10 Celebrated Horror Directors That Made Video Games
8. Larry Fessenden
Game Credits: Until Dawn, Rush of Blood, The Inpatient, Hidden Agenda, Man of Medan
Fessenden might not be as prolific as some of his horror contemporaries, as even his most highly regarded flicks, the frosty, bleak psychological frights of Wendigo and The Last Winter, are more underrated cult classics than much flaunted. However, as a force in horror, in both acting and producing, his mark is undeniable.
As a writer on games, though, he pretty much etched out a parallel career as a recurring collaborator for Supermassive Games. Their first collaboration remains a massive highlight for both parties - PS4’s Until Dawn - a gripping interactive narrative experience that truly felt like being in charge of an authentic horror film. Any viewers of Fessenden’s films could see his fingerprints all over it: the wintry setting, the subversive, twisty narrative that plays with characters’ psychology, and of course, the use of the Wendigo as an antagonist. It’s a bona fide classic, and one of the best examples of its niche subgenre.
After that, though, the ride was a little bumpy. The PSVR shooter Rush of Blood is a low-key classic, but the next VR title, The Inpatient, was a flaccid disappointment. The dark spy thriller Hidden Agenda had strong writing but was let down by a clunky mobile app mechanic, while Man of Medan - their attempt at a spiritual successor to Until Dawn - was a mixed, messy bag. After that, Fessenden parted ways with the company, and both have gone on to varied success.