Video Games and the Fear of the Dark

An atmospheric journey through my story about dark, enclosed spaces in video games.

Whether it's the eerie caves of Elden Ring or the unsettling depths of Oblivion, there's something about venturing into the unknown that taps into our most primal fears. In this video, I delve into the psychology behind why these spaces terrify us and why we keep coming back for more. From personal anecdotes to scientific insights, join me as I explore the dark allure of the void and why it continues to captivate our imagination in video games.

Curious to uncover the mystery? Watch the video and let's descend into the darkness together.

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Featured games in order of appearance:

Elden Ring (2022, FromSoftware)
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time (1998, Nintendo)
Firewatch (2016, Campo Santo)
The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion (2006, Bethesda)

Featured movies in order of appearance:
Annabelle (2014)
The Ring (2002)
28 Days Later (2002)
A Tale of Two Sisters (2002)
The Descent (2002)

If you want to read more:
On the Nature of Fear (https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...)
The Evolutionary Reasons We Are Drawn to Horror Movies and Haunted Houses (https://www.scientificamerican.com/ar...)
The Psychology of Mystery and Fascination (https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/bl...)
The Allure of Mysteries (https://www.bps.org.uk/psychologist/a...)

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CONTENT:
00:00 - A Reason
01:32 - The Elevator
02:57 - The Boy and the Tree
04:47 - Tunnels into the Abyss
07:25 - Snakes and Monkeys
09:27 - The Descent into Oblivion
12:24 - Overcoming Fear
14:42 - Call of the Void

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#videoessay #dark #fearofthedark