Video Games
Player Character Update Now Available for ‘Phasmophobia’ [Trailer]
Kinetic Games has followed through with last week’s announcement, releasing the Player Character Update today for Phasmophobia as a free update across all platforms. Thanks to the update, players are now able to experience more immersive hunts with a host of changes ahead of the game’s 1.0 launch, including completely revamped character models with new animations, customisation options and more.
“Whilst the old character models have their own charm, the Player Character Update will make ghost hunts even more immersive,” explains Corey Dixon, Art Director at Kinetic Games. “Movements feel more realistic with new animations, and even though we’re saying goodbye to the bendy backs, we hope the extra scares make up for it!”
The biggest change with the update is that players will now have a body. Teammates can now see what other ghost hunters are holding without needing to ask, for example. New animations have also been added, introducing more dynamic, realistic movements, while getting rid of the previous animation jank to keep the immersion consistent. There are also new death, revival and EMF animations, which were previously teased in the 2026 roadmap.
The update also expands personalisation in Phasmophobia, with 12 new character models to choose from, each customisable with clothing, hair colour, accessories and more. All cosmetics can either be unlocked through gameplay challenges, or purchased via the in-game store in the lobby, which will be entirely run on in-game currency. New items will be added in future updates.
Interactions have also been enhanced, with unique animations for equipment and objects. This includes the Journal, which will now feature in-game when used rather than as a separate UI item.
Lastly, players receive a new item in the watch, can now also be accessed during investigations via the Journal or when the player’s left hand is empty. The watch allows players to monitor their sanity levels, while also keeping track of time elapsed during a contract.
And don’t forget about the upcoming Alan Wake 2 crossover event, which kicks off on May 12, and goes until June 2.
Netflix continues to venture into video games, announcing Unhinged, an immersive horror game that will launch on the streaming service on June 30. Developed by Night School Studio (the folks behind Oxenfree and its sequel), the play-on-TV game stars Zoë Kravitz, Sadie Sink, and for video game fans, voice actor Troy Baker.
Unhinged centres around a woman named Ava (voiced by Kravitz), who is trapped inside her apartment building by a Category 5 Hurricane. Her only link to the outside is a call from her best friend Claire (voiced by Sink), who lives across the street.
Things however take a darker turn, as the suffocating uneasiness transforms her home into a hostile prison. The building’s stairwell is locked shut, and a wellness check on a neighbor reveals unsettling signs of life, but no answer. Ava soon realizes that she is no longer alone.
Playing Unhinged has you selecting the game from the Netflix Games row and scan the onscreen QR code to link your smartphone as a controller. From there, the real-world movements on your phone track with Ava’s hands in the game, allowing you to guide her flashlight through the shadows.
The immersion goes a step further with the game’s audio. When Ava receives a call or text, your actual phone rings, vibrates, and plays the audio directly through its speaker, while the rest of the environmental sound effects come through your TV.
If you want a pure narrative experience, Unhinged offers a Story Mode which features no timer, so it prevents you from dying and lets you just play through the story. In Standard Mode, you must exercise your reflexes. During high-stakes moments, a shrinking timer bar at the top of the screen forces you to quickly scan the room for an interactive object.
If you can’t find what you need before the time runs out, you will die.
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