Why do people even play horror games, which are so terrifying and stressful? Let's take a look at the psychology behind it!
Horror games seem paradoxical – full of fear and panic, they don’t exactly scream “fun” at first glance. Yet, so many people keep going back to games like Silent Hill, Resident Evil, and Little Nightmares. So, why do we actually pay to get scared?
Why do people play horror games?
To figure this out, we need to look at human psychology, starting with Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs. This model shows our basic needs, like air, food, and water, all the way up to things like safety, love, and personal fulfillment. It suggests that once we’ve taken care of our basic needs, we aim for emotional security and well-being.
When we play games like Valorant or World of Warcraft, we’re usually chilling in a safe place—whether it’s on the couch, in bed, or at a desk. In those moments, gaming taps into higher needs like socializing and feeling accomplished. But horror games? They break all those rules. They're something else entirely.
Patrick Rose, a Games Researcher and Product Analyst, who specializes in human motivation, was once asked by a student why people enjoy horror games. He realized that traditional motivation models couldn’t explain it. He then made a key connection to Maslow's Pyramid: in horror games, we don’t stay at the top, where safety is guaranteed – we drop to the bottom.
Imagine sneaking through the dark in The Last of Us, hearing the unsettling sounds of a Clicker. Despite being physically safe, your mind is tricked into thinking you're in danger, throwing you to the lowest level of Maslow’s pyramid – where survival is all that matters.
This false sense of danger in horror games triggers the brain’s instinct to seek safety. Games like Resident Evil and Little Nightmares are designed to offer moments of relief, like safe rooms or friendly characters, allowing players to regain their sense of security—only to lose it again moments later.
So, why do we enjoy horror games?
Patrick Rose and others believe it’s the adrenaline rush that keeps us coming back. After enduring fear, the brain releases a mix of adrenaline and endorphins. This "kick" is similar to the thrill of riding a rollercoaster or facing a fear. It’s the satisfaction of overcoming danger that becomes addictive.
In essence, horror games provide a constant cycle of fear and relief, tapping into a deeper psychological reward system. This thrill of surviving and overcoming terror is what makes these games so compelling.
Next time you're playing a horror game, remember: you’re not just enduring fear – you’re conquering it, and that’s what keeps you hooked.