In the midst of a resurging cultural obsession with vampires, Brooklyn-based SMERC has released Fangs, a multiplayer horror-themed “who-done-it” designed exclusively for Facebook. The title is a casual game that borrows from reality TV competitions, where players are encouraged to compete aggressively and act mercilessly in order to vote off their opponents. It also emphasizes chat and social connectivity, highlighting communication as a key feature to successful game play.

Fangs takes place in alternating “daytime” and “nighttime” rounds, within which players are challenged to uncover whom among them is a thirsty bloodsucker and who is just an innocent high school student. “Student” players must choose one alleged “vampire” to “stake” during a daytime round. Conversely, at night, the “vampires” can convene to decide whom to drain of their precious blood. Players win by surviving each round and outlasting their opponents, and are subsequently rewarded with credits, which can be used to trade for life saving power-ups (“garlic” and “stake-proof vests”). A player’s unused credits roll over from game to game, encouraging repeat play.