Summary
Since the late 2010’s, several iconic horror films and characters have been adapted into the world of video games within the asymmetrical multiplayer horror genre. This ranges from 2017’sFriday the 13th: The Gametothe recently releasedKiller Klowns from Outer Space: The Game. Throughout these games, players embody the horrifying killers as they prowl maps inspired by classic film locations to track down and kill struggling survivors. Meanwhile, other players often have to work together to craft items, repair damaged communications outlets, or gather weapons to attempt to escape. However, there’s still one well-renowned horror series that hasn’t had an asymmetrical horror game of its own: theScreamfranchise.
For nearly 28 years, audiences worldwide have been terrified by the endless suspense of theScreammovies and their iconic Ghostface killers. Beginning in 1996,Screamfocuses primarily on the life of Syndney Prescott and her friends as their families’ histories cause enemies to don the Ghostface mask to gain revenge and killer fame. However, in each film, the identity of Ghostface remains a mystery, with any of the films’ cast of characters potentially being the new primarily knife-wielding killer. While the silhouette and mask of Ghostface appear in each of the six films, new characters always embody the killer in each subsequent film.
The Potential of a Scream Horror Game
The History and Tropes of Ghostface
Ghostface is known for being a relatively realistic slasher, as compared to the nearly invincible Jason Voorhees fromFriday the 13thorthe comedic, supernatural Freddy Krueger fromNightmare on ElmStreet. Ghostfaces can be hurt and have been killed in every film entry to date. That’s not to say they aren’t as dangerous as other slashers, however. Each Ghostface uses their hidden identity to manipulate their targets and use their surroundings and available weapons to torment their prey. From garage doors to under-the-counter shotguns, anything can be used by Ghostface to complete their goal.
How a Scream Horror Game Could Play
A potentialScreamasymmetrical multiplayer gamecould play similarly to others in the genre but with aScreamtwist. In most maps, two players could play as hidden Ghostfaces, while six others play as random characters from the films, such as Sam Carpenter or Dewey Riley. The two Ghostfaces could appear to be normal people at first but could change into Ghostface when they’re about to make a kill, similar to mechanics inDeceitorAmong Us. Since Ghostfaces have been known to work as a team, the two may also be able to see each other’s perspective or at least hear what they’re doing over a radio to better coordinate.
The non-Ghostface players could work together to look for clues to try and determine which player is the killer or search maps for potential weapons or traps. Meanwhile, the Ghostfaces could intermittently speak to all players with Ghostface’s iconic Roger L. Jackson voice to taunt them while hiding their identities. In certain areas of the map, both the survivors or the Ghostfaces could initiate specific animations to kill a killer or a survivor. These could recreate iconic kills such as Stu Macher’s famous death by TV inScream 1, similar to how Jason Voorhees players could recreateiconic kills in certain areas ofFriday the 13th: The Game.
In 2023, rumors appeared of Supermassive Games developing aScreamvideo game similar toUntil DawnorThe Quarry.
Map Options and Ghostface Appearances in Other Games
Each map ina potentialScreamhorror gamecould be based on some of the famous films’ locations. For example, one map could be the Macher house and another could be the Windsor College theater. To add variety to the gameplay, certain maps could change how many players could play as Ghostface in a match.
While no asymmetrical multiplayerScreamvideo game has ever been made yet, Ghostface has appeared in other games in the genre. In 2019, Ghostface joined other iconic film slashers in becoming aplayable killer inDead by Daylight. Unlike other film slashers inDead by Daylight. However, this Ghostface is an original character not seen in theScreammovies, called Danny Johnson. AScream-specific game could draw inspiration from this iteration of Ghostface, while expanding the killer’s tools to create gameplay more reminiscent of the films.
Scream
The Scream movie and TV franchise began with the release of the first film in 1996. Directed by horror master Wes Craven and written by Kevin Williamson, the deconstruction of slasher movies was an instant cultural, critical, and financial hit. Neve Campbell, who plays ongoing final girl Sidney Prescott, has become a horror icon in her own right, along with Ghostface, the only horror villain whose identity is always changing. Nearly three decades later, the Scream franchise shows no signs of slowing down.
