Week 12: Forefront Friday: S.O.N

S.O.N is an independently financed horror game that began development in 2015 by a single developer. I find S.O.N very intriguing because the game seems to be played through the lens of a VHS camera, which I think is an interesting take on the “found footage” horror trope that I haven’t seen done anywhere else.

I place this game at the forefront of the industry because this is such a unique concept and challenges how I think I am perceiving what I am seeing. In a way we are not playing the game but watching old footage of someone exploring the house. It’s a very Meta concept and makes for a lot of interesting questions about how we are perceiving what we are playing.

In relation to my major project, I think this games aesthetics are reflective of what I have been aiming to achieve. It’s taking a relatively mundane setting and turning it into something foreboding and sinister. I especially enjoy the camera static as I feel this is another relatively harmless thing being turned into something menacing as the creatures approach the camera. As the game is being developed by a small team I will be watching this games performance with interest.

Gameplay trailer for S.O.N.

With the cancellation of Silent Hills by Hideo Kojima, I think people are still waiting for the next great horror title to fill the void. I would be very impressed if the small team at RedG studios are able to do so, as this shows you don't always need the biggest budget to be successful.

PLAYSTATION (2018) S.O.N – Official Gameplay Trailer #2 | PS4 [Online Video]. July 22nd. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPZElemPUmE [Accessed: 10/08/2018].

REDG STUDIOS (TBA) S.O.N. [DISC, DOWNLOAD] Playstation 4. San Mateo: Sony Interactive Entertainment.