"Phasmophobia's Lead Developer Unintentionally Launches New Horror Genre Despite Initial Aversion"
A Tale of Phasmophobia: An Unexpected Fear-Fest
The first time my pals and I ventured into Phasmophobia was a memory I'll never erase. It was a riot, downright petrifying (still is), and ironically, the brainchild behind this spookfest wasn't much of a horror enthusiast. That's right! The man himself, Daniel Knight, the director and lead developer, confessed to my fellow journalist Andrea Shearon during an interview at Summer Game Fest, he wasn't exactly enamored with the horror genre.
"I couldn't pull off a co-op puzzle game," Knight admitted. "Or a co-op puzzle horror game. Frankly, I didn't aim to create a ghost-hunting game. It somehow wound up as a flawless fit."
But the man had a plan, a strategic blueprint. "My main aim was to craft a social co-op puzzle game where players collaborated to crack the puzzle. The horror was more of a bonus, a fortunate match."
Take a gander at the game, and it's apparent that Knight's immediate focus on team collaboration and puzzle-solving certainly shines through. The experience is an intriguing mix of adrenaline-pumping suspense and heart-wrenching drama as the group strives to determine the spectral intruder plaguing their investigations.
From frantically poring over spectral readings and testing environmental factors to debating and deliberating with fellow investigators, the essence of puzzling remains ever-present, cloaked in the shadows of a creepy house ready to prod and unsettle.
Remember that fateful night we spent in the ominous halls of Brownstone High School? We were certain the ghost was holed up on the ground floor by the stairs. Despite scouring the area for any tangible evidence, we found ourselves embroiled in a heated debate - half of us convinced the spectral menace wasn't lurking there at all. Little did we know, our trusty EMF Reader and Sound Sensor were stealthily directing us towards the room directly above, leading to a harrowing encounter with an unexpected specter.
So you see, a horror game crafted by someone who doesn't go ga-ga for the genre? It's an intriguing proposition, to say the least. "I don't bother with horror games," Knight shared. Although under pressure, he did admit to dipping his toes into the Content Warning waves from time to time.
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Elie GouldPassionate about horror games, Elie Gould is no stranger to fluttering hearts and cold sweats - even though they elbow-deep detest being chased. When not startled out of their wits, Elie is busy testing their mettle in metroidvanias or marveling at their Pokémon TCG collection. With a past as a staff writer at TechRadar Gaming and a degree in International Journalism and Documentaries from JOMEC, Elie has also dedicated their free time to filming short docs about Smash Bros. and indie games.
- "To our surprise, Phasmophobia's creator, Daniel Knight, confessed during an interview at Summer Game Fest that he isn't a typical horror enthusiast, yet he managed to craft an internationally acclaimed scary game."
- "As we embarked on our ghost-hunting adventure in Brownstone High School, we discovered that even someone who doesn't typically enjoy horror games can create an exhilarating and terrifying experience."
- "If you're wary about betting on a horror game developed by someone who doesn't usually enjoy the genre, take Phasmophobia as a testament to the possibilities when creativity and unexpected passions meet the entertainment world."
