The video game market is growing. From humble beginnings in the 1940s at the Westinghouse display at the Wold’s Fair where players played Nim, through the rapid technological advances of the 1970s and 80s, to the 1990s and early 2000s where video games started becoming more mainstream, video games are now a part of popular culture, more popular than even movies and music.

The video game industry is currently worth over US$65 billion in the US alone, and its growth shows no signs of abating. The main drivers behind this growth are:

• Technological advancements
  • Smartphones
  • Increased connectivity
  • Better graphics
  • Virtual Reality / Augmented Reality
  • Streaming capabilities
• Changing player habits
  • The rise of the casual and hyper-casual gamer driving growth in the F2P (revenue in North America of US$13 billion) and mobile sectors
  • Online gaming communities
• Shifting demographics
  • People travelling more and working longer hours with less time to meet people in real life
  • Need for connection irrespective of time and distance

Increased competition

The rise of the popularity of gaming has led to a great number of market entrants, and competition for gamers is fierce. Developers have to constantly innovate and adapt to suit the market demands in order to succeed, and they have used many different methods to attract new players, including type of game, cost, and platform. One of the most popular ways of attracting players is to tap into popular culture, basing their games on popular themes.

Horror: one of the most popular themes for games

Horror has always been a popular theme:

• Able to experience fear in a safe environment to develop coping mechanisms
• Lessons in how to handle negative emotions
• Release of dopamine 
• A form of thrill seeking
• Sense of relief when it is over is pleasurable

Horror in slot games

Virgin Games has a wealth of horror-themed games, predominantly in the realm of slots, which lend themselves particularly well to different themes. 

• Arcane Reels

Set in a dystopian future, filled with mystery and occult symbols this offering from NetEnt features a five reel, three row, 20-line video slot where four superheroes must protect their city from the wicked Deep pockets and destroy the scatter symbols that threaten to turn him into an evil maniac. With numerous bonuses and free spins, the return to player (RTP) is high, at 96.81%.

• Curse of the Werewolf

Based on the 1961 horror film of the same name, this slot game sees players face off against a fearsome werewolf on a full moon. Despite a slightly comical feel, the music creates an eerie atmosphere, and the symbols and iconography all add to this feeling. The bonuses give free spins and guaranteed wins, with RTP of 96.50%.

• Ooh Aah Dracula

One of many games based on the classic story of the Count of Transylvania, this is indeed a terrifying offering, including unusual symbols and a bold design, and equally spooky music to accompany the spins. A heart with a stake through triggers the bonus game, and there are options for all levels of player and bankroll, including a high roller feature, and RTP of 96%

Other horror themed games

• Resident Evil 7

Yes, there are six that came before, highlighting the popularity and success of this franchise. This iteration of the game feeds effortlessly off the last 20 years of horror films. The first person nature of the game (as well as offering the future opportunity for VR features) makes the game play uncomfortably close, with players feeling that they can almost touch the ghouls they come across. The sense of fear is heightened by the artwork and graphics, as well as the cleverly designed gameplay, making ammunition scarce and the boss fights scary.

• The Medium

This game is less jump scares, more psychological fear and horror. Playing as Marianne, a spirit medium living between the real world and world of spirits, players navigate an abandoned hotel hoping to find answers to the visions of a dead girl. The game play is slow and measured, with plenty of character development and a general feeling of unease that is heightened by an atmospheric musical score that would not be out of place in any Hollywood horror film.

• Little Nightmares 1 and 2

Both games in this franchise are highly enjoyable and rewarding games to play. The sequel builds seamlessly onto the activity in the first, introducing a new character, Mono, who joins forces with Six, the protagonist of the original game. Playing at Mono, the player must solve puzzles to survive the Pale City, a terrifying place filled with darkness and fear. The use of lighting and shadows is what gives this game a spin-tingling creepiness to it, ideal for fans of horror and puzzles.

The future for horror-themed games

Most fads come and go, but the use of horror as a mainstay of all types of games seems to be here to stay. There are so many options available to developers, from games based on films, to general horror themes, as well as the huge potential for elements of comedy and fear. There are the gory horrors, jump scares, and psychological horrors, creating scope for developers to create something for everyone!