I was only comparing them based on the website alone and my perception of what those houses and scares zones were or will be. I get that they used to try to build a little more interactivity on the website and build a little more story to get people excited. Looking at todays website in contrast to that one it's just a list of what will be at the event. Ultimately though HHN is an event not a website and promo art so I don't really care too much about the events representation. It's interesting to me that they hold scare zones up to the same level as houses as you click through it goes through them and scare zones are mixed with houses. If I were just a casual observer I might think that the scare zones were houses. To me scare zones and magic shows are filler, it's important to have that kind of filler for a well rounded event but we all know the reason people go is for the houses. In that regard I think HHN25 is giving us more than they have before.
Here's the thing - and I don't know how else to say this - it cost very little to add the "clickables" and backstories, since almost all of it was done in-house. They usually outsourced the games and honestly care far less about them and agree it's probably an unnecessary expense. People will show up to HHN no matter what barring an economic or natural disaster: doesn't matter if there's IPs, doesn't matter if there's a cool website. The name has enough riding on it that people will show up.
Because people will show up no matter what, why not just throw A&D a bone, let them throw a few things together, and please the fanbase? It costs them drops in the bucket and makes their biggest supporters very happy. By cutting the little stuff that put HHN on the map, the stuff that made it different and made us diehard fans in the first place, you're alienating us and constantly saying "so what? We've got you on a leash." And yeah... to an extent they're right. But I've watched many of the oldest members of this community opt out over the years, and I don't blame them. I didn't go last year, and I could've easily afforded it. To be honest, this is probably my last year in Orlando until there's major changes.
Presentation of elements is important. Scare zones are considered to be (and are marketed as) attractions, because they're unique offerings. The lack of art for them is a copout. It says very clearly on the website whether or not something was a scare zone or a house, so I doubt there was much confusion, or at least no more than the basic "where's the Tower of Terror" you get from general public joe schmoes who don't know any better.
People go for the houses, but the event isn't "8 or so houses at Universal Studios," it's HALLOWEEN HORROR NIGHTS. The full, encompassing experience is important - that includes everything from the drive to the park, the line to get in, the houses, the zones, Bill & Ted, other shows, drinks, and everything else. You begin to chip away at those other elements and you get less and less, despite the fact that we're now paying more than ever.
In short, you can be satisfied with less, but I won't be, and I think you're doing yourself a disservice by not demanding more.
