People are often asked if they would rather stay in or go out on Halloween; however, for many, there can be a middle ground: video games.
With decreasing autumn temperatures and the increased price of candy, costumes and decorations, actively celebrating Halloween can feel less and less tempting.
With online games right at people’s fingertips providing seasonal updates to keep an audience, players can dress up their avatars and explore the world with friends without the worry of Halloween plans or the added expenses.
Unfortunately, just like parties and movies, not all Halloween updates are created equally. Slapping some orange and black on the front page just doesn’t cut it these days, so what does?
The environment, of course.
Games like “Ultrakill” and “Minecraft” add bits like putting a pumpkin on enemy players’ heads or changing the textures of some basic items. These updates feel obnoxiously bland and only serve as a reminder that it’s October, which nobody has forgotten.
Users expect more when other games completely redecorate for the season.
For example, “Stardew Valley” keeps it refreshing yet simple by decorating the base map with pumpkins, bats and knickknacks, creating an atmosphere while helping players feel the in-game time pass.
Most game developers can’t just slap a bunch of typical Halloween decorations together for the season and make it work. Just like exploring a neighborhood during Halloween, the world has to feel engaging and like people live there. Environmental storytelling is vital for games that change the map, or it can feel completely soulless.
Back when “Club Penguin” was still online, this problem was remedied by adding a new story to the universe, such as it only being night during Halloween because of an equinox and having a movie called “Night of the Living Sled” playing all over the island. This did a great job of keeping players engaged, as well as making the world feel lived-in by focusing on the minor details.
Intractability is also vital. If someone can get into a costume in real life and eat sweet treats, they expect their avatar to do the same thing.
“Don’t Starve Together” handles this incredibly by providing a multitude of new cosmetics for characters and allowing players to trade with the Pig King for treats. Being able to shove candy in a virtual maw almost fills the never-ending void the stomach has for treats in real life, making any game that allows it an immediate step up from others without.
Fighting games have the hardest Halloween update, as there are often several maps instead of just one that need to be redecorated for the season to satisfy players.
Both “Overwatch 2” and “Team Fortress 2” redecorate maps and offer new cosmetics for avatars; however, where “Overwatch 2” only has officially created maps, the strategy employed by “Team Fortress 2” of accepting community-made maps comes with a flaw.
Because the game’s new Halloween maps are not always made by experts, even if they might look professionally done and functional on the surface, oftentimes the spooky spirit can get in the way. Directional signs can be covered up, making it difficult to know where players should go unless they’re already experienced with the map, making many Halloween maps a difficult learning curve.
“Splatoon” takes a completely different approach than other fighting games, as it only decorates its main hub instead of having Halloween-themed battlegrounds. However, the in-game idols getting dressed up, talking about the event and singing songs becomes a huge event for the player base.
Above all, game developers need to be aware of what makes a Halloween update and map engaging and enjoyable. People want to bond on Halloween. Just as partying, movies and trick-or-treating bring people together, video games can do the same thing; however, the game needs to create a good atmosphere for that to happen.
Put spooky skeletons into your game. Allow players to dress up. Let players form positive memories of your game that will last for years to come by providing a place for connection this Halloween.
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