Bloober Team, the studio behind Layers of Fear, has quietly announced its transition from a psychological horror game developer to a mass-market horror game developer. The release of the remastered and expanded Layers of Fear collection marked the end of a phase known internally as Bloober Team 2.0. According to studio co-founder Piotr Babieno, the studio is now entering Bloober Team 3.0, focusing on making games with broader appeal.
In the past decade, Bloober Team has established itself as a prominent player in the psychological horror genre, with games like Layers of Fear, Observer, Blair Witch, and The Medium. These games were known for generating fear through narrative and environmental cues, often referred to as “vibes.” However, the studio realized that it needed to deliver something fresh and new to break through the limitations of its previous approach.
As part of this shift in creative direction, Bloober Team will now focus on action and player input to generate fear. The studio believes that this change will help expand its audience significantly. This change in philosophy was first implemented internally in 2019 when Bloober started working on a remake of Konami’s Silent Hill 2. Babieno stated that all future titles from Bloober will have a greater emphasis on gameplay mechanics and will be much larger in scope.
Before delving into Bloober Team’s future, let’s take a look at how the studio became a major player in the horror genre. Bloober Team was founded in 2006 by Babieno, who initially wanted to become a storyteller in the film industry. However, due to the high costs associated with filmmaking, he turned to game development. The studio initially focused on creating contract games but struggled to find success.
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Everything changed for Bloober Team in 2015 when the studio released Layers of Fear, its breakout hit. This was followed by a series of well-received psychological horror games. Bloober’s rebranding and focus on horror were driven by Babieno’s love for the genre and his belief that fear serves as a shortcut to deep human emotions.
Bloober’s transition into becoming a horror game developer was further solidified when the studio secretly approached Konami to make a Silent Hill game. After years of discussions, Konami invited Bloober to pitch a remake of Silent Hill 2. Despite the studio’s initial concerns about touching something sacred, Bloober secured the project, marking another pivotal moment in its journey.
With the release of the Layers of Fear collection, Bloober Team 2.0 has come to an end. The studio now eagerly awaits the release of Silent Hill 2, which will be the first title from Bloober Team 3.0. This new phase signifies a small but significant shift in creative direction, with a greater focus on action-first, mass-market horror games.
According to Babieno, horror games offer a cathartic experience for players, allowing them to dissect their reactions to intense situations and deal with real-world emotions. In a time of global crises and uncertainty, horror games provide a safe space for players to confront their fears and prepare for the unexpected.
As Bloober Team enters this new phase, the studio has grown to approximately 230 employees. Babieno’s personal fear is not being able to deliver quality games and having to lay off any of the team members. However, he remains committed to maintaining Bloober’s independence and creativity, as he believes it is the key to delivering new milestones in the horror genre.
In a landscape where big publishers are acquiring indie studios, Bloober Team stands firm as an independent company focused on creating AAA-quality horror games. Babieno believes that staying independent will allow the studio to continue delivering fresh and innovative experiences without being constrained by financial considerations.
As fans eagerly await Bloober Team’s future projects, it is clear that the studio’s shift from psychological horror to mass-market horror opens up new opportunities for both the studio and its growing audience. By embracing action and gameplay mechanics, Bloober Team aims to create even more terrifying experiences that will captivate players around the world.
