Supermassive Games has made an impact on the horror game genre with The Dark Pictures Anthology, but its biggest success remains 2015's Until Dawn. The game successfully brought the essence of horror films into a cinematic gaming experience, subverting players' expectations through its supernatural twists and terrifying Wendigo threats. The game's choice-based mechanics provided a substantial story, with various ways for characters to die, creating an immersive and unpredictable experience.

The upcoming Until Dawn film faces the challenge of translating the malleable story based on player choice to the big screen. This presents an opportunity to surprise audiences by subverting their expectations, potentially even more than the game's supernatural reveal.

The Opportunity for Subverting Audience Expectations

Using Surprising Character Deaths to Its Advantage

In Until Dawn, characters' survival is not guaranteed. Some characters can meet a brutal end due to failing Quick Time Events or making critical choices. The game emphasizes the 'Butterfly Effect,' where seemingly minor decisions can have significant consequences. The separation between the cast's experiences, involving Josh's