Yes, playing scary games can increase the likelihood of experiencing nightmares.
Yes, playing scary games can increase the likelihood of experiencing nightmares.
It hasn't been easy to sleep lately after watching the second episode of the revived Doctor Who. I've been through a lot of intense games too—System Shock, BioShock, F.E.A.R., Amnesia, Penumbra, Silent Hill, Resident Evil... I can see how deep those experiences go.
That's a mistake! The real cause of all nightmares is often something simple.
I seldom imagine anything in games—mostly things I never really consider. I recall thinking about an adventure novel before drifting off, and my dreams turned into a zombie apocalypse. That’s the only time I’ve ever thought about it during the day, lol. Short answer: No.
It all hinges on what you find captivating. I considered a glamorous celebrity existence after a late-night encounter and ended up with a wild party among dozens of stars. Spent time on a deserted island with my coconut companion Fluffy. Woke up feeling down and decided to explore that story. I've experienced some extraordinary dreams—most notably, the ability to halt time, though there was a twist: I was blind during the pause.
Absolutely, the same applies to horror films. I can't enjoy them by myself.
I'm really into intense content, but I wouldn't risk it unless you compensated me. I do check out harshcritical's and John Wolfe's gameplay videos.
I really enjoy that. Horror games and films are my top choice. Occasionally it can get a bit extreme, but only when the experience is truly intense and shocking. The three games I distinctly recall from recent years (when I was sleeping) were F.E.A.R 1, Dead Space 1, and Outlast 1. It's just entertaining and a bit thrilling, with a healthy adrenaline boost here and there.