How do we create horror beyond October?

Join the Katapult team and special guest, Matt Clarkson from Simworx, as they delve into the world of horror attractions, exploring the thrill, technology and art of storytelling.

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Hunger for year-round thrills

Gone are the days when horror was a genre confined to the spooky season. The thrill of a good scare has broken free from its October chains and is now a dominant, year-round force in entertainment. As podcast host Robbie Jones points out, the demand is staggering: "If you look at horror slash thriller content on Netflix, it makes up three billion hours of viewed content globally every year." This insatiable appetite has pushed creative industries, from film to theme parks, to innovate how they deliver fear, making it a permanent fixture on the cultural calendar.

But what exactly is "horror"? The podcast discussion reveals that fear is subjective and exists on a wide spectrum. For some, like guest Matt Clarkson, classic psychological terror reigns supreme. "I'm old school," he admits. "It's what you don't see that scares you the most and it's the fear of the unknown." For others, like Alex, the line is drawn at realism. Fantastical threats like aliens are enjoyable, but horrors that feel too possible are a step too far.

This led to a fascinating definition of horror as a spectrum. “I kind of like seeing horror as a spectrum because I can certainly identify with the more mischievous and the more kind of spooky horror,” Alex explains. This range allows for everything from the family-friendly spookiness of Tim Burton's Wednesday to the intense, adrenaline-pumping experiences found in theme park attractions.

The Psychology of the "Safe Scare"

So, why do we crave this feeling? Andy offers a compelling psychological insight, comparing the experience to fairy tales and roller coasters. "That darkness is almost used as a safety mechanism... it keeps us in check," he says. "We push ourselves as individuals, as humans, to get as close as we can, potentially to death, but then always have that moment of being reassured." This concept of the "safe scare" is the driving force behind the success of horror attractions. We get the dopamine and adrenaline rush in an environment where we know, deep down, we are not in real danger.

Theme park giants are capitalizing on this in a big way. Universal's Halloween Horror Nights, a seasonal event since 1991, has become so popular it's spawning a permanent, year-round attraction in Las Vegas. Likewise, both Universal's Epic Universe with its "Dark Universe" land and Disney's planned "Villains Land" signal a major industry shift: horror is no longer a temporary overlay but a cornerstone of the modern theme park experience.

Key Findings from the Discussion

• Year-Round Demand: Horror is no longer a seasonal genre, with billions of hours of content consumed annually, prompting a shift to permanent, year-round attractions.

  
  

• The Horror Spectrum: What is considered "scary" is highly subjective, ranging from mischievous and spooky to intense psychological or gory horror.

  
  

• The "Safe Scare": Guests enjoy horror attractions because they provide an adrenaline rush in a controlled environment, satisfying a human desire to flirt with danger safely.

  
  

• Technology is the New Ghost: Innovations like trackless Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs) are revolutionizing dark rides, creating unpredictable and dynamic experiences that traditional tracked systems cannot match. The rapid acceleration and omnidirectional movement enhance feelings of pursuit and disorientation.

  
  

• Narrative is King: The most effective horror attractions are built on a strong narrative, using pre-shows, queue lines, lighting, and sound to build suspense long before the main experience begins.

The future of fear is being shaped by technology. The podcast details a new ride concept, "Torchlight," built on Simworx's AGV system. This trackless vehicle technology is a game-changer. As Matt Clarkson explains, the vehicle’s unique capabilities are key to the terror.

This tech allows creators to break free from linear storytelling. Alex describes how the AGV system inspires "this theme of pursuit and the idea that from a guest perspective, you're being chased." With the ability to spin, swerve into dead ends, and simulate near-misses, the ride becomes a chaotic, first-person horror film where the guest is the star, creating a deeply personal and repeatable scare.