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Screamers often rely on deception to work. They may use clever editing, false promises, or other tricks to convince viewers that they are watching something harmless or mundane. This is often done to make the eventual jump scare more effective, as the viewer is caught off guard and taken by surprise. Despite their popularity and notoriety, screamers remain a controversial and divisive form of internet content. These types of pranks are often spread through social media and messaging platforms and typically rely on the viewer being unaware of the content they are about to see. In some cases, screamers are used as a form of advertising, although this practice has been criticized for being uncommercial and upsetting to viewers. Many websites and online communities have implemented policies against screamers and similar content, citing concerns over the psychological impact on viewers, particularly those who may be vulnerable or have anxiety or other mental health issues. The most famous example of screamers are [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]], [[The Maze]] by [[Jeremy Winterrowd]] and more. | Screamers often rely on deception to work. They may use clever editing, false promises, or other tricks to convince viewers that they are watching something harmless or mundane. This is often done to make the eventual jump scare more effective, as the viewer is caught off guard and taken by surprise. Despite their popularity and notoriety, screamers remain a controversial and divisive form of internet content. These types of pranks are often spread through social media and messaging platforms and typically rely on the viewer being unaware of the content they are about to see. In some cases, screamers are used as a form of advertising, although this practice has been criticized for being uncommercial and upsetting to viewers. Many websites and online communities have implemented policies against screamers and similar content, citing concerns over the psychological impact on viewers, particularly those who may be vulnerable or have anxiety or other mental health issues. The most famous example of screamers are [[What's Wrong With This Picture?]], [[The Maze]] by [[Jeremy Winterrowd]] and more. | ||
==Background== | |||
The "[[bait-and-switch]]" technique of screamers is a popular feature of [[shock sites|shock websites]] and videos that are designed to startle or frighten viewers. Screamers typically begin with seemingly innocuous content before suddenly switching to a startling or frightening image accompanied by a loud, startling sound. This sudden change can be particularly effective because the viewer's attention is often focused on the innocuous content at the beginning, making the sudden change more unexpected and shocking. The bait-and-switch technique used in screamers takes advantage of the viewer's expectations and preconceptions by presenting seemingly normal or innocuous content, making them more susceptible to the sudden shock or scare. This technique is commonly used in horror movies and other media to create a sense of suspense and tension before revealing the scary or shocking moment. Screamers are a type of online prank or meme that typically take the form of a video, game, or other interactive media, with the viewer encouraged to focus intently on the screen or task at hand. The bait-and-switch technique is used to manipulate the viewer's expectations and create a sense of surprise or shock. By luring the viewer in with something peaceful, the screamer sets them up for the sudden and unexpected scare. The popularity of screamers peaked in the early 2000s, but they are still occasionally used as a form of online prank or meme. However, they have become an overused form of internet prank and many websites and social media platforms now prohibit their sharing. Additionally, the bait-and-switch technique used in screamers has been used for more malicious purposes, such as spreading malware or tricking viewers into sharing personal information. The bait-and-switch technique used in screamers is an extension of the broader internet phenomenon of [[wikipedia:clickbait|clickbait]], where sensational headlines are used to entice viewers to click on a link. These are several techniques of screamers documented in this article below. | |||
==History and origin== | ==History and origin== | ||
{{Main|Screamer Wiki:Throughout the Years}} | {{Main|Screamer Wiki:Throughout the Years}} | ||
