ORCID

703175470

Keywords

Themed Experience, Horror, Escape Room, Puzzles, Jump Scare

Abstract

This thesis seeks to utilize horror themes in a puzzle-based themed experience without the usage of jump scares. By alerting the body’s startle response once a puzzle is completed with a sudden loud noise or visuals, many horror-themed escape rooms utilize the jump scare tactic to heighten their guests’ adrenaline. While this technique is often effective in eliciting a reaction from participants, the effects are temporary– and sometimes hinder participants’ desire to fully interact with the environment. By primarily using the experience’s narrative and environment to illicit a fear response in guests, as opposed to using the consequences of their actions, the participants will have a higher sense of freedom and enjoyment. Evidence is presented on popular interest in horror, modern media, and experiences that create compelling and fear-inducing responses without utilizing jump scares. This paper also carefully examines multiple models of puzzle-based experiences, including escape rooms; it also evaluates how the industry has evolved to solve its shortcomings, such as a lack of replay value and low hourly capacities. Utilizing these two sets of information, this thesis presents a design for a replayable jump scare-free puzzle experience that will give higher capacities of guests chills again and again.

Completion Date

2025

Semester

Summer

Committee Chair

Weishar, Peter

Degree

Master of Fine Arts (M.F.A.)

College

College of Arts and Humanities

Department

Theatre (Themed Experience)

Format

PDF

Identifier

DP0029603

Language

English

Document Type

Thesis

Campus Location

Orlando (Main) Campus

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