Outlast playtester ran out crying and never came back

A small anecdote with a bigger lesson: Outlast designer Philippe Morin has said that one playtester was so upset by the horror series that they ran out of the studio to go cry outside and did not return.

What stands out to me is Morin's emphasis on transparency. He says the team always makes sure people are fully aware of the kind of content they create. For studios building intense experiences, clear expectations are part of responsible design, and they help protect both players and the team's reputation.

The story also highlights how much emotional impact interactive media can have, which is a useful reminder for anyone working on user experience, testing or content design. Playtesting is not just about finding bugs. It is also about understanding how people actually feel.

How do you think studios should balance creative intensity with clear audience warnings? I'd be curious to hear from designers, testers and players.