Internet myths and stories, like creepypastas and fan fictions, are plentiful across various different wikis and other databases. One particular mythos that’s uniquely tied to internet culture and its community is theSCP Foundation, a collaborative web-fiction project dedicated to the paranormal. Stories from theSCPuniverse range from a disturbing sculpture hellbent on killing humans (“SCP-173”), to an infinite IKEA store that has no corporeal restrictions within the building itself (“SCP-3008”). Fiction based in the SCP world ranges from deranged horror to societal satire, and served as one of the primary inspirations behind Remedy Entertainment’sControl.
Both theSCP FoundationandControltoy with the concept of the supernatural attaching and inserting itself into objects found in real, everyday life. The two share a lot of thematic and conceptual similarities, from physical objects from society taking on supernatural capabilities, to unexplainable incidents in life that are covered up. WhileControlis a centralized narrative compared to the massiveSCPuniverse, there are several short stories contained within theSCPuniverse as well. Both toy with elements of horror mixed in with elements of satire or ridiculousness that never takes itself too seriously, but is simultaneously compelling and engrossing.
The Origins and Themes of the SCP Foundation Web-Fiction
Of course, for a linear singleplayer experience, it’s impossible to encompass the same scope that theSCP Foundationboasts after 13 years on the internet. However, much ofControl’s world and lore is based on the manySCP Foundationarticles and stories that have accumulated a cult following on the internet. TheSCP Foundationwebsite and community was initially founded in 2008 after one of the firstSCParticles went viral from 4chan.SCPFoundationlaunched its own wiki after the “SCP-173"creepypastaspawned a number of additional short stories set in that same universe. Today, theSCP Foundationwiki boasts over 6,000 different short stories.
SCP Foundation’s ever-expanding myths continue to grow to this day, because the premise of theSCPuniverse is wholly unique for creative writing. The S.C.P. acronym applies in multiple volumes, but primarily stands for “Secure, Contain, Protect.” This fictional organization is a clandestine group that operates independently, seeking to enforce “special containment procedures” on any entities in the world that violate known laws of nature. This could be in reference to any object, place, or unidentifiable figure/entity that is capable of unnatural abilities.The Foundation collects and stores all known “SCPs"securely to research them and protect humanity.
Control Wears its SCP Inspirations On its Sleeve
Foranyone who’s playedControl, a lot of these themes are going to sound very familiar. Much of the conceptual ideas behind the Federal Bureau of Control, Objects of Power, and Altered World Events are based onSCP Foundationconcepts and stories. WhileSCPlore never really makes it clear what or who founded the organization,Control’s version frames it as an extension of the United States government; Federal Bureau of Control. Objects of Power are essentially objects that confer unto users unpredictable, unworldly abilities. Altered World Events (AWEs) denominate events in which supernatural disturbances occur.
However, these similar concepts and ideas act in service toControl’s world-building, framing the peculiar situation that players find themselves in. Jesse Faden,Control’s protagonist, finds herself investigating the FBC in search of her younger brother Dylan. Dylan disappeared after him and Jesse found themselves at the center of an AWE, and he was later kidnapped by the FBC as Jesse fled. Jesse soon finds out she is guided to the FBC by a supernatural being called Polaris, who joined with her after the AWE, because she is selected to become the FBC’s new director. Frankly,summarizing the plot doesn’t doControl’s actual story justice, as it’s strangely compelling.
Control is Arguably the Best Introduction to the SCP Mythology
In the way that theSCP Foundationhas built up a world of lore over years of contributions, the FBC inControlframes a linear story around that internet mythology. Obviously Objects of Power, AWEs, andthe Federal Bureau of Control are clear nods toSCPand the many sub-storieswithin that universe. Jesse Faden’s journey through the Federal Bureau of Control almost acts a sort-of museum or vertical slice to what theSCP Foundation’s mythology is all about. If anything,ControlmakesSCPlore palatable in a way not many other stories have been able to do previously. Jesse’s journey throughoutControlis the closest representation in media to actualSCPlore.
This is without even praisingControl’s gameplay, which is an interesting blend between third-person shooter and superhero-style action games. Players utilize the “Service Weapon” Object of Power to blast away atthe villainous “Hiss” entity that plagues the FBC’s Old Houseand its workers, all while gaining superpowers in the process.Controlreally is an incredible game that initially put off many potential players because they didn’t understandwhatthe game actually was.Controlwears itsSCP Foundationinspirations on its sleeve, but in a way, it also represents the best way to get intoSCP Foundation’s world in a way most other methods haven’t done before.
Controlis available now on PC, PS4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. The PS5 and Xbox Series X/S versions release on July 12, 2025.
