I have to admit that I don’t understand the cultural fascination with what we used to call video games.I know they’re tremendously popular and the rights for gaming bring in even more royalties than sold movie rights do.I just don’t get it.Still, Hart explores how horror has become a very popular element in the gaming community.Not only that but on the internet many young people like watching videos of other people playing games.I’m sorry, but I’m just not that meta.If I want to get lost in other worlds I read a book.Or watch a movie.And this is where Hart’s book shines.His read on horror films is fresh and compelling.
Recently I had a conversation (virtual, of course) with some colleagues about the horror genre.The topic of horror games came up.I had to sit that part out.I commended Hart’s book though.For me time is too valuable to immerse myself into worlds where options are limited by some programmer’s imagination.Movies will take a couple hours of your time.If well done they’ll remain in your head for hours or days, interacting with other thoughts and experiences, and perhaps even inspiring the viewer.If horror isn’t your thing, I get that.I do have to say that the genre as grown up, and as Hart points out toward the end of his study, academy recognition of a couple of horror films in 2017 bodes well for the future of a genre that seems more and more applicable every day.And when horror comes to town we’re going to need some able guides.