Stephen King is an author known for his horror books, which are filled with slow-building terror and supernatural mysteries. His knack for crafting suspenseful scenes and gripping narratives has resulted in many of his books receiving adaptations in the form of movies like The Shining and Pet Cemetery and television shows such as Under the Dome. Although the film and television world have recognized how ripe Stephen King’s novels are for adaptation, the video game industry has yet to show a similar interest in his texts.
CD Projekt Red has found great success by taking inspiration from the literary world and the popularity of The Witcher series, which is based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski, proving that books can be successfully adapted into similarly awe-inspiring video games. A game adapted from one of King’s novels, if done right, could easily provide a bone-chillingly terrifying experience.
Stephen King’s Influence
Although there are no modern, AAA video games adapted from King novels, the author has had a profound impact on the gaming world. Plenty of developers have cited King as an influence, and references to King can be found in some games, too. Remedy Entertainment’s Alan Wake is a game that is heavily influenced by King. The game stars the eponymous Alan Wake who, like King, is a famous writer. When discussing how Alan Wake’s character was designed, Sam Lake, who is a writer for the game, stated that King was a source of inspiration, as “using a writer whose life turns nightmarish as a main character is something that King has successfully done in several of his books.” There are a few nods to King in the game, including Alan mentioning King by name and quoting him, and Alan being chased down by an ax-wielding foe like in The Shining.
Half-Life also owes its existence to King, as Valve’s game takes heavy inspiration from The Mist. King’s influence is so strong that the game was originally called Quiver, which is a surreptitious reference to the Arrowhead Project of The Mist. King’s novella also inspired the classic horror game Silent Hill, and both the game and King’s novel feature a town enveloped by a fog concealing deadly dangers.
Even though King is rarely explicitly mentioned, his influence can be felt in the gaming world, especially in horror games. FromSoftware’s Elden Ring features writing from the A Song of Ice and Fire novelist George R.R. Martin, proving that a bridge between authors and video game developers can be forged. With King’s prolific output of fiction and his experience with having his works adapted into other mediums, he might be the perfect author to strengthen this relationship.
The Best Stephen King Novels to Adapt to a Game
King has produced so many novels and short stories that it may be hard to decide which texts would make for the best video game adaptations. However, as any King fan knows, King’s works are not created equal, and among the many duds, there are a few excellent texts that stand out. Any developers looking to adapt a King text would do well to stick to the standouts.
The Shining is perhaps King’s most iconic novel, thanks in part to an excellent film adaptation by Stanley Kubrick. The novel takes place in the grand Overlook Hotel where Jack and his family spend some time taking care of the premises all alone. As madness slowly sets in, Jack turns on his family, and the hotel becomes a pressure cooker of insanity. A video game adaptation of the lengthy text would make for a game terrifying enough to raise goosebumps, especially if players get to see the events of the novel through the eyes of Jack’s wife, Wendy, who witnesses her husband’s downward spiral.
Other texts that are ripe for adapting include Misery and Carrie. In Misery, the writer Paul Sheldon, after injuring himself, is taken care of by a woman named Annie Wilkes who is a huge fan of his works. Although Annie is initially affectionate, Paul soon realizes that Annie is more of a captor than a caretaker. Having players trying to escape Annie’s vice grip while injured would make for the perfect slow-building horror game. Carrie might be an even better choice, as it features a woman with telekinetic powers who enacts revenge on her bullies. Revenge stories are a staple of gaming, and Carrie’s powers would also make for some great gameplay.
In a few decades, Stephen King has established himself as one of the most successful writers of all time. His works reveal a boundless imagination that is incredibly skilled at building up toe-curling suspense and ensuring readers never know what to expect next. Should the gaming world tap into King’s writing more intensely, it could open up the way for some truly terrifying titles.
