Convergence in Horror Film Industry: Video Games (1/19-1/23)

     A video game based on the horror film, "Silent Hill", is set to be released in 2016 since it is still in the early stages of the development process (and will be accessible for PS4 users) by series creator Hideo Kojima and director Guillermo del Toro. Playable teasers and gaming-experience trailers have been used as a marketing strategy for the developers; nevertheless, user anticipation has been targeted through this. The game also features the one of the lead characters from ABC's The Walking Dead, Daryl Dixon. Demos have been available to PC and console gamers as well; and by providing this Kojima has said, "...its marketing value of driving up talk forSilent Hills has undoubtedly been achieved."
     The plot of the game opens with the player waking to dimly lit room and there is a never-ending loop of being trapped in these series of areas within the house. The insanity-inducing gaming experience has the character walking through a hallway and descending into a cellar, which results in being back in the first room which he awoke from. As observed by "Tech Times", "To progress, players had to look for or create the right trigger, which would lead to another go at the loop but with some things different."

Below is a link to the playable teaser:
http://youtu.be/Ay_RAkE7bUY

Not only is convergence across different types of media crucial to the profit margins of the beneficiaries, but experimenting with it gives way to reaching new audiences or connecting better to already established viewerships. Those who follow horror film series such as Silent Hill, can be excited to experience the plot line of the movie on an even more frightening platform. By releasing teasers and trailers for the it, creators have enabled users to become part of a favored horror film, which in turn locks in another type of audience preference that companies can cater their marketing and/or distribution towards.

Mamlit, A. (2014, August 20). Silent Hill PT for PS4 released: It's scary but it won't be out until 

     2016. Retrieved January 19, 2015, from www.techtimes.com website: http://www.techtimes.com/ 

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