My first rule of horror RPGs is that the players have to agree to play a horror game. If none of the PCs are being horrified, making poor decisions under stress, or even being fearful, it's just another bug hunt. I want panicked whispers, wild speculation, squeaks and screams, dropped equipment, poking phobias, and maybe a little vomit from the PCs. I can do some of the heavy lifting with the NPCs, but playing horror should make the PCs sweat and second guess everything.
You are absolutely right, the players need to know what they are in for, and they need to buy in to that experience. This is very similar to what Exeunt Press talked about today over at Skeleton Code Machine, where the whole game depends on the unwritten rule that you will play your character like they are in a horror story. If the players don't go for it, it's gonna be hard creating the horror experience at the table.
My first rule of horror RPGs is that the players have to agree to play a horror game. If none of the PCs are being horrified, making poor decisions under stress, or even being fearful, it's just another bug hunt. I want panicked whispers, wild speculation, squeaks and screams, dropped equipment, poking phobias, and maybe a little vomit from the PCs. I can do some of the heavy lifting with the NPCs, but playing horror should make the PCs sweat and second guess everything.
You are absolutely right, the players need to know what they are in for, and they need to buy in to that experience. This is very similar to what Exeunt Press talked about today over at Skeleton Code Machine, where the whole game depends on the unwritten rule that you will play your character like they are in a horror story. If the players don't go for it, it's gonna be hard creating the horror experience at the table.
Fantastic article! Really enjoyed your thoughts on horror and simple way to set it up.