Horror Video Games: Essays on the Fusion of Fear and Play [Paperback]

Bernard Perron (Author, Editor)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0786441976 | ISBN-13: 978-0786441976 | Publication Date: October 15, 2009

In this in-depth critical and theoretical analysis of the horror genre in video games, 14 essays explore the cultural underpinnings of horror's allure for gamers and the evolution of "survival" themes. The techniques and story effects of specific games such as Resident Evil, Call of Cthulhu, and Silent Hill are examined individually.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Bernard Perron is an associate professor of cinema at the University of Montreal. He has co-edited two video game theory books, and written a book-length analysis of the video game series Silent Hill, as well as articles and papers on various aspects of horror video games and interactive cinema.

Product Details

• Paperback: 310 pages
• Publisher: McFarland (October 15, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786441976
• ISBN-13: 978-0786441976
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 4.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,261,856 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars meh, February 1, 2011

By 

C. Bishop "Keep em busy mom" (NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Horror Video Games: Essays on the Fusion of Fear and Play (Kindle Edition)

it doesnt even sound like these people have even touched a game in there lives, if there going to write something about horror games at least play one

1 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Very dry and dull, November 28, 2009

By 

N. Hobson - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Horror Video Games: Essays on the Fusion of Fear and Play (Paperback)

I am an avid fan of horror movies and games, and was very much looking forward to this book. I was hoping for some insight into what it is that makes them so fascinating to me, and examples from games to expand on these insights. Although this does exist (at times) in the book at a certain level, it is so high and dry, so boring and dull that it could not hold my interest. Many terms and studies were referred to that I am not familiar with, and therefore unable to relate to. I stopped reading full pages and just scanned them about one quarter of the way through the book, and then just gave up all together soon after. If anyone else has read this book and found that the later chapters or articles were more interesting, please let me know.

This seems more like a book written for other researchers than a book written for fans (and in this case, may be a good reference for students). For me, there are far more interesting articles to be read in magazines and online; I was just hoping this would be a book that collected some of them together. Disappointing - especially considering the $30 price tag for a paperback book.