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Voorhees, Krueger, Analyst Talk Horror Genre Success
Since players first stepped foot in the macabre mansion buried deep in Raccoon Forest, the face of video games changed. The horror genre has mutated into a stronger beast over the years, and now key figures from horror films and the video game industry share their opinions on the record sales.
Michael Pachter, Wedbush Morgan video game industry analyst, tells Reuters the horror game sales have risen to $147 million in the US through September. This is a significant increase compared to all of last year’s horror game sales of $131 million. Of course, Resident Evil 5’s 1.94 million copies sold in March made up exactly half of the $147 million. Hopefully Pachter’s info is trustworthy, because he also tosses Devil May Cry and Dante’s Inferno under the horror genre.
Several horror movie icons also weighed in on the horror genre’s triumph.
Kane Hodder, the man behind Jason Voorhees’s goalie mask, says "Whenever horror movies do well, Hollywood always rushes more into theaters and people get a little burned out on them. But with games, there are fewer choices in the genre and they tend to be spaced out better."
No horror games have been spaced out better than entries in the Friday the 13th series.
Speaking of sequels being spaced out, let’s talk about Saw. Tobin Bell, the actor of serial killer Jigsaw, talks about what the game version has to offer horror fans. "The game, itself, is very ‘Saw’-like because you get to make a bunch of different choices," says the actor. "Of course, the choices have consequences, which is very much like the films. What's interesting for fans is that the game is set between the first and second films, so it will be a new experience for them."
You also have a choice – whether or not to play the game. Here’s what I think about that.
Next up is Robert Englund, the one and only Freddy Krueger (not counting the upcoming remake), who says horror games give scare-hungry consumers a unique experience. "Halloween gives fans the chance to dress up in costumes and celebrate horror,” says Englund, “but video games are the best way for fans to actually participate in these worlds.”
Overall it appears the consensus is that the horror genre is on the up and up. People enjoy getting scared, and there is no lack of white-knuckle titles on the horizon. Dead Rising 2, Silent Hill: Shattered Memories, and Resident Evil: Darkside Chronicles are all on their way. Reuters even suggests a 2010 release for Dead Space 2.
Terror is on the public’s mind right now. Can you remember the scariest moment you’ve ever experienced in a game?
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