TerrorBytes: The Evolution of Horror Gaming

We explore the survival horror genre, examining the early titles like 3D Monster Maze and Sweet Home, its explosive popularity in the 90s - where titles like Alone in the Dark, Resident Evil, and Silent Hill captured the imagination of the masses - and its legacy and enduring popularity today.

We explore the weird and wonderful world of licensed Horror games, including the early Halloween and Texas Chainsaw Massacre games on the Atari 2600 and the brilliant Alien: Isolation, as well as the growing popularity of licensed characters in games like Dead by Daylight.

From the surreal and unique to the kitsch and campy, we explore the rise and fall of full-motion video horror games, celebrating Night Trap, The 7th Guest, and Sierra On-Line classics Phantasmagoria and Gabriel Knight, before examining the genre’s surprising rebirth over the past decade.

We shine a light on indie development in horror gaming, from breakout hits like Five Nights at Freddy’s and Amnesia to the many unique and one-of-a-kind experiences like Iron Lung, Lost in Vivo, and FAITH: The Unholy Trinity.

In our final episode we dive down the rabbit hole of controversy and explore the games - like Doom, Manhunt, and Rule of Rose - that people wanted banned. Along the way, we’ll also take a look at the unusual world of “cursed” games, including urban legends and creepypastas like Polybius and Ben Drowned.