The reasons independent horror games are superior than triple-A horror

Over the years, there have been many excellent horror games, and 2023 is no exception. Triple-A horror is still going strong, but maybe at a slower pace than other genres, with famous names like The Texas Chain Saw Massacre making an appearance, Dead by Daylight continuing to be a popular film, and the Resident Evil 4 remake dominating many of our GOTY lists. What, then, makes independent horror games appear to have something big-budget horror does not?

As a matter of fact, I'm willing to wager that many of the most well-known horror games from the previous 10 years had rather modest beginnings. The creepy creatures that inhabit the Poppy Playtime characters cast, the eerie horrors of the FNAF games, the profound and unsettling themes in Doki Doki Literature Club, the Lovecraftian horrors of Dredge, and the numerous unsolved mysteries that keep us dreaming of a Amanda the Adventurer 2—even some of the greatest Roblox horror games, like Roblox Doors. All of them began as modest independent endeavors and became into some of the most recognizable figures in the horror genre this century.

Excuse the Pennywise pun, but what is the "IT" element that contributes to the exceptional quality of all these independent games? How did one of the most successful horror franchises in history come from a.png image of a spooky animatronic bear that appeared over a grainy, static screen? Why are youngsters everywhere holding Huggy Wuggy plush toys from Poppy Playtime? What distinguishes mechanically straightforward games like The Mortuary Assistant, Phasmophobia, and Madison from massive releases with well-known IPs?

I have some hypotheses, even if I don't know the answers to all of these questions. Paradoxically, I have a theory about theories. The majority of these well-known horror games have one thing in common: they spark a lot of internet debates, hypotheses, and general discussion. This subject has previously been covered in my beginner's guide to ARGs and Amanda the Adventurer'review', but I believe it still has a big influence on independent games in general, particularly horror games.

Being inherently inquisitive beings, humans often like to be able to tie things up with a tidy bow. Many studies have shown that we all have a natural yearning for resolution. We anticipate receiving a response if we have a query about a story element or tidbit of information from a book, film, or video game. After that, we won't have to deal with the constant sensation of curiosity that piques our interest and keeps us wondering about what to do next in life.

This, in my opinion, is where a lot of high-budget horror films and video games go awry. They believe that's what we want, therefore they often offer us those answers a bit too readily. However, it's not entirely accurate. Exposition dumps, in which the protagonist visits a library or discovers a journal that has an exhaustive explanation, are not necessarily what we want to see. Sometimes we don't want the antagonist to give us a lecture on why they're so horrible. Independent horror game developers seem to have realized that sometimes our own hypotheses and conclusions are considerably more persuasive than those crammed in by the makers.

You see, even while we do want some degree of closure, there are instances when it comes from unsatisfactory external sources. Have you ever predicted the outcome of a movie while watching it and then been let down when you were correct? Or maybe you had an idea about what you thought would happen at the end of a TV show, but it wasn't as satisfying as you had hoped? That's sort of how it is.

Horror, in my view, is all about suspense and unpredictability; it feeds off of our innate concerns, such as the sense of being watched, the unknown, or the monster lurking in the shadows, and uses them to gnaw at your conscience long after the experience has ended. Horror works best, in my opinion, when it eludes explanations or subverts your expectations. Examples of this include providing vague tidbits of information about a monster's past, keeping its actual motivations or origins a secret, or burying messages in the code of the game.

You are then left wondering what transpired, which compels you to use your imagination to fill in the blanks. You re-play the game to make sure you didn't miss anything. You visit forums to express your thoughts and read those of others. To find out more information, visit the developer's or publisher's websites and social media accounts, browse through trailers, or—in the case of FNAF—go out and purchase books.

Another option is to watch content producers play the game and draw their own conclusions by watching them on Twitch, YouTube, and other platforms. They all follow the same procedures. Your ideas and theories could change as a result of their thoughts and theories, and you might revisit the subject from a different angle. Alternatively, you may disagree with the content creator's findings and respond with your own ideas, which would encourage further discussion and involvement.

