Infestation - Games

Infestation in games often represents a creeping, systemic threat that transforms environments and mechanics. It manifests as spreading corruption in strategy titles, parasitic enemies in survival horror, or resource-draining blights in management sims. This design element creates dynamic tension, forcing players to adapt to ever-worsening conditions. Symbolically, infestations explore themes of loss of control, ecological collapse, or psychological decay. Effective implementations make the infestation feel alive—spreading through predictable patterns yet retaining enough randomness to surprise. It's a versatile tool for escalating stakes without relying on traditional difficulty spikes, instead challenging players to solve problems while their resources or safe spaces steadily diminish.