Phasmophobia Developer Details Major Reworks For 2026 And The Road To Version 1.0

Developer Kinetic Games has outlined its plans for Phasmophobia, stating that 2026 is poised to be "one of the biggest years in the game's history" as the popular ghost-hunting title moves closer to its official 1.0 release. The studio is focusing on a series of major updates designed to overhaul the player experience, with a core emphasis on creating a more tangible and immersive world for its ghost hunters. This includes significant changes to character models, animations, and one of the game's original maps, all part of the journey toward leaving Early Access.

These upcoming changes are part of the larger "Horror 2.0" initiative, which we first reported on last summer, and will coincide with the game’s official 1.0 launch. After five years in Early Access, the updates are intended to be so substantial that, according to creator Daniel Knight, the experience will feel like an entirely new game. The goal is to refresh the core gameplay loop and recapture the sense of the unknown that made the game's initial release so compelling for players. The extensive rework aims to redefine the horror elements and core mechanics, breathing new life into the ghost-hunting experience that has captivated a massive audience since its debut.

A key part of this push is the Player Character Update, now scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026. This update was initially planned for late 2025 but was delayed to allow for further refinement. The team explained that giving the update "more breathing room to evolve pays off," referencing the successful Chronicle update. The focus is on enhancing the feeling of presence and realism within the game, replacing character models and animations that the team felt could detract from the immersion.

"We’ve created brand new character models, improved animations and fine-tuned how it feels to play Phasmophobia. Our overall aim is to create the most immersive experience we can, and we believe our current player character models and animations can snap (pun intended) you out of the game with a disjointed arm there, a bendy back here. With these changes, our characters will move with more realism and present a more life-like experience for players. This update is a key part of our road to Phasmophobia 1.0, creating the most immersive experience possible."

— The Phasmophobia team

The animation rework extends beyond just the character models. Players will see their characters physically interact with equipment, such as turning on an EMF Reader, and perform actions like opening and closing doors or picking up and dropping items. Brand new animations for player death and revives are also being introduced to add more weight to those critical moments. Kinetic Games shared examples of these new animations on social media, providing a glimpse of the increased detail and physicality that players can expect when the update goes live. These small but significant changes are designed to ground the player in the haunted environments more effectively.

Alongside the character overhaul, the iconic Tanglewood map is receiving a complete rework. This follows the successful redesigns of the farmhouses and the introduction of the new Nell's Diner map. The developers have acknowledged that some players are apprehensive about changes to the game's original home base. They have promised the new design will "provide a similar experience to the one Ghost Hunters know and love to this day while still feeling fresh and exciting." Adding another layer to the familiar location, the team teased that "a mystery lies behind 6 Tanglewood Drive that's just waiting to be uncovered" by observant players, suggesting new environmental storytelling elements will be woven into the map.

In a sign of the company's growth beyond its flagship title, Kinetic Games also recently announced a new venture, Kinetic Publishing. The new publishing arm is actively looking to support small teams and solo developers globally who are working on creative games approximately 12 to 18 months from release, indicating a new chapter for the developer as it expands its footprint in the indie game space.

In an interesting reveal at Summer Game Fest, lead developer Daniel Knight admitted that Phasmophobia was never intended to be a horror game. The original concept was for a cooperative puzzle game focused on teamwork and logic. The terrifying experience that has captivated millions was an accidental byproduct of that initial design, growing organically into one of the most recognizable multiplayer horror titles in recent years.

Last year's major event for Phasmophobia was the Cursed Hollow, which began on April 17, 2025. This Easter-themed update had players searching for hidden Jackalope totems across nine seasonally decorated maps. Interacting with these totems triggered various "eerie effects," some of which were beneficial while others hindered the team's investigation.