In Neverwinter Nights 2 you can befriend a gigantic spider - so I think it should go under 'spiders' along with NVN 1 :)

I hate spiders....in my house, car or around me that is. As long as they stay outside and continue to eat other bugs I hate, they're fine. But if I see one anywhere near me, I cannot sleep until it has met a quick crunching death. I've tore out everything off the computer desk to find one night, then left everything out on the floor until the next day. I slept good though at least. At work I've seen them as big as the palm of my hand. I spray them with brake cleaner and chuckle with an evil laughter.

On the other hand. Video game spiders seem cool to me. I think it's just the artwork style I like on them. I've even had spiders for my wallpaper (PC of course) just because I liked the artwork. Did not like the sword spiders or phase spiders in Baldur's Gate though. They just annoyed me like no other.

But if I see a mean looking spider, I cannot get on with my life until I know it is dead. The early months of winter are pure hell for me.

On the topic of spiders; or bugs I guess. I'm sure we've all heard that the average candy bar has 8 insect legs in it. Ever sit there staring at that candy bar and wondered how many legs were in it? Or did you just smile thinking..... Spiders - 0, Me - 1 as you take another bite.

Deus ex has spider security robots, easily avoidable though.

Can people actually be frightened by digital spiders?

Yes, people can be frightened by digital spiders. One of my friends had serious issues with the spiders in Dark Messiah of Might and Magic. It may sound crazy, but it's true.

I think spiders are cool! Many spider species are actually quite beautiful, not to mention how extremely important they are to ecosystems in general.

I call this BS. I'm frightened of dogs. Any dog around and I run, hide, whatever, but whenever I have the chance of encountering one in video games, it's revenge time.

People who don't have phobias don't understand them. We don't fear spiders in real life because they can hurt us. In fact, there are few dangerous species of spiders we'll encounter in our lives. We know spiders are afraid of humans. It's their appearance and movement that triggers a very primal fear that can't be controlled – merely looking at a spider, whether a real one or in digital form, is enough. It's wholly irrational, so it can't be simply brushed aside. It can't really be helped except with therapy.

I avoid games with spiders and I only have a mild form of arachnophobia. In games their anatomy is exaggerated so that they're even more menacing. People who try to reassure arachnophobes by saying "it won't bite you" or "it's just an image on the screen" are missing the entire point.

You should see how I react to dogs to really understand whether I'm just scared or it is actual fear.

I can't believe that noone mentioned Bad Mojo. Definitely on the Avoid-list for arachnophobes.

Nox and Icewind Dale also have spiders...

Eye of the Beholder 2 should have a special note for a spider-related jump scare. I've known about that jump scare for ages, I'm not even afraid of RL spiders, and it still never fails to freak me out.

Spiders are the main enemy in Don't Starve. They are cartoony but still creepy.
I don't have the DLC, but as far as I know you can play as a spider-like character.

As always, thanks very much for their contributions, very helpful! I added the newest suggestions and corrected a few mistakes.

A special request: usually I wouldn't think realistic first person shooters (I imagine something like Hexen would) would have any spiders in cutscenes or graphics, but you never know. Anyone ever run into one that uses a spider unexpectedly?

Which reminds me, I should add Arx Fatalis to the list. Or at least, I think it was Arx Fatalis. Maybe it was Anachronox, one or the other of those two had really nasty spiders, but I can't remember which. :\

Based on GOG screenshots, there are spiders in Arx Fatalis.

The concept of this thread is VERY funny.