Embracing the Thrill: Exploring the Intersection of Horror, Video Games, and Literature

Emily, a passionate book enthusiast, holds a PhD in English from the University of Southern Mississippi and an MFA in Creative Writing from GCSU in Milledgeville, Georgia, the hometown of renowned author Flannery O'Connor. In her free time, she indulges in a variety of hobbies, including reading, watching horror movies and musicals, cuddling cats, sharing cat-related content on Instagram, and collaborating with fellow book lovers on the #BookSquadGoals blog and podcast.

Unleashing the Chills: A Thrilling Exploration of Horror in Literature and Beyond

Confronting the Terrors of Video Games

As a self-proclaimed horror aficionado, Emily has a deep appreciation for the genre, eagerly consuming horror novels and films. However, when it comes to horror video games, she finds herself hesitant to dive in, acknowledging the unique challenge of immersing oneself directly into the heart of the terror. "Something about putting myself right there in the horror story is just a little too much for me to handle," she confesses. While Emily may shy away from the visceral experience of playing horror video games, she has discovered a delightful alternative – exploring horror-themed novels that delve into the world of video games.

Embracing the Darkness: Exploring Horror-Inspired Literature

In celebration of Video Games Day, Emily has curated a selection of horror-themed literary works that offer a thrilling and immersive experience for readers. These titles seamlessly blend the chilling elements of horror with the captivating world of video games, providing a unique and engaging reading experience for fans of both genres.

Resident Evil: Embracing the Iconic Franchise

One such example is the Resident Evil franchise, a beloved and iconic series that has captivated horror enthusiasts for decades. While Emily may not be brave enough to delve into the games themselves, she has found enjoyment in exploring the Resident Evil universe through the lens of literature. The Umbrella Corporation Bookmark by 1WhiteOakPress allows fans to showcase their affinity for the Resident Evil franchise, serving as a tangible representation of their connection to the thrilling world of the games.

Carmilla: A Queer, Feminist Reimagining

Another intriguing literary offering is the graphic novel series Carmilla: The Last Vampire Hunter by Amy Chu and Soo Lee. This reimagining of the classic Carmilla tale transports the story to contemporary times, infusing it with a queer, feminist perspective. In the second volume, readers follow vampire hunter Athena Lo as she travels to San Francisco's Chinatown to uncover more about her past, blending the timeless horror elements with a modern, diverse narrative.

Dystopian Horrors: Exploring the Terrors of Pink Slime

Venturing beyond the realm of video game-inspired horror, Emily also highlights the dystopian horror novel Pink Slime by Fernanda Trías. This chilling work, recently translated from its original Spanish publication in Uruguay, presents a world ravaged by an algae bloom that poisons the air. As the city succumbs to this plague, a secretive corporation emerges as the sole provider of the only affordable food source – a mysterious and unsettling "pink slime." This thought-provoking tale delves into the horrors of corporate control and environmental devastation, offering a haunting and unsettling reading experience.

Erebos: The Manipulative Power of Video Games

Delving deeper into the intersection of horror and video games, Emily spotlights the novel Erebos by Ursula Poznanski. This work, originally published in German and later translated, follows the story of 16-year-old Nick, who receives a peculiar computer game called Erebos. The game's secretive nature and the ominous consequences of disobeying its rules create a chilling and suspenseful narrative, exploring the manipulative power of video games and the unseen forces that may be at play.

Zero Lives Remaining: Trapped in the Arcade

Rounding out her recommendations, Emily highlights Adam Cesare's novel Zero Lives Remaining, which draws inspiration from the thrilling world of arcade games. In this supernatural horror tale, readers are introduced to Robby Asaro, a ghost residing within an arcade game. When Robby sets out to protect a patron named Tiffany Park, he inadvertently triggers a supernatural disaster, trapping Tiffany and her friends inside the once-safe haven of the arcade, now transformed into a place of mass murder and peril.Through these diverse literary offerings, Emily invites readers to explore the captivating intersection of horror, video games, and literature. From the iconic Resident Evil franchise to the thought-provoking dystopian nightmare of Pink Slime, these works offer a thrilling and immersive experience for fans of the genre, blending the chilling elements of horror with the captivating world of video games.