Red Barrels
Run and hide
Canadian indie studio Red Barrels created the Outlast series, revitalising first-person survival horror with a focus on vulnerability and tension.
Overview
Red Barrels was founded by industry veterans who had worked on major franchises at Ubisoft and EA. Their debut title Outlast stripped away combat to create pure survival horror—players could only run, hide, and use a night-vision camcorder. The approach resonated with horror fans and YouTube audiences alike.
Fast facts
- Founded: 2011 in Montreal, Canada.
- Founders: Philippe Morin, David Chateauneuf, Hugo Dallaire.
- Background: founders worked on Assassin’s Creed, Prince of Persia, Splinter Cell.
- Debut: Outlast (2013).
- Series: Outlast, Outlast: Whistleblower, Outlast 2, The Outlast Trials.
The Outlast formula
What defined the series:
- No weapons: running and hiding are the only options.
- Night vision: camcorder creates tension through limited battery.
- Found footage aesthetic: documentary-style immersion.
- Extreme content: deliberately disturbing imagery.
Let’s Play phenomenon
YouTube amplified success:
- Streamer reactions: horror content thrives on streaming.
- Viral moments: memorable scares spread across platforms.
- Marketing: organic publicity through content creators.