Chinese-style Horror in Gaming: The Most Terrifying and the Least Terrifying Topic

A horror game is a game genre that aims to create an intense and terrifying atmosphere among its players. However, the story of the game can sometimes be closely related to a certain culture. Chinese culture, as a typical example, includes enormous Chinese elements such as Chinese history and feudal superstitions. For individuals familiar with Chinese culture, this trait can enhance their gameplay experience and immersion. However, for those unfamiliar with Chinese culture, it might paradoxically impede their comprehension of the narrative, subsequently diminishing the sense of immersion during gameplay. In this case, the aim of this study is to find out the relationship between the cultural background of the player in a horror game and the flow experience of the player while playing. This paper primarily focuses on Chinese horror games, with Devotion at the forefront as the main subject of analysis. It categorizes the fear elements present within these games, explores the correlation between these elements and players cultural backgrounds, and concludes by employing questionnaire surveys and data analysis. The study shows that a relationship with a particular culture in a story-telling game can significantly affect the heart-flow experience that players have.