Creating fear: A study on design elements used in horror games

Technology refers to the application of scientific knowledge, tools and techniques to solve problems in a practical way, improve existing solutions, and create new products or processes. It covers a wide range of fields, including electronics, software, biotechnology, defense and even the entertainment industry. One of the biggest contributions of technology to the entertainment industry has been video games. Video games, which have their roots in the cinema industry and are fed by it, are enjoyed by millions of people of all ages around the world. The two industries are increasingly intertwined, with many video games being made into movies and vice versa. Over time, the interactive experience of video games combined with the cinematic storytelling of movies, resulting in the creation of new forms of entertainment. Video games are electronic games played on a computer, console or mobile device that involve player interaction and participation. Video games have evolved significantly since their earliest examples were introduced in the 1950s and have quickly become an immensely popular form of entertainment. There are several genres of video games, including action, adventure, role-playing, simulation, sports, and puzzle games. One of the most popular of these genres is horror games. With the development of technology, quality graphics, animations and visual effects have started to be used in games, and it has played a very important role in contributing to the visual design in general. Visual design has become an indispensable part of games. Although it is effective in all game genres, the games in which the effect and contribution of visual design are felt the most are horror games. Dark, atmospheric environments, creepy and disturbing images, effective use of lighting and shadows are commonly used in horror games to create a tense and unpredictable atmosphere. Sound design is also an important part of design in horror games, as spooky sound effects and haunting soundtracks can further enhance the sense of fear and tension. Overall, visual design is a very important element in horror games and helps to create a chilling and immersive experience that players can remember for a long time even after they have finished playing. The focus of the study has been to prove the place of design elements in video games and their importance for games by examining horror games that rely on these elements to create the desired effect. In this context, in the first part of the study, the effect of design elements on competition in the gaming industry was investigated. The importance of the study was emphasized and sub-objectives were determined. In the second part, a literature review was made about the historical process of cinema and video technology, which forms the basis of video games, from its emergence to the present and the relationship between these three sectors was examined. In the third chapter, the development process from the first simple video games to today's hyper-realistic games and the history of horror games were examined, and the reasons for playing these games were investigated. In the fourth section, video game development stages and design elements were investigated and in the fifth section, these elements were examined in terms of horror games. In the sixth chapter, the design elements mentioned throughout the study were examined on two selected horror games. Their contribution to the games and their importance for the games were revealed. A survey was conducted to get the thoughts and opinions of the players and 128 people participated in the survey. 21 questions were asked to the participants, the results of the survey and its evaluation are included in the seventh section. In the last part, the study was concluded by making inferences from the information obtained and the results of the survey. The study includes atmosphere (sound, light, environment), character design, cutscenes and color usage in horror games; reveals its great effect in creating the feeling of fear. With this study, it is aimed to prove the importance of design elements to developers and designers in the game industry and to contribute to their games. Keywords: Design Elements, Horror Games, Character, Atmosphere, Cutscene