This year’s Summer Game Fest was a big deal. Some of the most anticipated projects that were unveiled at the event were the first six projects of Blumhouse Games. Jason Blum, the creative force behind some of the freakiest horror titles, made a splash as he took to the stage, promising a blend of innovative storytelling and spine-chilling gameplay.
He made it to the box office with Paranormal Activity and Get Out. But will his gaming venture now captivate the gaming audience in the same way possible?
From the Silver Screen to Gaming at Blumhouse Games, with Awesome Reveal at Summer Game Fest 2024
Blum’s approach to horror, of making high-concept movies filled with jump scares, horrific traps, and unique effects with a low budget, has gripped the genre of horror films until now. His vision remains the same for Blumhouse Games.
In an interview with IGN last September, he said,
The strategy for the company is to do the same thing with games that we do with movies: look for original, low-budget things that could be turned into games. More likely, we’d take a game that worked and make a movie out of it. In the medium and long term, who knows?
His six new games that got unveiled at the Summer Game Fest 2024 are all low-cost productions: Sleep Awake from Eyes Out, Fear the Spotlight from Cozy Game Pals, Crisol Theater of Idols from Vermila Studios, The Simulation from Playmestudio, Grave Seasons from Perfect Garbage, and Project C from Sam Barlow and Brandon Cronenberg.
However, scepticism remains. Transitioning from film to games is no small feat, and the gaming community is notoriously discerning. Some fans took to X to voice their doubts.
Jason Blum is a great horror creative. Although I haven't been a fan of all of Blumhouse's movies, you can tell the guy is passionate about trying to get into games.
— storm (@stormtalksgames) June 7, 2024
This frenzy is not out of the box, as the success of horror gaming grounds heavily on interactivity and virtual immersion, fundamentally different from film elements. Another movie-turned video games franchise, Star Wars, received a thrilling trailer at SGF.
In films, the audience is a passive observer, whereas in virtual gaming, the player is an active participant whose choices and actions drive the narrative forward. The ability to create a compelling and immersive horror experience that leverages this interactivity is crucial.
Overtaking Current Trends in Horror Gaming?
Blumhouse Games’ debut at the event is a bold step into uncharted territory. A lot of gamers actually like the current installments in the company’s movie lineup.
While the initial lineup of games shows promise and creativity, only time will tell if Blumhouse can truly replicate its cinematic success in the gaming arena. The gaming community watches with bated breath, intrigued by the potential but wary of the challenges ahead. Can Blumhouse Games scare and thrill gamers as effectively as it has done with movie audiences?
If Blumhouse’s history is any indication, the answer might just be a resounding yes. What did you think of Blumhouse Games’s announcements at Summer Game Fest? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
