At the age of nine, I thought I had experienced all the scares that video games had to offer. But nothing prepared me for the horror of Doctor Who’s episode ‘Blink’ and its terrifying Weeping Angels. Fast forward to today, and the horror game Poppy Playtime takes mascot horror to a whole new level, leaving Goosebumps in the dust.
Mascot horror is a subgenre that targets younger audiences by turning familiar figures into evil entities. Popularized by games like Five Nights at Freddy’s, mascot horror games feature creepy mascots that are both profitable in-game and out. And now, Poppy Playtime has taken this trend to new heights with its wide-grinning, long-limbed toys that are out to get you.
Despite its terrifying premise, Poppy Playtime is surprisingly easy to play, with simple puzzles and chase sequences. This accessibility makes it appealing to children, even though it shouldn’t be. The game is rated for ages eight and up, but its content is far too scary for young kids.
The rise of mascot horror can be attributed to the internet and the popularity of content creators on platforms like YouTube. Games like Five Nights at Freddy’s gained traction through YouTubers who played and reacted to them, attracting a younger audience. This gap in the market was later filled by simpler games like Poppy Playtime, which children can easily play without the need for a content creator.
However, I believe that horror should never be targeted at children. The increasing availability of horror content for young audiences has led to disturbing scenes of violence and gore being consumed by kids. This is not appropriate or healthy for their development.
In recent years, we have seen a rise in children being killed on-screen in horror movies and TV shows. Scenes of violence that were once reserved for adult audiences are now being shown to children, normalizing and desensitizing them to graphic content. This is a concerning trend that can have serious consequences.
Poppy Playtime should be a game for adults who want to revisit their childhood and experience the disturbing nature of evil toys. Instead, it is being marketed directly to young audiences, encouraging them to idolize rather than fear these terrifying characters.
It’s time to reconsider the impact of mascot horror on children and ensure that age-appropriate content is available to them. Let’s protect their innocence and shield them from the disturbing world of horror that is creeping into their lives.
Table: Horror Content in Recent Years
| Horror Content | Impact on Children |
|---|---|
| The infamous bite of 83′ in Five Nights at Freddy’s | Children witnessing violence against a child character |
| Huggy Wuggy in Poppy Playtime | Children exposed to terrifying imagery and gameplay |
| Scenes of violence in IT Chapter 1 | Children witnessing graphic violence and gore |
| Mind Flayer in Stranger Things | Teenagers being subjected to horrifying and disturbing scenes |
| Slender Man stabbing incident | A rare but alarming case of a child mimicking violence |
Let’s prioritize the well-being of our children and ensure that they are not exposed to inappropriate and harmful content. It’s time to draw a line between age-appropriate entertainment and the disturbing world of horror.
Source: DOTESPORTS
