70°

What Makes a Video Game Scary?

Resident Evil, Alone in the Dark, Dead Space… These are games synonymous with the “survival horror” genre these days. But what is it that makes them scary? Is it the visual quality? To a degree, yes. Is it the sound? That can also go a long way. Is it the story? It sure helps. But while H.R. Giger’s artwork is creepy in its own right, a scream can make you jump, and a story can get your mind running, it is the careful combination of all of these that makes a game truly frightening to play.

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bowlingotter.com
Darkfiber5246d ago (Edited 5246d ago )

To be fair, Alan Wake was always promoted as a thriller, not a horror game. As for most of the games on this list, I don't believe they are overly scary. The reason for this is simple: most horror games have turned into shooters. Back in the day, you would be lucky to get a knife and maybe a puny gun with three bullets in it that wouldn't even be able to take out a single enemy. Now you have games like Dead Space that gives you virtually unlimited ammo with 8+ devastatingly overpowered weapons, all for the sake of "more action". More action does not make a game scarier. The greatest fears people have are of the unknown. If you constantly see waves of aliens or zombies coming at you, you are not going to be scared. The scariest parts of horror games are when there are no enemies. This brings in an element of the unknown because you feel like there should be enemies, at any time, which adds a level of anticipation as to when they are actually going to come out, and the longer it takes for one to appear the more apprehensive you get, particularly when you can hear them and not see them.

Survival Horror implies that you do whatever you can to scrape by and not die, in a horror setting. It's not hard to survive when you have pulse rifles, flame throwers and guns that shoot saw blades. At that point you are just going to town and having fun killing things. That is a long way from barely surviving.

buckley5245d ago

You did basically restate my thoughts on Dead Space from the article when it comes to oversaturation of combat, in that it loses its effect and luster. Alone in the Dark and Amnesia: The Dark Descent, these are games that get it right.

Led-Zeppelin5245d ago (Edited 5245d ago )

What makes a game scary? Pace, Atmosphere, sound.

Darkfiber5245d ago

Haha I know, I was agreeing with you and ended up getting a bit carried away by making my comment longer than I intended. I agree with Amnesia as well, an excellent game that really knows how to do horror well. Penumbra games were good as well (made by the same developer) but not quite as scary in my opinion.

the_best_player5245d ago

What Makes a Video Game Scary?

No 2 player or online for a start

Bloodraid5245d ago

And of course; you have disagrees... How pathetic. People on this site never fail to surprise me. Here; have an agree and a bubble, you deserve it.

LoaMcLoa5245d ago

Atmosphere, music, visuals and the feeling of everything being hopeless

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60°

EA Isn’t Changing Pricing Strategy for Now After Nintendo & Xbox Announce $80 Games

EA just hosted its quarterly financial conference call, and its executives have been asked to comment about the recent price hikes for games.

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simulationdaily.com
50°

Electronic Arts Claims "Strong" End of Fiscal Year as Split Fiction Has Sold Nearly 4 Million Units

Today, Electronic Arts announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of its fiscal year 2025, alongside the full year.
Split Fiction has sold nearly 4 million copies, and the next battlefield is confirmed for a release by March 2026 with a reveal this Summer.

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simulationdaily.com
70°

EA Cuts Around 300 Roles, Including Roughly 100 at Respawn

In addition to the roughly 100 job cuts IGN reported earlier today at Respawn Entertainment, EA has made wider cuts across its organization today, impacting around 300 individuals total including those already reported at Respawn.

Lightning7747d ago

Absolutely insane. Man I'm hope they land on their feet EA needs to get the shit together badly....

This is why this industry has slow releases and none compelling games.

127maXimus46d ago

Why would anyone willingly work in the VG industry or specifically for one of these globocorp organizations that put you in constant fear of losing your livelihood based on terrible choices made by idiotic management, not the people with talent making the actual games?