Bloober Team's Success in Horror Gaming: Insights from CEO Piotr Babieno

Bloober Team has established itself as a leading name in the horror gaming industry. Following the release of its 2024 remake of Silent Hill 2, which has already sold more than 5 million copies, this Polish developer is now actively working on an impressive seven horror titles at various stages of development. During the recent Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show held in Bangkok, CEO Piotr Babieno shared insights into the elements contributing to the studio’s success, its future aspirations, and the growing appeal of horror as a genre. Babieno noted, "Horror tends to resonate most powerfully when negative events are unfolding in the world. Global issues like climate change, wars, and economic struggles create an atmosphere of fear within society." He elaborated, stating, "This is why horror films, novels, and games flourish during such times. While it’s effective for the genre, I can’t say I’m pleased about it, as it reflects the world’s current state." The reality of the world today includes a cost-of-living crisis, erratic weather patterns, ongoing conflicts, and the existential risks posed by the rapid growth of AI across industries. In parallel, horror has experienced a surge in popularity across various entertainment platforms. Indie films like Backrooms and Obsession have thrived at the box office, with Obsession grossing over half a billion dollars. The Resident Evil franchise remains a powerhouse, with its latest game installment, Resident Evil Requiem, selling 8.5 million copies since its February release, and a recent film adaptation quickly becoming the highest-grossing entry in the series. Streaming services have also capitalized on this trend, with Mike Flanagan’s adaptation of Carrie being renewed for a second season due to its success on Prime Video. Peacock's Crystal Lake, a prequel to Friday the 13th, has emerged as one of their most popular original scripted series, while Apple's Widows Bay has garnered significant acclaim, winning 14 Emmy Awards this September. Even comic book adaptations are incorporating horror elements, with the DC Universe's Clayface receiving a strong reception during its opening weekend in October. The public domain has also yielded horror adaptations, including two Winnie the Pooh slasher films already released and a third one set to debut in January. However, Bloober Team is not merely riding the horror wave. Initially, the studio focused on casual games and contract projects, but since launching Layers of Fear in 2016, it has dedicated itself to specializing in horror. Over the past decade, Bloober has become a trusted name in creating fear-inducing experiences, skillfully balancing licensed reimaginings with original intellectual properties. "There are many talented horror game developers out there, and we consider ourselves among them," Babieno stated. "Our goal is to concentrate solely on horror, allowing us to refine our approach to both the mechanics of fear and the technology behind game development." He emphasized the importance of understanding their audience, mentioning, "We continually evaluate our mistakes and seek ways to enhance our offerings. With each project, we ask ourselves if we are progressing as a studio and meeting our fans' expectations. If we aren’t, we risk wasting years on a title that doesn't resonate." While Babieno’s team is committed to engaging with its devoted fanbase, it has also learned to disregard negative feedback from critics. Similar to the backlash faced by director Zach Cregger before the release of his Resident Evil film, Bloober Team encountered skepticism from hardcore Silent Hill fans during their work on the remake of Silent Hill 2. Nevertheless, Babieno expressed unwavering confidence in their ability to honor the legacy of the Konami classic. "Initially, we faced a significant amount of criticism from fans," he reflected. "However, we concentrated on our project, committed to delivering a high-quality game while tuning out the surrounding noise. We believed in our vision from the start, and our efforts paid off. Silent Hill 2 marked a turning point for Bloober Team." The overwhelming success of Silent Hill 2 has heightened demand for Bloober Team's projects, prompting a period of growth amidst a wave of cuts and closures within other studios. The company now operates two first-party studios and has brought on Broken Mirror Games as a second-party studio, collaborating with five other Polish teams on various projects. Confirmed titles in development include a remake of the original Silent Hill, Layers of Fear 3, a Nintendo Switch 2-exclusive game titled Onyx: The Dark Grip, and Star Trek: Shadow Frontier, a psychological horror title set in the beloved sci-fi universe. While Babieno could not comment on recent leaks suggesting a 2027 release for Silent Hill featuring Gabrielle Fritz and Jade Matthew, he dismissed these details as mere rumors. He also refrained from revealing specifics about Star Trek: Shadow Frontier, only affirming his alignment with Paramount Games Studio’s ambition for it to become "the best Star Trek game of all time." However, he was eager to express his excitement for Project H, the working title for the next game from the creators of 2025’s Cronos: The New Dawn. Although still in the late stages of pre-production, Babieno believes it will represent a significant advancement for the studio. "This project marks a substantial leap from Cronos and our previous titles, offering a new kind of experience," he explained. "Yet, it will retain the core elements familiar to fans of Bloober Team games, presented in an entirely fresh manner." For Babieno, Bloober Team's aspirations within the thriving horror genre are clear. "I have a deep appreciation for both Silent Hill and Resident Evil, and I see potential for a third major horror franchise to emerge. I believe we’re on the right path with our creations, which distinctly stand apart from what is currently available on the market." "Ultimately, my primary goal is to establish new benchmarks within the gaming industry." The next release from Bloober Team is the DLC for Cronos: The New Dawn, titled Cronos: Lazarus. This expansion serves as a prequel to the main game and promises players a "faster, more aggressive combat style." Cronos: Lazarus is scheduled for release on December 3 for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC, with a Nintendo Switch 2 version launching in early 2027.