# Playful Gore Macabre references extend into toys to reflect ongoing media saturation. By [Tana Makmanee](https://www.trendhunter.com/tmak), SVP, Research Services at Trend Hunter | Published Mar 23, 2014, updated Apr 9, 2014 | Category: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/life-stages) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/playful-gore ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.7/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## What is the Playful Gore trend? **Playful Gore:** With mass media serving as a source of influence for developing youths, a turn toward more bizarre and eclectic toys has emerged to reflect the normality of violence and gore on TV and in movies. This shift in consumer desire is born out of a desensitization of both older and younger minds. Ultimately, today's consumer is harder to shock and thus, harder to entertain unless an element of the dark or shocking is involved. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Jan 21, 2012 to Jul 17, 2014 - Published: Mar 23, 2014 - Patterns: [Cyclicality](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/cyclicality), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Gamification](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/gamification), [Nostalgia](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/nostalgia), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 70% men, 30% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Playful Gore trend ### Desensitization to Violence and Gore A turn toward more bizarre and eclectic toys has emerged to reflect the normality of violence and gore on TV and in movies, which presents an opportunity for toy designers to create more unique and macabre creations. ### Zombie Culture Popularity Zombies are taking over pop culture from film to television to books and now in the world of toys, and businesses should leverage this trend to create products that will appeal to this growing market. ### Remixed Versions of Popular Pop Culture Characters Trends of remixing popular pop culture characters in an unexpected way present an opportunity for toy designers to create unique and exciting collections such as the Kidrobot x The Simpsons zombie family pack. ## What the Playful Gore trend means for industry ### For Toy Design Toy designers can capitalize on trends towards desensitization to violence and gore, and remixing popular pop culture characters to create novel and unique products. ### For Zombie Culture Merchandise The growing popularity of zombie culture across various industries presents an opportunity for businesses to create merchandise that appeals to this market. ### For Comic Con Exclusives Comic Con exclusives present an opportunity for toy designers and businesses to create limited edition products that excite collectors and fans. ## Trend signals for Playful Gore Trend score 3.7 out of 10, from popularity 47%, activity 56%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 47% - Activity: 56% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Playful Gore trend 8 featured examples from Jan 21, 2012 to Jul 17, 2014. - [Romantically Gruesome Plushies](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unusual-valentine-gift): Felt Monsters and Eyeballs Make for an Unusual Valentine Gift (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The e-commerce industry can explore the market for unconventional Valentine's Day gifts, delivering unique experiences to customers. - [Zombified Iconic Cartoon Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kidrobot-x-the-simpsons): The Kidrobot x The Simpsons Zombie Toys Transform the Beloved Family (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunities in the toy industry lie in creating novel interpretations of well-known characters, appealing to fans of both nostalgia and novelty. - [Cuddly Killer Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walking-dead-toys): These Walking Dead Toys by Funko Make Zombie Culture Adorable (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can embrace the popularity of zombie culture and expand into more unconventional and dark themes, as seen with Funko's Walking Dead toy collection. - [Horror-Inspired Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/michelle-coffee): The Michelle Coffee Halloween Plush Toys are Scary (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can develop new lines of horror-inspired toys, such as the Bunny Krueger Plush and Zombie Corn Plush. - [Hand-Made Undead Dolls](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zombie-dolls): These Zombie Dolls Come with Removable Guts (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: A niche market for artisans to create and sell unique handmade zombie dolls and other zombie-related merchandise. - [DIY Undead Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/zombie-customizable-action-figure-kit): The Zombie Customizable Action Figure Kit Encourages Scary Creativity (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: Toy manufacturers can capitalize on the growing demand for customizable action figures like the DIY Zombie Customizable Action Figure Kit, by offering more options for customizati… - [Zombie Survival Board Games](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-walking-dead-monopoly): With the Walking Dead Monopoly You Risk Losing More Than Your Money (Category: Pop Culture) Implication: Manufacturers can tap into the growing demand for unique and immersive board games, specifically in the zombie and horror genre. - [Illuminating Zombie Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/van-beater): Van Beater's Glow-in-the-Dark Crapzombies are Exclusive for Comic-Con (Category: Life-Stages) Implication: The toy industry can tap into the popularity of collectibles and limited edition merchandise to create new streams of revenue. ## Recent trend clusters - [Constructible Franchises](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/constructible-franchises) (Life-Stages) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Life-Stages - [Retro Graphic Tees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nostalgic-graphic-tees) - [Screen-Free Kids Phones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/screen-free-kids-phones) - [Edible Oil-Based Lubes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coco-lube) - [Women's Health-Focused Probiotic Supplements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/womens-health-probiotic-capsules) All articles: [Life-Stages](https://www.trendhunter.com/life-stages)