John Carpenter, the legendary director behind the 1978 horror classic Halloween, is returning to the franchise with a new twist: video games. Teaming up with Boss Team, the developers known for the 2022 Evil Dead game, Carpenter will help create two horror games based on the Halloween series.
These games promise to bring the iconic slasher film to life in interactive form, allowing players to experience key moments from the movie and control classic characters.
Details about the games are still limited, but it’s been revealed that one of the titles is being developed in Unreal Engine 5 and is currently in the early stages of production. This suggests that the project is ambitious and likely to be a major release.
Given the current trend in horror gaming, it is speculated that one of these games might be an asymmetrical multiplayer game, where players take on the roles of either the killer or the survivors.
The challenge for the developers will be to create a game that distinguishes itself from other similar horror titles, especially considering the existence of the Friday The 13th game. Both Halloween and Friday The 13th feature masked killers stalking victims, so finding a unique gameplay hook will be essential for making the Halloween game stand out.
The differences between the settings—suburban neighborhoods in Halloween versus summer camps in Friday The 13th—might help, but a deeper innovation is likely needed.
Asymmetrical horror games have been thriving recently by introducing unique mechanics and concepts. For example, the Evil Dead game features a demon that can possess multiple entities, while The Texas Chain Saw Massacre focuses on a family of killers rather than just one. The Halloween game will need a similar distinctive feature to capture players’ attention and differentiate itself from other horror games.
One major reason for optimism is John Carpenter’s involvement. Unlike other creators of horror franchises who have taken a backseat in game development, Carpenter is an avid gamer himself and is said to be “intimately involved” in the creation of these games. His deep understanding of both horror and gaming could bring a unique and authentic touch to the project, potentially making it stand out in a crowded genre.
Finally, with the Friday The 13th game facing legal challenges and shutdowns, there’s an opportunity for the Halloween game to fill the void left by its absence. Even if the Halloween game shares some similarities with its predecessor, the combination of Carpenter’s vision and a fresh take on the gameplay could result in a compelling new entry in the asymmetrical horror genre.
