WHITE screen crossfading effect during paying game

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Maybe they use that effect, because it's the only way for a horror game to make the player feel real, physical pain? The only other way would be sound and someone could sue them for ruining his eardrums.

... ok seriously I have no clue. I think the idea is to make the player flinch, so he's doing the same thing the protagonist is doing as the sudden flashback enters his mind. A way to make the player feel more immersed and connected to the main character - only it's not really working because it's just perceived as annoying after a while.