Titanic submersible catastrophic implosion has chilling similarities with horror videogame Iron Lung
The tragedy surrounding the disappearance and presumed implosion of the Titanic submersible has inadvertently brought attention to David Szymanski's indie horror game, Iron Lung. Szymanski has has expressed mixed feelings about the newfound popularity of his videogame.
What
Known for his creations that straddled the line between horror and comedy, David Szymanski had a unique ability to craft nightmares that tickled the funny bone.
His latest creation, the chilling game Iron Lung, was causing quite a stir in the gaming community as he didn't anticipate his nightmare scenario being realised in such a devastating way.
"Yeah mom it's been a weird day. Well, it's a bit hard to explain..." pic.twitter.com/39VfRi4qas
— David Szymanski (@DUSKdev) June 20, 2023
Iron Lung, which is set to be adapted into a film by popular creator Markiplier, immerses players in an eerie premise. Taking control of a convict trapped within a claustrophobic submersible, players must navigate an ocean of blood in search of crucial resources for humanity's survival. The odds of survival are stacked against them.
Skyrocketing popularity after Titanic submersible disaster
As the search for the Titan submersible unfolded, the game's popularity skyrocketed.
Reviews flooded in, drawing humorous connections between the Logitech F710, the gamepad used to control the doomed Titan, and the exorbitant $250,000 price tag paid by passengers eager to glimpse the wreckage of the Titanic. One witty reviewer remarked, "I couldn't afford a submarine adventure, so I settled for 'Iron Lung'."
This feels so wrong pic.twitter.com/SMAKC6sOfH
— David Szymanski (@DUSKdev) June 21, 2023
While Szymanski appreciated the recognition, he couldn't help but feel uneasy. This wasn't the kind of publicity he had hoped for. He noticed the game trending on Twitter and observed a significant increase in sales, roughly 200% higher than the previous day.
The sudden spike in sales and attention brought mixed emotions. He acknowledged the irony of his creation gaining fame during a real-life disaster but couldn't shake the disconcerting feeling that his nightmare had somehow materialised.
Naw I just made up a scenario involving a sub that was as nightmarish as I could dream up.
— David Szymanski (@DUSKdev) June 21, 2023
In an interview with Insider, Szymanski expressed his conflicted sentiments. He confessed that although he was glad his game had reached such a wide audience, he didn't take pleasure in the circumstances. "This isn't a nightmare I'd ever have wanted to see come to life for anyone," he lamented.
For Szymanski, Iron Lung was a nightmarish concoction born from his vivid imagination. Its premise, exploring an ocean of blood for vital resources within a tiny submersible, was a far cry from the harrowing reality faced by the Titan sub. He found it surreal and frightening to see his fantastical creation somehow intersect with a calamity caused by a blend of poor decisions and excessive wealth.
David Szymanski: In my game, I created the Iron Lung as a cautionary tale.
— 人造H04K0 (@HelloH04K0) June 20, 2023
Billionaires: At long last, we have created the Iron Lung from the classic sci-fi game Don't Create the Iron Lung pic.twitter.com/cb2hZrycYz
Szymanski believed that people were drawn to the tragic situation surrounding the Titan submersible due to its inherent horror, the uncertain fate it faced, and the dark humour found in the series of red flags and ill-advised choices that led to the catastrophe.
Like all the jokes I've been seeing are hilarious but also good lord nobody should have to die like that.
— David Szymanski (@DUSKdev) June 21, 2023
However, Szymanski emphasised the importance of remembering that real people were suffering, urging compassion and empathy even in our collective processing of dark events.
The OceanGate Titanic Expedition submersible Titan went missing on June 18, and after a four-day search involving US and Canada, was found to have had a catastrophic implosion. All five people onboard the Titan were believed dead, said the tour company in a statement on June 22.