Horror games have seen a rise in popularity and innovation in recent years. Developers from Red Barrels, particularly Philippe Morin, discuss the genre’s evolution and what it means for players.

“Players have a need to have high emotions, and being scared makes people feel alive. The great thing about video games is that you can be scared without actually having real risk.”
(Translation: Players crave intense emotions, and fear can be exhilarating. Video games allow for fear without real-life danger.)

Morin emphasizes the importance of immersion in horror gaming, stating:

“You just have to make them think this world is real, and this world can hurt you.”
(Translation: The key is to convince players that the game world is genuine and poses real threats.)

Through their work on ‘The Outlast Trials’, Red Barrels has sought to create thrilling experiences that push the boundaries of player expectations and fears. Morin notes:

“One question we always ask ourselves is do we have to go further every time. I don’t think so.”
(Translation: They question whether it’s necessary to continuously escalate fear in each new game.)

The conversation highlights a balancing act between delivering scares while maintaining a captivating narrative that resonates with players. Ultimately, developers believe the essence of horror continues to thrive as long as they can engage audiences in genuine fear and vulnerability.