Horror has global appeal. Although it can be a divisive genre due to the nature of its content and not being for everybody, it’s still largely enjoyed by a vast number of the world’s population.
There are many thrill-seekers around the planet who like to experience an element of fright and be left on the edge of their seats with anticipation about what might happen next. Halloween is one that has proven to be extremely popular worldwide, with the holiday season being all about the ghosts and ghouls of those that are associated with the genre, like Dracula, Frankenstein, and others.
Given the love and affinity that many have with it, there have been many entertainment mediums that have benefited from the theme, with films, books, and games all being able to thrive with its involvement. In fact, it’s possible to argue that it has become extremely popular within the gaming sector as there are many forms of games that have used it as a theme, including online casino games.
How has the online casino industry used horror for design and games?
If you decide to sign up for a $10 deposit casino in Australia to play casino games, you’re almost guaranteed to find a title that is based on the horror theme. It’s a theme that has proven extremely popular over the years, with titles like “Immortal Romance”, “Blood Suckers” and “Tombstone RIP” having all been widely enjoyed by players.
Horror’s visuals and sounds have lent themselves exceptionally well to the games that are created. They incorporate many of the same techniques that have made the films to have been shown on the big screen be a success. Game studios have simply been able to take them from there and put them into a game, giving players the same thrills and frights that they’d expect if they were in a theater.
For instance, a game developer may look to use a known story or aspects of one as part of their game design. They may use characters that are recognizable or can be associated with the theme of horror, thus giving players an immediate overview of what the game may entail. At the same time, they may use the sounds that can be found in the movies to build anticipation, suspense and tension in the same way to elevate the game design.
By introducing and incorporating these elements within the games that they create, players can obtain an authentic gameplay experience that matches their passion for horror-themed sessions. If they don’t receive the type of session they expect, they may find it difficult to continue playing the game as they aren’t as interested or as captured in the moment that the genre has been known to achieve for decades.
Horror’s psychological impact has been capitalized on by the online casino industry
Having already alluded to its impact on audiences, the online casino industry has been able to capitalize on the psychological impact that the horror genre can have on individuals.
As noted, developers have been able to use visuals and audio that can evoke certain emotions in players in the same way that films have. By doing so, they are giving players an immersive experience and one that enhances the chance of prolonged play.
Games can often incorporate scary sounds when bonus rounds are triggered or if a feature was close to being activated and it failed at the last moment (such as if a required symbol doesn’t appear on the final reel). These sounds can be unexpected by players who haven’t heard them before, while music can be used in the lead-up to build suspense and tension.
Indeed, the use of various sounds can have a psychological impact on an individual, as they may feel that they want more. Fast-paced and high-tempo music can boost a player’s adrenaline levels, which they may feel they need to satisfy. The only way they may find that they can achieve this is to keep playing until they get the desired result.
Horror’s popularity makes it easy for online casinos
Given the popularity that is experienced around the world regarding the horror theme and its instant recognition – whether by those who are fans or not of the theme – it has become an extremely easy genre for the online casino industry to take advantage of.
There are many features that can be replicated within gameplay that have already been experienced in movie form and have had the desired impact on the audience. With visuals rather easy to create and sounds that are easily identifiable with the theme, horror has become a popular niche for the online casino industry to copy and use as a source of inspiration.
It’s a theme that isn’t going to go anywhere anytime soon, either.