{{Short description|2024 survival horror game}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox video game | genre = [[Survival horror]] | modes = Single-player | title = Don't Scream | designer = [[Joe Henson (video game designer)|Joe Henson]] }}
'''''Don't Scream''''' is an [[Indie game|indie]] [[survival horror]] game, designed by [[Joe Henson (video game designer)|Joe Henson]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/oct/31/little-monsters-why-indie-developers-make-the-best-horror-games/|title=Little monsters: why indie developers make the best horror games| publisher=[[The Guardian]] | last=Stuart|first=Keith|date=October 31, 2023 | accessdate=February 9, 2024}}</ref> The game became popular when it released for [[early access]] on 27 October 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-24 |title=Early access release date set for an immersive, microphone-required horror indie game "Don't Scream" |url=https://www.pcinvasion.com/early-access-release-date-set-for-an-immersive-microphone-required-horror-indie-game-dont-scream/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=PC Invasion |language=en-US}}</ref> Version 1.0 was released on 28 October 2024.
A sequel, titled ''Don't Scream Together'', was released on 3 December 2025.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://bleedingcool.com/games/dont-scream-together-confirmed-for-december-launch/|title=Don't Scream Together Confirmed for December Launch|website=Bleeding Cool News|first=Gavin|last=Sheehan|date=29 November 2025|access-date=5 December 2025}}</ref>
==Gameplay== ''Don't Scream'' is 18 minutes long; time only moves in the game when the player moves.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wood |first=Martin |date=2023-10-19 | title=Don't Scream's Titular Premise Leans on Player Accountability |url=https://gamerant.com/dont-scream-premise-player-accountability-microphone/ |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Game Rant |language=en}}</ref> The game is set in a forest in 1993, near the site of what appears to be a [[Aviation accidents and incidents|plane crash]]. The game is played from the perspective of a [[camcorder]], which the protagonist is assumed to be carrying.<ref>{{Cite web |last=McCaffrey |first=Ryan |date=2023-10-13 | title=Don't Scream, a '90s Found-Footage Horror Game, Announced |url=https://in.ign.com/dont-scream/196017/news/dont-scream-a-90s-found-footage-horror-game-announced |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=IGN India |language=en-in}}</ref> The player can choose different paths which will lead to either a homestead, a farm, a mini-mart, or a cemetery. There are random encounters of ghostly spirits that haunt the forest who will attempt to scare the player. The player character dies if they scream or make a loud noise; the game allows this mechanic to function by accessing players' [[Microphone|microphones]], with their consent.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-10-16 |title=Viral horror game requires a microphone and has a brutal game over condition - you die if you scream |url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/viral-horror-game-requires-microphone-180158664.html |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=Yahoo Entertainment |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Macgregor |first=Jody |date=2023-10-15 |title=If you scream while playing Don't Scream you have to restart the game |language=en |work=PC Gamer |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/if-you-scream-while-playing-dont-scream-you-have-to-restart-the-game/ |access-date=2023-11-01}}</ref> Players can restart when they die.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Lewis |first=Catherine |date=2023-10-16 |title=Psychological horror game Don't Scream challenges you to play for 18 minutes without screaming, and you'll be forced to restart if you do |url=https://www.techradar.com/gaming/pc-gaming/psychological-horror-game-dont-scream-challenges-you-to-play-for-18-minutes-without-screaming-and-youll-be-forced-to-restart-if-you-do |access-date=2023-11-01 |website=TechRadar |language=en}}</ref>
== Development == Joe Henson, who designed and developed the game, said that "The rise of [[PlayStation]]-esque visuals in a lot of indie horror titles is a testament to how undefined visuals can increase the fear factor." Henson added that the "loss of details plays into our imagination".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Stuart |first=Keith |date=2023-10-31 |title=Little monsters: why indie developers make the best horror games |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2023/oct/31/little-monsters-why-indie-developers-make-the-best-horror-games |access-date=2024-04-26 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
== References ==
{{reflist}} [[Category:Early access video games]] [[Category:Indie games]] [[Category:Single-player video games]] [[Category:Survival horror video games]] [[Category:Unreal Engine 5 games]] [[Category:2024 video games]] [[Category:Video games set in forests]]
{{horror-videogame-stub}}