Game perception: scariness!
I am guilty of snooping for info on the upcoming game, (unfortunately I can’t share much with you) and looking through some semi-finished art for an environment got me thinking about how we perceive the games.
My current thoughts are what makes the games scary. Personally, I find the music and sound effects the most influential in the scariness of a game. The occasional squeak of a hanging sign or falling rock or swishing leaf makes me feel like I’m not alone. Dark spaces with spooky lights is another biggie, and of course, the monster animations and “boo!” moments are always an awesome touch. Does anyone else feel jumpy and jittery when Nancy is going through restricted areas or snooping in the dark? I love the feeling that I could get caught at any moment! How about thunderstorms and rain showers like in the intro to Message in a Haunted Mansion or the entirety of Legend of the Crystal Skull? Do you think the weather is a big enough factor to add to the scariness of the atmosphere?
This was something I found interesting, and depending on what you like in a game can mean a world of difference to how scary you think this next one will be!
Ooh, don’t forget to check out the new wallpaper from The Secret of Shadow Ranch that’s up, and be sure to try to solve and enter into the “Missing iPad” contest that we’ve got going on!
Congrats to you sharp sleuths who solved last week’s puzzle! For those of you who are curious, here’s the solve:
Puzzle: AOA OFX SKR PYM
Keyword: Clue
Solution:
1. Give each letter in the word “Clue” a number according to alphabetic order between itself. C=1, E=2, L=3, U=4.
2. Place the sets of letters (in puzzle) in columns
A O S P
O F K Y
A X R M
3. Arrange those columns in the order “Clue” is. Example: SKR which is in the third column belongs under “L” because “L” is the third in alphabetic order in “Clue”.
4. Read the message columns left to right.
ASPO
OKYF
ARMX
(“X” is not counted in the read. “X” does not mean anything.)
Answer:
A Spooky Farm.
~Little Jackalope~