The phrase denotes a variation of the basic sport of Tic-Tac-Toe imbued with components supposed to evoke concern or unease. This could manifest via visible design, sound results, narratives included into the gameplay, or surprising occurrences inside the software itself. One instance may contain a normal Tic-Tac-Toe grid introduced with a darkish and unsettling aesthetic, accompanied by jarring sound cues upon every participant motion, or incorporating jumpscares at random intervals.
The attraction of such a modified sport usually stems from its capability to mix acquainted gameplay with the joys of horror. The sport can function a short and simply accessible supply of leisure, notably for people searching for a lighthearted but unsettling expertise. Traditionally, modifying easy video games to incorporate horror themes has been a recurring development in digital leisure, capitalizing on pre-existing familiarity to reinforce the impression of the horrifying components. This mixing of genres affords a novel alternative to interact with a standard pastime in a novel and unsettling method.