Horror Type Tags: Proposed Changes (Take #1)

[thenostalgicmod]

Based on current community feedback as well as some discussion on discord, below are the first set of proposed changes to the initial 9 horror type tags.

While trying to pin down horror types definitively may not be feasible, I really do hope that these tags can function to help better matching between requests and offers in this exchange.

Overlap, as several have pointed out and I completely agree with, is most likely unavoidable. All the same, the intention of these tags is to provide a sort of emphasis on the type of horror that one would want to focus on.

For example, as was raised during a discussion on discord yesterday, zombies could potentially be included in various tags. If Requester A is interested in horror focused on surviving a zombie apocalypse, they may choose Survival Horror as a tag. On the other hand, if Requester B is interested in horror focused on someone's physical features morphing as they turn, they may choose Body Horror as a tag. (And so on.)

With that in mind, please see below for the first set of proposed changes. I hope this addresses some of the main concerns brought up thus far.

Feedback on these proposals is very welcome! I would like to know the community's stance before making any of the changes final.

Modifications to Initial Horror Types:

Monster Horror:

• Horror revolving around a non-human, non-spirit, non-AI creature
  
• Overpowered were-creature, supernatural or eldritch being
  
• Terror, victimization of main character
  
• Attempts to escape, futility of struggles
  
• Monster anatomy, grotesque or horrifying characteristics

Deletions of Initial Horror Types:

None proposed at the moment. But, if the community thinks there are some horror type tags that could be condensed for optimization, this may be implemented. I feel that there should be no more than 15 horror type tags for smoothest running.

Additions of New Horror Types:

Institutional Horror:

• Societal structures or hierarchy as source of horror
  
• Governments, corporations, prisons, military, police, academic institutions
  
• Power differential, abuse of power by entire institution or members
  
• Common-folk at mercy of, misinformed, manipulated by institutions
  
• Psychological elements of suspicion, paranoia, distrust
  

Paranormal Horror:

• Supernatural forces, paranormal beings or events
  
• Ghosts, spirits, possession, spells
  
• Haunted places or objects
  
• Supernatural agency that violates physical laws
  
• Maybe psychic, mystic, telepathy
  

Folk (Rural) Horror:

Several people have expressed interest in this. Despite reading the articles linked below, I feel that my own understanding is a bit muddled.


• TV Tropes: Folk Horror: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/FolkHorror
  
• The Genre of Horror p. 133 (courtesy of Gammarad)
  
• The Guardian: Devils And Debauchery (courtesy of gloss)

I couldn't quite come up with 5 bullet-points to serve as trope guidelines, and would appreciate suggestion from the community for this.
I would also like to know if folk horror and religious horror (one of the initial 9 horror type tags) could be condensed into the folk horror umbrella.

Killer Horror:

• Crime, criminal plot that is source of horror
  
• Solving killings, detectives, investigations
  
• One-on-one killer and victim interactions
  
• Slasher, serial killing, backwoods killing
  
• Focus of horror is on killing, crime, suspense, rather than gore
  

Violent Horror:

TV Topes: Splatter Horror: https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/SplatterHorror

• Splatter horror, gore, graphic violence
  
• Blood, mutilation, dismemberment
  
• Cold-blooded, visceral torture
  
• Vulnerability of the human body
  
• Any deaths are over-the-top bloody, gory
  

Modifications to Character (Medium) Tags:

• Art (Medium) - Not Emphasizing Sexual Content
  
• Art (Medium) - Emphasizing Sexual Content
  
• Fic (Medium) - Not Emphasizing Sexual Content
  
• Fic (Medium) - Emphasizing Sexual Content

For example, if someone wants to request only ESC fic, but is willing to offer both ESC and NESC art, these tags could be used to indicate as such on the sign-up form. The sexual content, if any, would then tie into one of the requested/offered horror type tags.

Comments

[sirvalkyrie]

I love the new categories and the modifications to Monster Horror. I feel like I can give broad guidelines to what I want without it being overly specific.