Can an MMORPG build up such tension like a horror game?
After downloading and playing the demo of System Shock, two scenes stood out in my memory: Once at the reception door. You hear knocking and moaning from the other side, and when you enter the code to open the door, a zombie jumps at you. Later, you climb a ladder to an area of the space station where the lights are off, and you have to find the switch while hearing eerie noises and knowing that some enemies are lurking in the dark.
Dense Atmosphere
These two scenes already show where the reboot of System Shock is headed. A dense, exciting atmosphere is created that captivates you in front of the monitor. This made me wonder if such scenes would also work in an MMORPG. Let’s take the space station of System Shock as an example. What if you didn’t wake up alone in the chamber, but you were just one of many others? Sneaking through dark corridors while others run past you and turn on the light switch could ruin the mood. Just like hearing the knocking and moaning from the door and a passing player opening it.
Are the Players the Problem?
Building such an atmosphere in an MMORPG is at best difficult. In instances where you are with a few selected players, that could be possible. But then the massively multiplayer aspect would be gone. It would be more of a cooperative adventure. You often read that a problem with MMORPGs is the other players. And it is partly true that other players can ruin the atmosphere. Partly intentionally, partly accidentally.
If you are exploring an ancient crypt where the undead walk, you don’t want to see “Leetmasta327” with pink bunny ears and a bare upper body hopping by, shouting, “Hey, there’s a ghost waiting around the next corner, but there’s cool loot for it!”
MMORPGs showcase their strengths in other areas. Team play when completing a raid and defeating a boss enemy. Generally, the feeling of acting in a world populated by humans. Having friends with you when completing quests or having the opportunity to build a virtual life in the game world by constructing a house and crafting items for others.
What do you think? Do you believe that horror elements can be realized with a dense atmosphere in an MMORPG?
Stay in your Lane
Building horror elements and a dense atmosphere in an MMORPG may not be impossible, but it is not easy to implement either. There are other genres that handle this better, but sacrifice the aspect of team play. Fortunately, we gamers have the choice of what we want to play and what we are currently in the mood for.
