Horror game enthusiasts are in for a surprising twist. Bloober Team, the studio behind the much-anticipated Silent Hill 2 remake, is forging a new path. In a recent revelation during a chat with Engadget, the studio CEO, Piotr Babieno, pronounced the end of their journey in creating psychological horror games and announced their ambitious venture into the realm of "mass-market horror."
In a bid to bid adieu to the era of psychological horror, Bloober Team released Layers of Fear, a remake of the fan-loved original Layers of Fear games. Utilizing Unreal Engine 5, this launch signifies a tonal shift, marking the transition from suspenseful, narrative-driven walking simulators to more immersive, action-centric horror games. The company views this move as an approach to attracting a broader audience.
Unveiling their future strategy, Babieno candidly admitted that in their previous games, they focused on the story, mood, and aesthetic elements such as graphics and music, paying considerably less attention to gameplay mechanics. But the times are changing, and so is Bloober. As it evolves into "Bloober Team 3.0", players can expect a stronger emphasis on gameplay mechanics in their future offerings.
As the first exemplification of the studio's new mantra, the Silent Hill 2 remake will be the harbinger of the "mass-market horror" era. Moving away from an environment or storytelling-based gameplay, Bloober Team 3.0 will introduce its unique ideas through action-oriented titles. This dramatic shift in their design philosophy is expected to lead to bigger games that are not only engaging but also captivating in their own terrifying way.
In conclusion, the transition of Bloober Team from a psychological to a mass-market horror game developer is an exciting development for the gaming industry and horror game fans alike. Although the switch from atmospheric and eerie gameplay to more action-based mechanics may spark skepticism, the success of Layers of Fear points to promising possibilities. So, as we wait for Bloober Team 3.0's debut with the Silent Hill 2 remake, let's embrace the shift and anticipate the spine-chilling tremors the new era of horror games will bring.