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‘Horror Is Always at Its Strongest When Something Bad Is Happening to the World’ – Boss of Silent Hill Remake Dev Bloober Reveals the Secret to His Studio’s Success
Bloober Team chief executive Piotr Babieno says horror resonates most when people are already facing upheaval, as fears about conflict, climate change and economic pressures can make frightening stories feel especially potent. He says this helps explain the genre’s current popularity, though he is unhappy that its success may reflect a world in poor shape.
The Polish studio has focused on horror since releasing Layers of Fear in 2016 and has built a reputation for both original games and adaptations. Its 2024 Silent Hill 2 remake has sold more than five million copies, and Bloober has seven horror games at various stages of development. The article also points to wider success across film, games and television, including Resident Evil Requiem’s 8.5 million sales.
In short
- Bloober’s CEO links horror’s strength to real-world anxiety.
- The studio has seven horror games in development.
- Its Silent Hill 2 remake has sold over five million copies.
Steelman: both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
When people are already worried about conflict, climate change or financial insecurity, horror can give those fears a vivid, contained form. Its popularity may reflect the genre’s ability to help audiences explore anxiety and find catharsis, while strong sales suggest that studios are responding to genuine interest.
The case against
A surge in horror’s popularity need not mean that people’s real-world distress is driving it; successful franchises, skilled creators and effective marketing may explain much of the demand. And even if upheaval makes frightening stories feel more resonant, treating troubled times as an opportunity for commercial growth can sit uneasily with concern for those living through them.
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