Don't Scream is an upcoming indie survival horror game, designed by British video game designer Joe Henson.[1] The game became popular when it released for early access on 27 October 2023.[2]

Don't Scream
Designer(s)Joe Henson
Engine
Genre(s)Survival horror
Mode(s)Single-player

Gameplay edit

Don't Scream is 18 minutes long; time only moves in the game when the player moves.[3] The game is set in a forest in 1993, near the site of what appears to be a plane crash. The game is played from the perspective of a camcorder, which the protagonist is assumed to be carrying.[4] The player can choose different paths which will lead to either a homestead, a farm, a mini-mart, or a cemetery. There are random encounters of ghostly spirits that haunt the forest who will attempt to scare the player. The player character dies if they scream or make a loud noise; the game allows this mechanic to function by accessing players' microphones, with their consent.[5][6] Players can restart when they die.[7]

Development edit

Joe Henson, who designed and developed the game, said that "The rise of PlayStation-esque visuals in a lot of indie horror titles is a testament to how undefined visuals can increase the fear factor." Henson added that the "loss of details plays into our imagination".[8]

References edit

  1. ^ Stuart, Keith (October 31, 2023). "Little monsters: why indie developers make the best horror games". The Guardian. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  2. ^ "Early access release date set for an immersive, microphone-required horror indie game "Don't Scream"". PC Invasion. 2023-10-24. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  3. ^ Wood, Martin (2023-10-19). "Don't Scream's Titular Premise Leans on Player Accountability". Game Rant. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  4. ^ McCaffrey, Ryan (2023-10-13). "Don't Scream, a '90s Found-Footage Horror Game, Announced". IGN India. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  5. ^ "Viral horror game requires a microphone and has a brutal game over condition - you die if you scream". Yahoo Entertainment. 2023-10-16. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  6. ^ Macgregor, Jody (2023-10-15). "If you scream while playing Don't Scream you have to restart the game". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  7. ^ Lewis, Catherine (2023-10-16). "Psychological horror game Don't Scream challenges you to play for 18 minutes without screaming, and you'll be forced to restart if you do". TechRadar. Retrieved 2023-11-01.
  8. ^ Stuart, Keith (2023-10-31). "Little monsters: why indie developers make the best horror games". The Guardian. ISSN 0261-3077. Retrieved 2024-04-26.