Video Games
Success of ‘Phasmophobia’ Prompts Developer to Change Plans For Early Access
If you were sleeping on Kinetic Games’ cooperative ghost-hunting game Phasmophobia, you’re weren’t alone. The game has become an overnight success for the developer, so much so that they’ve had to “reconsider” their original plans for the game’s future in Early Access.
IGN reached out to Kinetic Games and its sole developer, Dknighter, regarding Phasmophobia, which will now have its plans changed to remain in Early Access longer than what was originally planned. “I was originally planning the Early Access to be short”, explains Dknighter, “where I just add a few more maps, ghost types and equipment. However, due to the game’s popularity, everyone’s expectations are increased so I am going to have to reconsider my plans for the game’s future.”
While Dknighter didn’t elaborate on what those plans would be, the developer is looking to focus more on tweaking existing features at the moment, rather than add new ones. “At the moment my only focus is getting the major bugs fixed before I begin working on new content. These bug fixes would usually be sent out when they are ready but, due to me having to update a lot of the game’s code, a lot of new systems need testing, so the next update will be a big stability and bug fix update.”
In case you were wondering just how big of a surprise Phasmophobia has been, Dknighter put it this way: “I was planning for the server capacity hitting a maximum of 500 players on launch day and it to drop off from there, as well as only aiming to make enough money to keep making more games. Now the game has over 2 million sales, with a player peak of around 90k.”
The story for Phasmophobia has you and three other players as paranormal investigators. You must enter haunted locations filled with paranormal activity and gather as much evidence of the paranormal as you can. You will use your ghost hunting equipment to search for and record evidence of whatever ghost is haunting the location to sell onto a ghost removal team. You can choose to support your team by monitoring the location with CCTV cameras and motion sensors from the safety of the truck, or head inside and get your hands dirty with the ghostly activity that will get increasingly hostile as time goes on.
You can grab Phasmophobia on Steam.
For those keen on following up on our mid-year best-of list for video games, iam8bit and Yacht Club Games are teaming up in a new collection for Mina the Hollower, which not only brings the game’s iconic soundtrack by Jake Kaufman and Yuzo Koshiro to vinyl, but also offers fans some cool merchandise.
Available for pre-order now at iam8bit, the Mina the Hollower Collection includes the soundtrack on 3xLP ($64.99), a notebook ($19.99) and a Keychain Blind Box ($14.99). Those fans looking to have it all can pick up the entire collection in a vinyl bundle with the Mina the Hollower: Bone Up Bundle Edition. All products are available for pre-order today through August 17, with plans to ship in Q4 2026.
The Mina the Hollower vinyl soundtrack is pressed on rich Velvet Purple Splatter Vinyl, and features retro-inspired zoetrope artwork designed by Nimit Malava. The soundtrack also comes with a pair of special 3D glasses that enhances the cover art, paying homage to the retro nostalgia of the old-school, chip-tastic tracks composed by Yacht Club Games’ Jake Kaufman and Yuzo Koshiro.
iam8bit also offers up a series of collectible keychains as part of a Blind Box set. Those who purchase will receive one of six randomized Mina designs rendered in high-quality, squishy PVC rubber, with a Secret Chase Rare in the mix for some lucky buyers. Keychains are available to purchase individually or bundled in a set of three, and purchasing the bundle guarantees three unique keychains.
Lastly, there’s the Mina the Hollower Notebook, a 240-page notebook that replicates Mina’s in-game journal and is brought to life in a forest green faux-leather, with beautiful gold embellishments on its cover.
As mentioned, for completionists, you can grab the entire collection in the Mina the Hollower: Bone Up Bundle Edition, ($89.99). The bundle comes with the soundtrack, one Keychain Blind Box and Notebook.
And if you haven’t jumped into Mina the Hollower, you can find the game on PC via Steam and GOG, PlayStation 5, the Xbox Series and Nintendo Switch 2.
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