Block of Horror, a 24/7 browser-based platform, will launch on Saturday, October 26th, with Blocktoberfest 2024. Horror fans can create a free account and attend two short film festivals, which will be live-streamed in a virtual movie theater. Red Tower Entertainment’s Spooktacular Film Fest for Horror & Sci-Fi will stream on October 26th, followed by Block of Horror’s Blocktoberfest Film Festival on October 27th.
Block of Horror is more than a place to see films; it’s a virtual hangout for horror fans, creators, and brands. Each player will create a custom avatar and visit the many spots around town. Players can converse with one another using a microphone or a chat box. Meet up with your pals at the theater, have a coffee at Bones Coffee Co. and make a new friend, shop for real products at Shadowfield Mall, explore videotapes and monster masks at Horror Hounds VHS Store, or stroll about and take it all in.
In addition to Blocktoberfest, ongoing events will include games, quests, ways to earn cool physical and digital collectibles, themed movie nights, and regularly scheduled films from the Red Tower Entertainment library hosted in Prophet’s Theater. The digital integration of Dark Matter TV’s collection is being developed and is projected to be available by January 2025.
Over 20 brands will be available to shop, including Bones Coffee Company, Graveyard Wanders, KILLSTAR, Phoenix Rising Cosmetics (formerly Vampire Cosmetics), Scream & Sugar Soap Co., Spirit Jersey, Wytchwood, Vampire Vineyards, and merchandising/creative partner Cult of Cult. The e-commerce integration allows players to check out new products from these companies and make purchases on the spot.
Content and creative partners include Red Tower Entertainment, Dark Matter TV, Adventr, Primordial Pictures, Forever Midnight podcast, The Paranormal Lounge podcast, horror authors M.L. Bullock (Gulf Coast Paranormal, Seven Sisters series’) and Briana Morgan, Pure Horror, The Pumpkin Empress, The Horror Props Shop, and Blair Scares.
Kelli Maroney, brand ambassador and star of the horror cult classics Chopping Mall and Night of the Comet, stated:
“Block of Horror is the most innovative and exciting project I’ve seen in forever. It’s just plain serendipity for me to come aboard as an ambassador for TBOH.
I’d been on a private mission looking for new and cool opportunities to connect more deeply with fans, and this is the perfect new platform to bring actors, brands, and creatives to the horror family even closer.
The possibilities are now endless for performers and artists in the genre to make magic materialize, because the technology is advancing at least as fast as our imaginations can dream things up.
Conventions have always been a great way for us all to gather, but now you’ll be able to access the horror fam and our world 24 hours a day—come browse the shops in the mall and say hi to me if you do! Catch an interview with horror royalty and hear how they did it, see a movie, stock up on awesome merch, check out the cemetery, play a few games, see your friends and make new ones, or just lurk around and appreciate the exceptional design aesthetics The whole block is gorgeous and foreboding. Access the horror world and see what we’re all doing anytime you want.
It’s just the beginning. In addition to what I’m already thrilled about, it’s possible we could act as a virtual studio in the future and distribute ourselves, too. Who knows what the future has in store?”
Creative partner Patrick Mediate (Co-Founder, Primordial Pictures), host of the Screamwriter’s podcast, shares, “The opportunity to bring brands into the world and integrate them deeper into the storytelling has been eye-opening for all involved. Imagine the thrill of Halloween Horror Nights but in a fully immersive virtual world. It’s a utopia for horror fans.”
“If there was an entire horror-themed mall near you, tell me you wouldn’t want to go every day. As a virtual hub for horror fans, Block of Horror isn’t just a place where they engage with the genre but where they actively participate in shaping the story we create together. It’s a carefully curated, immersive world that showcases the best items in the horror space, delivering them directly to the audience that craves them,” added Aaron McLane (Co-founder, Primordial Pictures), host of Block of Horror’s weekly interactive audio show Half Hour of Horror.
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“Block of Horror is more than just a horror experience. It’s the culmination of passion, creativity, and the connection between fans and creators,” said Zachary Layner (Partner, CEO, Block of Horror). “The mission is not only to create dynamic new experiences in a one-click, free-to-enter, virtual world—but also to welcome community members, known as ‘Keepers of the Block,’ giving them more say, more votes, and more opportunities to express themselves, their creativity, and their interests.”
Mike Lowther (Partner, Game Director, Block of Horror) emphasizes that “Creativity, community, and collaboration form the heart of everything Block of Horror is and does. We’re building something monumental here—and the community, our Keepers of the Block, will be involved every step of the way.”
The development of a fully integrated mobile experience is anticipated to be released in October 2025.
Visit BlockofHorror.com to check out the trailer and sign up for early access. See you there!
Thank you Melissa for sharing Block of Horror with the community!
It was a pleasure getting to speak to you, and we can’t wait to see what the future holds.
– The Block of Horror Team