »The Use of AI in Horror Games: Creating Smarter, Scarier Enemies

Introduction Imagine yourself creeping through a dimly lit, abandoned hospital, the silence broken only by the dripping of water and your own ragged breaths. You’re on edge, every creak of the floorboards sending chills down your spine. Then, suddenly, a shadowy figure lunges at you,… Read More »Pacing in Horror Games: Balancing Tension and Relief

Horror games have a knack for tapping into our deepest fears, keeping us glued to the screen with a mixture of adrenaline and dread. But what makes these virtual nightmares so effective? The answer often lies in their roots: real-world stories and urban legends that… Read More »The Creepy Connection: Real-World Inspirations for Horror Games

Introduction Imagine yourself navigating a darkened, abandoned hospital, the air thick with the stench of decay. Each creak of the floorboards sends a shiver down your spine, and the flickering shadows seem to writhe with unseen horrors. You hear a faint scratching sound coming from… Read More »Game Theory in Horror Games: Designing for Maximum Fear