While some tropes like zombies are universally scary, others sources of terror require specific cultural knowledge to inspire dread – something Wyn Panichpakdee realised while watching both Thai and international players test his studio’s latest video game.
In Kumarn: The Wandering Spirit, players encounter phi nang rum, menacing dancing spirit dolls from Thai folklore. Wyn said Thai players instantly recognised the dolls and braced themselves for something horrifying, while foreign players required more visceral scares before they reacted.
“They were just surprised when there was a jump scare. They weren’t scared at the beginning,” said Wyn, who is managing director at Thai game maker Werebuff Studio.