The earliest examples of screamers were typically simple animated images or videos that appeared to be harmless, but then suddenly displayed a loud, frightening image or sound. These early screamers were often shared through email or posted on message boards and quickly gained popularity due to their ability to startle and shock viewers. The early screamer videos and websites were often crude and simplistic. Over time, screamers evolved to become more elaborate and sophisticated, incorporating more advanced graphics, sound effects, and even interactive elements, thanks to [[Adobe Flash]]. While screamer videos and websites were initially created as pranks or jokes, some horror video games and films have since adopted the technique as a way to scare their audiences. The jump scare, which is a common element of horror media today, is essentially a modern take on the screamer. The earliest screamer to date was the 1970s anti-heroin campaign titled ''[[Monkey on Their Backs]]'', which features a wind-up monkey toy playing its cymbals while a young girl's voice discusses addiction to heroin. Suddenly, the monkey stops playing and the camera zooms in on its face, which abruptly changes to a still image of a real-life monkey screaming at the viewer, accompanied by a short scream. The text "Why do you think they call it DOPE?" appears on the screen. Another earliest example of a screamer was a scareware program created by Patrick Evans, titled "[[NightMare|Nightmare]]" that, when executed, features a digital image of a skull facing right with its jaws open, covered in blood, and bearing a bullet wound. | The earliest examples of screamers were typically simple animated images or videos that appeared to be harmless, but then suddenly displayed a loud, frightening image or sound. These early screamers were often shared through email or posted on message boards and quickly gained popularity due to their ability to startle and shock viewers. The early screamer videos and websites were often crude and simplistic. Over time, screamers evolved to become more elaborate and sophisticated, incorporating more advanced graphics, sound effects, and even interactive elements, thanks to [[Adobe Flash]]. While screamer videos and websites were initially created as pranks or jokes, some horror video games and films have since adopted the technique as a way to scare their audiences. The jump scare, which is a common element of horror media today, is essentially a modern take on the screamer. The earliest screamer to date was the 1970s anti-heroin campaign titled ''[[Monkey on Their Backs]]'', which features a wind-up monkey toy playing its cymbals while a young girl's voice discusses addiction to heroin. Suddenly, the monkey stops playing and the camera zooms in on its face, which abruptly changes to a still image of a real-life monkey screaming at the viewer, accompanied by a short scream. The text "Why do you think they call it DOPE?" appears on the screen. Another earliest example of a screamer was a scareware program created by Patrick Evans, titled "[[NightMare|Nightmare]]" that, when executed, features a digital image of a skull facing right with its jaws open, covered in blood, and bearing a bullet wound. | ||
==In video games== | ==In video games== | ||
Screamers are a common technique used in horror video games to create sudden and intense moments of fright. This technique involves startling the player with an unexpected event such as the sudden appearance of a frightening creature or a loud noise accompanied by a quick visual or auditory cue. The main purpose of a screamer is to create a feeling of suspense and anticipation, leading the player to become increasingly anxious and fearful as they progress through the game. Screamers are often used in combination with other horror elements such as eerie music, ambient sounds, and disturbing imagery as a design to make their game scarier. While screamers can be very effective at scaring players, they can also be overused or used poorly, leading to frustration or boredom. When used sparingly and in the right context, a screamer can be a powerful tool for creating an experience of horror games. One example of a horror game that utilizes screamers is [[Lomando.com]], which contains various puzzles that lead the player to screamers at almost any room they enter. The objective of the game is to use every element of the game they can find and reach an "archive". Webcomics also often used animated screamers in moments of suspense. In other words, screamers play a very crucial role as an element in almost every horror game. | Screamers are a common technique used in horror video games to create sudden and intense moments of fright. This technique involves startling the player with an unexpected event such as the sudden appearance of a frightening creature or a loud noise accompanied by a quick visual or auditory cue. The main purpose of a screamer is to create a feeling of suspense and anticipation, leading the player to become increasingly anxious and fearful as they progress through the game. Screamers are often used in combination with other horror elements such as eerie music, ambient sounds, and disturbing imagery as a design to make their game scarier. While screamers can be very effective at scaring players, they can also be overused or used poorly, leading to frustration or boredom. When used sparingly and in the right context, a screamer can be a powerful tool for creating an experience of horror games. One example of a horror game that utilizes screamers is [[Lomando.com]], which contains various puzzles that lead the player to screamers at almost any room they enter. The objective of the game is to use every element of the game they can find and reach an "archive". Webcomics also often used animated screamers in moments of suspense. In other words, screamers play a very crucial role as an element in almost every horror game. | ||