Naturally, while talking about this theoretical environment, the Game Theorists are among the first groups that spring to mind. The astounding number of almost 18 million subscribers they have attests to the potency of "theory baiting" in video games. It's also a contributing factor in the enormous success that horror game let's plays and streaming see big content producers like Markiplier and Jacksepticeye experiencing. For the same reason, I've been watching Hollow's Chilla's Art streaming lately. I know all the games, but I want to check whether his viewpoints and the conversations in the comments line up with mine.

Again, just consider how simplistic and basic the early FNAF games are. If an independent developer has a fantastic idea and compelling concept, the game mechanics and budget may really take a backseat to the story. Though eye-catching visuals, an abundance of thrilling weaponry and battle scenarios, fully spoken cutscenes, and all the other accoutrements of excellent triple-A games are undoubtedly alluring in and of itself, independent developers can seldom rely on that. Instead, in order to differentiate their game from a plethora of more glitzy titles, developers must be inventive with the resources at their disposal.

And now, it seems that there has been some change in the cultural zeitgeist. Technically speaking, there are a ton of technically impressive games out there, and new ones are being released all the time. However, a lot of these games have failed, and very few have evoked the same level of fear that I did the first time I played Outlast, Silent Hill, or even the criminally underappreciated (and very early 2000s) Obscure games. For many of us, however, the allure of a genuine mystery that goes beyond the game is starting to appear far more alluring. It offers a fresh level of interaction that challenges our assumptions and encourages participation on a whole new plane.

However, there has also been discussion over whether theories may harm games, particularly ones that are still in production, and I can see both sides of this argument. The Game Theorists even made a film on this, in fact. In summary, as previously said, a widely accepted idea could vary significantly from the initial intentions of the developers, which might impact their choices and alter the plot, so jeopardizing the story's integrity. On the other hand, if a lot of players figure out all the "surprises" a developer has in store for a game, they could feel under pressure to alter their plan in order to maintain the mystery, which sometimes results in a hurried, unsatisfying, or inferior ending.

But there are advantages as well. Theories, comments, and almost any kind of communication are usually the result of a passion and interest in the project, providing not only new ideas but also encouragement and signal boosting for the game. In fact, it's quite doubtful that we would have the FNAF we have now if it weren't for all of the discussions that are going on online.

Furthermore, this kind of conversation is a very effective marketing tool since it sparks curiosity and draws in a larger audience to learn more about the narrative, giving independent developers a chance to promote their products that they otherwise wouldn't have. If it weren't for my interest in the theory and the realm of anomalous regression games, I would not have played many of these little-known, hidden horror treasures and probably would not have ever heard of them.

What makes independent horror games so much more financially supported than triple-A titles? There are many factors, but in my opinion, they mostly boil down to two interconnected elements: a compelling story with an alluring mystery and a vibrant community of theorists who are driven to find the answer. For horror is more than only realism, elaborate visuals, and well-known figures like Jason Vorhees or Freddy Kreuger.

The influence horror has extends beyond the screen, page, or game. It involves focusing on your own anxieties and insecurities. It's about a concept that seeps into your consciousness and clings there till you are unable to sleep. It is about being afraid to turn off the light or seeing a shadow out of the corner of your eye. No amount of money can salvage it if the central mystery and storyline aren't able to captivate you.

If you're an independent horror developer and you stumble onto this, please keep creating the kind of work you're doing. Just make sure you're happy of the narrative you release, regardless of whether it follows established ideas or deviates greatly from them. Because the horror genre is still very much alive and well because of you and your fantastic work.

That's just my (indie horror) game philosophy, however, so whatever. I appreciate you reading. Check out our PT History Lesson on Resident Evil 4, our in-depth analysis of the Poppy Playtime Chapter 3 theories, or our comprehensive guide to all FNAF characters if you're in the mood for another deep dive with a horror theme. To help you take your spooks with you wherever you go, we've compiled lists of the top portable gaming consoles and gaming phones.