Just why do people enjoy content that makes their skin crawl and keeps them up at night? Horror fans know there are many answers to this question. First and foremost, there’s no genre in entertainment that offers the same level of thrill. Second, horror content might even make some people feel comforted. It’s literally a neuro-chemical process, as getting a little spooked can cause the brain to release endorphins and dopamine.

Still, it’s a bit surreal to see ghastly movie posters at bus stops and see long lines outside of haunted house adventures. Though horror is now a known quantity within entertainment and one that’s rising in popularity, it remains one of the most complex and nuanced genres in the world. And it’s proliferating quickly.

Let’s take a closer look at some of the most impactful new horror projects beyond the world of film and television, including games and podcasting.

Horror Games Great & Small
Even as early as the 1990s, game franchises like Silent Hill and Resident Evil were making waves in the gaming world. Both shooter games combined elements of survival, horror, and strategy. They combined psychological thrills with heavy violence, similar to gory shooters like DOOM.

But these major hits were soon followed up by a diverse range of smaller, imaginative projects. PT is a great example; this 2014 hit was created just to help advertise a Silent Hill remake. Others, like 2010’s Amnesia: Dark Descent, flew under the radar but have since become cult hits for horror fans.

Even the realm of casino games has been influenced by the horror genre. Some of the best projects are slots from popular releases, including Paranormal Activity and the Halloween franchise. Others focus on creatures like vampires and werewolves. Horror-themed slots aside, another new trend is the rise of live casino games. Using a live video link and chat features, remote players are able to interact with real-life dealers.

The experience is highly popular thanks to its immersive element. Already, a variety of live casino themes have emerged. Horror isn’t one of them—but that could change in the future based on player interest. As we’ve seen throughout entertainment, there’s clearly a growing interest in all things horror.

True Crime & the Paranormal Leave an Imprint
Let’s shift to focus on one of the most widespread new forms of horror entertainment: real-world crossovers and mysteries. Over the last decade, true crime topics have soared in popularity. Millions watch documentary series and listen to podcasts about grizzly happenings. The horror genre has been equally influenced by these interests.

Horror fans might be thinking about ‘found footage’ hits like the Blair Witch Project (1999) and Paranormal Activity (2007), which blend elements of realism with pure horror. Let’s be clear: true crime is usually distinct from horror. The former is based on real events, while the latter can take all types of freedom to craft a truly terrifying story.

Still, they do intersect in certain ways. Dozens of horror projects have borrowed from real-life events—especially when it comes to tales that involve alleged hauntings. 1973’s The Exorcist is a prime example, along with more recent hits like 2003’s Open Water and 2013’s The Conjuring. The Amityville Horror, for example, perfectly blends all three. The tale covers the grisly ending of an alleged haunting in Long Island in the mid-1970s.

These types of projects are designed to put the audience into the shoes of an armchair detective. What really happened in these partly true, partly fictionalized events? And what would spectators do if they were placed into the shoes of the characters involved? Rather than answers, it seems that viewers want their horror served up with a few unanswered questions.