Horror

Frame · Genre genre

Fear as a design goal – the game wants to frighten, disturb or unsettle, and that should feel good.

Design question – Your game should create fear. What is the source of the terror – and how do you ensure the fear stays enjoyable?

Associations

• Typical Activities – Hiding, Escaping, Investigating, Surviving

Coherence

Core expectations: threat, vulnerability, atmosphere, jump scares or creeping unease, restricted options for action. Mechanisms: Hidden Information, Timer, Asymmetry (an overpowering opponent), Betrayal, Event (unexpected twists). Activities: Hiding, Escaping, Investigating, Surviving. Ludic Temporal Structure: alternation between exploration (slow) and flight (fast); no safe pause. Ludic Social Structure: solo (classic), co-op (fearing together), asymmetric (1 monster vs. group).