The Attraction & Psychology Behind Horror Games

Horror games have a particular fascination behind them that some people just can’t ignore and actually crave. You’re going to get jump scared, your heart will be pounding and you may even have nightmares... Which is obvious. Yet some gamers still flock in their droves to get their hands on the latest scarefest of a game. But why is this?


The genre of horror has grown so popular. We understand that it isn't for everyone and there are people that prefer to stay well clear of anything horror related. What can't be argued is that it has worked its way into almost all forms of digital entertainment. This even includes online casinos that offer bonus spins to play your favorite slots (Yes, there are horror-themed slots!). Let’s take a look at some of the aspects that have made this genre of the game so popular.


The Scares


Most of us have built-in fears - death, injury and apparently falling are all things we’re born scared of. Beyond these though, video games like to use other elements to bring the goosebumps.
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One of the most common is the aspect of abnormality or disfigurement of the normal. The clue is in the name - many horror games take something we’re used to and twist or morph it into something we aren’t used to.


This can be done in a subtle way such as slightly janky movement or odd characteristics, just like Alma in the original F.E.A.R game. But what some of the best horrors do is go in the opposite direction and make things so disfigured you can’t help but recoil. A classic case of this is the Dead Space franchise. The first game wasn’t just scary thanks to the atmosphere, the body horror was downright traumatizing.


Another big tactic horror games will implement is the use of darkness. There’s something inherently scary about the pitch black. It taps into a primal part of the brain, the part that wonders what kind of threat is lurking in the void. Alan Wake used the darkness as one of its core mechanics, even giving you as the protagonist a flashlight as one of your main methods of combat.


The atmosphere that surrounds your character is a huge tactic. From level designs to the ambience, different elements are woven together to add a whole new level of immersion. Many indie horror games and even indie horror films - such as the recently released Skinamarink - have used atmosphere to create unforgettable experiences.


A lesser-known tactic is the recently researched ‘excitation transference’. This theory dictates that the anticipation building up to a scary event helps add far more weight to the scare. Those scary noises you’re hearing in the distance as you wander around a hallway? Building anticipation. The soundtrack and sound design play a vital role in supplying the biggest scares when using excitation transference, allowing the suspense to build either slowly or quickly.


Why Gamers Play Horror Games


Knowing that they’re going to have the heck scared out of them, why are gamers lining up to experience these horror titles? You may be thinking it’s for the Twitch views but there has actually been quite a lot of extensive research done into why we crave being scared out of our skin!


One theory states that a certain type of personality appreciates these digital scares thanks to the sensation it provides. The emotional high they get when they get scared out of their seat is the same kind of short adrenaline burst they would get from high-octane activities such as swimming with sharks or skydiving.


Other personality types like the escape to a more surreal fantasy of a scenario that will (hopefully) never take place in the real world. The breaking of social norms and the sheer otherworldliness of the events that may transpire in the game draws them in.


A very interesting theory that many people feel holds weight is a simple theory that these games can help us master and overcome fears. This is especially the case for younger gamers who are playing quite intense horror games such as Five Nights at Freddy's. Playing scary horror games can give the player some form of control as the player knows they can handle whatever happens to them in the digital world. They’ll survive and conquer the demon/zombie/evil spirit/other scary creature and go on with their lives. This virtual courage can leak into the real world.


Another theory posits that A big section of gamers wants to feel the 'thank goodness that's over' high. This releases feel-good hormones that are comparable to taking part in high-adrenaline activities. The psychological arousal that occurs during the game builds and builds, adding even more impact to the high when the ‘horror’ is over (much like the excitation transference we talked about before.) This theory dictates that people don’t actually enjoy the horror itself, but rather the huge high that comes after.


The final big theory is the social aspect of being able to get through a scary gaming experience. This theory was found to be mainly applicable to males who put themselves through these hair-raising games for hypothetical ‘toughness points’. Some theorists go so far as to say it’s a way for these men to demonstrate their ability to protect loved ones.


Conclusion


Whilst there is no real set-in-stone reason why horror games draw gamers in, it’s certainly an area that is absolutely ripe for research. No doubt there will be more studies done - which will result in even scarier games!

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