I usually don’t comment on speculation, as i’ve learned that going into something with any sort of expectation is what murders enjoyment. I do love to follow along, I love knowing what is coming ahead of the GP, but I recognize that its an ever-changing event behind the scenes. I could’ve even written a dissertation about how bummed I was that NoES ended up on the cutting room floor (if it was even in the room to begin with) because it’s the first horror movie I watched when I was 8 years old. But at the end of the day, it wasn’t announced, the only thing I’m bothered by is that the speculation was wrong.
I’ve been going to HHN every year since 2010, haven’t missed a single year including HHN Lite, and I plan to go every year after that regardless. I know for some, IPs may make a difference, but at the end of the day, the creative team knows what they are doing.
I’m not trying to say that we can’t have opinions, everyone has one. Chucky was my most anticipated house last year and we know how that turned out; even though I did moderately enjoy it more than some others. Darkest Deal last year was the one house during spec season that I thought, yeah I really don’t know how that’s gonna work out, but still went in with an open mind because year after year this team puts together amazing (for the most part) houses that are just fun to go through. I just go into things with an open mind. They almost always have at least 1 thing that will cater to any specific taste.
Once we go through these houses, thats where we can discuss the success or failure of a house/scarezone by the actual product that they delivered, as opposed to the idea we create of what we think they should do.
Tldr;
Let A&D cook, judge it when you taste the dish