Red Barrels, the studio behind the notoriously terrifying Outlast horror series, has shared an anecdote about a playtester who was so overwhelmed by the game's content that they left the studio crying and did not return. Philippe Morin, director at Red Barrels, recounted the incident, emphasizing the studio's commitment to preparing testers for the extreme nature of their games.
"We always make sure that people are fully aware of the kind of content we create," Morin stated. This practice is in place to manage expectations and ensure playtesters are mentally prepared for the visceral horror elements that define the Outlast experience. The incident highlights the effectiveness of the game's horror design, which aims to deeply disturb and unsettle players.