Why Are Horror Video Games So Popular?
Horror video games are one of the most popular genres and always have been. It can seem odd that gamers would voluntarily put themselves in a creepy and unsettling setting that basically is making them frightened. But there’s just something about these games that make them next-level capturing.
When you initially think about fear, you’d think it was something that people would avoid. It’s a scary emotion that most people would find uncomfortable . But when it comes to video games apparently this isn’t the case. Horror video games have always been one of the most popular genres. Gamers apparently love to frighten themselves.
But it’s not just video games, it’s all kinds of games and movies with a horror theme that people seem to love. In the iGaming world, vampire inspired slot games are some of the most popular slot machines. It’s not just the vampire games, but all kinds of online casino games with a horror twist. Even when we’re gaming with money, we’re still looking for that fun thrill that horror adds to a game. But what is it exactly that is making these horror games so popular?
The experience of danger
The most obvious answer is that we get to experience danger. The thrill of danger gets the blood pumping and we can feel the adrenaline. There’s a rush of excitement going through one’s body when adrenaline is released. So, naturally, we will feel a sense of pleasure – even if it is a scary sensation. It can easily be compared to the sense of being on a rollercoaster ride. The difference between this and actual danger is that it’s in a safe setting – meaning that even though we are feeling a sense of fear, we also know that we’re not in actual real-life danger. At the same time, you can often play horror games with your friends making it an exciting social way of gaming.
Great challenges in an uncanny setting
Besides the thrill of fear, horror video games also present us with great challenges and difficult quests. These survival games usually have great adversity set in an uncanny setting. The combination of this uncanny setting and great adversity gives you a chance to really prove yourself. Also, these types of games usually have amazing graphics and soundscapes. They are able to create a very life-like, realistic atmosphere that captures our attention and immerses us in the game.
The soundscape is really important in this type of game, so this is more often than not prioritized highly compared to many other types of video games. The sounds play a vital part in making things scary. If you’re ever really scared when watching a horror movie or playing a game, try turning the sound off. You’ll instantly realize how much of the horror is in the creaks, gasps, and ambient noises. All of these things combined, the graphics, sounds, atmosphere, quests, and interesting characters, make the experience of horror games especially fascinating.
