Marketisation Of Horror Gaming: Mascot Horror

The Marketisation Of Horror Gaming: Mascot Horror.

Horror as a genre has always been a niche, since like forever. Not everyone likes being scared, which makes it extremely hard for horror games specifically to earn as much money, as their, let's say, action counterparts. But when there is a will, there is a way, thus came the beauty of mascot horror. Personally, the most noticeable start to this subgenre, was the Slenderman game (that came out in 2011 I believe?). However, the biggest Mascot Horror, which in turn, started a strain of copy-cat games, is Five Nights at Freddie's.

The first game in the series has an interesting premise, where you are a security guard in a pizzeria, full of animatronics. The game is essentially a jump-scare simulator, but garnered so much attention from YouTubers, it became one of, if not the most, successful indie horror game of all time. Just months later, a sequel came out as well as several copycats trying to ride on its success. So why did it become so popular?

I would argue because of the main villains. You've probably seen the countless amounts of FNAF merchandise in stores, specifically the kid's section. To why that is, is because Mascot Horror is horror for kids. Originally, this might not have been the intent, but it's became increasingly obvious they know their target audience. It's gotten to the point, where indie horror games make merchandise before they even release the game, or even have a merch button in the game itself to take you to their store. (examples would include Poppy's Playtime, Bendy and the Ink Machine, etc..)

This attempt to gain FNAF's same success has really hurt indie horror in the long-term, as many games not relying on mascots are hidden. And to those reading, might be curious on my animosity towards these types of games. It's because I find them mostly to be uninventive, majorly consisting of the same general tropes: unkillable enemy which jumpscares you with loud noises and shaking of the screen; hiding simulator; and even down to the same "plot twist". The plot twist being, the often animalistic mascot have a human being encased within them.

I am yet to play a mascot horror that I have enjoyed, so I may be biased. Feel free to recommend one that actually does something new with the genre, but I wouldn't be surprised if I had to wait. 

Hey, thank you for reading if you got this far (it is quite short)! I'd love a discussion on this topic if you have any further thoughts. This is my first post, so please go easy on me! I'm definitely going to post more on horror games specifically, so stay tuned for stuff like, recommendations, analysis, and more specifically, Silent Hill! 

Mog.



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