Silent Hill: Townfall devs used magnets to 'wreck' CRT TVs for analog realism

Screen Burn Interactive is utilizing physical hardware destruction to achieve a precise aesthetic for the upcoming psychological horror title Silent Hill: Townfall. The development team intentionally distorted and "wrecked" vintage cathode-ray tube (CRT) televisions using magnets to capture authentic visual artifacts for the game's primary tool.

This research process was designed to ensure the CRTV—a visual and audio device that replaces the series' traditional radio—feels realistically analog. By recording the actual physical glitches caused by magnetic interference on old screens, the developers created a library of distortions that mirror real-world hardware failure. The CRTV allows players to monitor video signals and audio cues, which are essential for navigating stealth and gameplay challenges.

A Shift in Perspective

Set in Scotland in 1996, Townfall departs from the series' traditional third-person camera in favor of a first-person perspective. This shift is central to the integration of the CRTV, placing the device directly in the player's line of sight. The game is being developed by Screen Burn Interactive and is co-published by Annapurna Interactive and Konami.

Screen Burn Interactive previously established a reputation for focusing on retro technology in titles such as Observation and Stories Untold. For Townfall, the studio sought to evoke a sense of instability. Jon McKellan, Writer and Director at Screen Burn Interactive, noted that in a modern context, analog technology feels unreliable or hard to trust. According to McKellan, the goal was to force players to rely on the device for survival while simultaneously feeling uneasy about that dependence.

The Appeal of Analog Horror

This commitment to physical research reflects a broader trend toward "lo-fi" and analog horror aesthetics in the gaming industry. By grounding digital effects in real-world physical distortion rather than relying solely on software filters, the developers aim to heighten the player's sense of dread. The result is a survival tool that feels precarious, mirroring the psychological instability of the game's environment.

Launch Details

Silent Hill: Townfall is scheduled to launch on September 24, 2026. The title will be available on PlayStation 5 and PC, bringing its first-person approach to the long-running horror franchise.