There’s no worse feeling for a creative than to be labeled as a one-trick pony. It doesn’t matter how you excel at what you do but you’d like to be known for being someone who isn’t afraid explore outside your comfort zones. TWe could say the same for video game studios, and it appears that Frictional Games is feeling it.
Nearly two decades of exclusively making horror games has made the acclaimed Swedish developer, who’s best known for its unsettling survival horror titles like the Penumbra and Amnesia series, is reportedly planning a pivot away from the pure horror genre in their future games.
Frictional Games, the acclaimed Swedish developer known for its unsettling survival horror titles such as the Penumbra and Amnesia series, is reportedly planning a pivot away from the pure horror genre in their future games. The creative director and co-founder, Thomas Grip, shared these intentions in an interview, emphasizing that their prime objective has always been to deliver emotional investment and immersive gameplay, not solely fear.
“For future projects, I think we will cut back a bit on the horror aspects in order to give greater focus on other emotional qualities,” Grip shared.
Grip remains confident that their forthcoming games will still carry the unique Frictional charm but the goal is to associate their identity more with immersive gameplay, personal narratives, and a holistic vision – not just scaring the pants out of gamers.
The new direction proposed by Grip shouldn’t come as a total surprise for the fans, as previous works from the developer have shown a tendency to intertwine deep, emotional themes within their horror context. For instance, Amnesia: Rebirth dwelled on themes of motherhood, while SOMA explored philosophical questions about the definition of a human being.
Frictional Games has demonstrated an exceptional ability to balance engaging narratives, complex themes, and the horror genre in their previous titles. However, Grip believes that their storytelling capabilities can extend beyond the boundaries of horror, indicating that the narratives they want to share “could be told in another genre.”
Their recent release, Amnesia: The Bunker, remains true to the studio’s roots in fear-inducing gameplay. Set during World War 1, it follows the harrowing journey of protagonist Henri Clément, a soldier trapped with a monstrous entity. But, the monster’s behavior is affected by the choices players make, which increases the tension and immersion in their quest to evade death.
Grip also addressed Frictional’s status as an independent developer, expressing the studio doesn’t see itself “competing on a lower level” compared to large AAA studios. Despite their modest team size and development budgets, they aspire to “make the best experience in whatever genre” they choose, even if the space is crowded with games from AAA studios.
However, the shift away from horror might be a risky move for the studio that has built its reputation exclusively on survival horror games. Fans might see this genre shift as a deviation from the classic Frictional feel, potentially leading to alienation. Yet, it’s worth noting that several iconic franchises have successfully reinvented themselves over the years by transitioning to different genres.
The rumors are circling about Frictional’s next title, hinted to be a “bigger” sci-fi horror echoing the “kind of philosophical stuff” from SOMA.
With Grip leading this unannounced game, it’s exciting to ponder if this will be the first showcase of their transition from conventional horror.
As Frictional Games prepares to step into new territories, their commitment to crafting immersive narratives and emotional experiences remains their North Star. Even though the studio is dialing down on the horror, their storytelling prowess will be evident in its future games, irrespective of genre. The ratio of the spine-chilling to the “something else” in Frictional’s future endeavors remains a thrilling mystery. The only sure thing is that it will be an immersive journey worth anticipating.
Speaking of horror titles, fans of the genre have been eating well lately. After Dead Space and Resident Evil 4 earlier this year, Alan Wake 2 and Silent Hill 2 are expected to close out the year.
Ironically enough, Bloober Team, the developer of the remake of Silent Hill 2 wants to stay away from horror games as well.
