For 16 years, the realms of the internet and movie theaters have been comically and brutally tormented by the actions of Art the Clown otherwise known asTerrifier. First appearing in the 2008 short filmThe 9th Circleby American filmmaker Damien Leone, Art the Clown has quickly become a popular modern horror slasher icon in the same vein as Michael Myers and Jason Voorhees. Art has so far appeared in the 2011 short filmTerrifier, the 2013 anthology filmAll Hallows’ Eve, the 2016 feature filmTerrifier, 2022’sTerrifier 2, 2024’sTerrifier 3, and a 2021 comic book adaption ofTerrifier 1. However, this horrifying clown will soon terrorize players in the realm of video games with the upcomingTerrifier: The ARTcade Game.
What Gamers Can Expect From Terrifier: The ARTcade Game
Developed by the Spain-based video game company Relevo and published by the Spain-based video game publisher Selecta Play,Terrifier: The ARTcade Gameis the slasher’s first official dive into a video game of his own. First announced in early October,Terrifier: The ARTcade Gameis a pixelated, retro beat ’em upgame similar to the 1989Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtlesand the 1992X-Menarcade games in regard to graphics and gameplay. Here, players will embody Art as he slices his way through police, security guards, and bosses using a variety of brutal attacks and finishers, such as riding on his tricycle, hitting people with a nailed bat, and causing wooden spikes to pop out of the ground.
Players won’t have to go on this pixelated horror ride alone though, asTerrifier: The ARTcade Gamefeatures local co-op multiplayer for up to four players. Alongside Art, gamers can also play asthe Little Pale Girl A.K.A. Emily Crane, Adam Burke the security nurse, and Vicky, the lone survivor of Art’s rampage from the firstTerrifierfeature film. Each character features their own unique attacks and finishers, such as the Little Pale Girl being able to throw knives at foes’ heads and Burke being able to punch foes to death. All the characters will be able to pick up certain weapons throughout the game, such as throwable explosive barrels.
The Story of Terrifier: The ARTcade Game
The ARTcade Gameis expected to be loosely based on theTerrifierfeature films but primarily feature its own narrative. According to the game’s description,Terrifier: The ARTcade Gamewill follow Art and his friends as they attack and disrupt multiple sets of a movie adaptingArt the Clown’s previous carnage. Each of these sets are used to create the wide variety of locations found in the game, with many stages having multiple paths to explore. Beyond the traditional campaign,The ARTcade Gamewill feature five other gamemodes for players to try out. As players wreak havoc on the film sets, they can also listen to a retro-style chiptune soundtrack to further immerse gamers in the pixelated game.
Revelo is known for developing several retro games similar toTerrifier: The ARTcade Gamesuch asBullfighter NEON,Baboon!, andNinja Savior.
Terrifier: The ARTcade Game’s Potential Impact and Legacy
No specific release date forTerrifier: The ARTcade Gamehas been officially announced, however, Relevo is expecting the game to release sometime in 2025.The ARTcade Gameis expected to release on the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Steam, and Xbox series consoles. While Art the Clown has previously appeared in2023’sCall of Duty Modern Warfare 3via the Tracer Pack Terrifier Operator Bundle in September, his first official game could help ensure his legacy as one of horror’s greatest slashers. It could possibly bring in fans of older horror films from the 1980s and 1990s to theTerrifierfan base and increase the franchise’s popularity.
IfTerrifier: The ARTcade Gameis successful both critically and financially, it could inspire Damien Leone to help produce moreTerrifier-themed games or have Art cameo in other popular games. Many horror fans have already called for NetherRealm Studios to add Art as a DLC fighter inMortal Kombat 1or futureMortal Kombatgames, following the announcement of Ghostface as a fighter. Leone could potentially work with IllFonic to develop a more screen-accurateTerrifiervideo game after IllFonic had success with other horror franchises includingFriday the 13th,Predator, andKiller Klowns from Outer Space. With theTerrifierfilms’ success andTerrifier 4already confirmed to be in development, the future may be bright for this dark clown in both the movie and game mediums.
