Today, Fictiorama Studios and AMC Games announced the release of the indie narrative-driven strategy game, The Fabulous Fear Machine. With its themes of corruption and mass manipulation—and a striking comic book art style based on 1950s pulp horror—the game presents a uniquely chilling experience for players as Halloween approaches. The Fabulous Fear Machine is available now with a launch discount of 15% off $17.99 USD on Steam, GOG.com, and The Epic Games Store.
Just in time for the season of scary, The Fabulous Fear Machine offers a globe-trotting single player campaign that makes a game of wide-spread hysteria. Each of three story chapters focuses on a new Master of the Machine as their twisted morality play unfolds. From a scientist’s conquest of the pharmaceutical market in Eurasia, to a small-town insurance salesman’s fumbling foray into local politics, to a hell-raising tale of televangelism in the Americas, the game satirizes the institutional giants of contemporary life.
“We’re so excited about the release of The Fabulous Fear Machine,” said Luis Oliván, co-founder of Fictiorama Studios. “This is our most ambitious game so far—mixing narrative mechanics with strategy, cards, resource management, tabletop mechanics and comic books has been as challenging as it was fun. We hope players enjoy the game as much as we did developing it.”
Legends are the game’s eye-catching card mechanic, representing urban myths, folktales, and conspiracy theories designed to ensnare the masses. In order to grow the fear seed that represents the player’s power, Legends need to be evolved—a process involving resource management and an opportunity for players to flex their logic and horror lore knowledge. It rewards players who dive into the core fantasy of being a weaver of terrifying tales!
“The Fabulous Fear Machine is a celebration of the scary story, one that explores how urban legends creep under our skin and embed themselves into our psyches, until the only possible thing we can think to do is spread them,” said Clayton Neuman, VP of Games & Franchise at AMC. “We are so proud to be partnering with the award-winning developers at Fictiorama to spread this particular brand of fear to horror fans and real-time strategy enthusiasts alike this Halloween season.”
The Fabulous Fear Machine recently showcased new footage during Feardemic’s Fear Fest 2023, after gaining recognition for its art style and innovative mechanics on a 2022 tour of festivals like LudoNarraCon, IndieCade, the London Games Festival, and A MAZE. For more information, join the conversation on X (formerly Twitter) or hop into the game’s official Discord.
