There are plenty of Hellraiser movies out there — and now, a video game — but Salt Entertainment is bringing Clive Barker’s salacious series to an all-new medium. The studio announced today they’re planning a new series of board games based on the popular franchise, with a release planned around the fortieth anniversary of the original film next year.
The new series of games is designed both for longtime Hellraiser fans and newcomers to the franchise, according to Salt, with three initial games planned for release. One is a dice game designed around “built around temptation, risk and how far players are willing to push their luck,” followed by a social deduction game that forces players to question their loyalties, and a tabletop RPG “inspired by the mysteries of the Lament Configuration.”
“There’s something wonderfully intimate about gathering around a table to frighten one another,” said Barker. “Everyone brings an imagination, a few secret fears, and perhaps a little too much confidence. I’m delighted that these Hellraiser games invite players into unexplored corners of the mythology. Curiosity is both the invitation and the trouble. I suspect they’ll know certain doors ought to remain closed. I’m counting on them being unable to resist.”
Veteran game designer Francesco Nepitello is in charge of developing the tabletop RPG, while Michael Shinall is in charge of an untitled board game, presumably the dice one. Other games are currently in the works, with further details to be announced at a later date.
“Horror has always fascinated me, particularly the way it gives us a space to explore unease, tension and dread,” said Shinall. “Many franchises focus on threats from outside, but Hellraiser understands that the deepest horrors come from within the human psyche. Bringing those themes to the tabletop has been a personal ambition of mine for years, and now I’ve been given the perfect vessel. In short, I have such sights to show you.”
Salt Entertainment’s Hellraiser games are set to arrive next Halloween. Stay tuned to FANGORIA for more updates.
