According to Eurogamer.net, Phasmophobia creator Kinetic Games is launching a new indie publishing division called Kinetic Publishing. Founder Daniel Knight, who struggled with the business side after the game’s unexpected success, aims to assist small teams and solo developers who are 12-18 months from release. The publishing arm explicitly bans blockchain, web3, or AI-generated games. Meanwhile, Kinetic’s core team of 30 people is focused on finally delivering Phasmophobia’s 1.0 version, which has been in early access for over five years. The studio confirmed the full launch is set for 2026 across all platforms, with a major “horror update” planned as the centerpiece.
From Solo Struggle to Support System
Here’s the thing about runaway indie success: it’s a nightmare to manage. I remember reading Knight’s story about being overwhelmed by server costs and company paperwork. It’s the classic developer’s trap—your dream project blows up, and suddenly you’re an accidental CEO instead of a creator. So this publishing move feels deeply personal. He’s basically building the support structure he never had. The fact that the Kinetic Publishing page rules out blockchain and AI-generated stuff is interesting, too. It signals a focus on traditional, “handcrafted” creative vision. He’s not chasing trends; he’s looking for the next Phasmophobia—a game with a clear, unique hook that just needs a logistical backbone.
The Long Road to 1.0
Five years in early access is a lifetime in gaming. But for Phasmophobia, it worked. The game built a massive community on Steam through constant updates. Announcing a 2026 release for 1.0 is a bold move, though. It sets a two-year horizon, which manages expectations but also asks for a lot of patience. Calling the final horror update “meaty” and aiming to recapture the scare factor of the original release? That’s a high bar. They’re promising to fulfill their original vision, which is a powerful statement after half a decade of iteration. You have to wonder: can a game that’s already so popular really surprise its veteran players again? The pressure is on.
A Delicate Balancing Act
So now Kinetic is trying to do two huge things at once: ship their defining title’s 1.0 and launch a publisher. It’s a classic “use your success to fund the next phase” play. But it’s risky. The biggest danger is distraction. The team needs to stay laser-focused on Phasmophobia’s final push. If the publishing arm starts sucking up resources or attention, fans will notice. The upside is huge, though. If they can successfully publish another indie horror hit, it transforms Kinetic from a one-hit wonder studio into a sustainable horror gaming hub. They’ll have proven they can both make and cultivate hits. That’s a whole different league.
What It Means for Indie Horror
Look, the indie publishing space is crowded. But a publisher run by someone who’s literally lived the indie horror Cinderella story? That has unique appeal. Knight’s pitch isn’t about massive marketing budgets; it’s about “we handled the admin hell so you don’t have to.” For a solo dev drowning in tax forms, that’s powerful. This could mean we see more polished, focused horror games from small teams who just needed that business support. In a way, Kinetic Publishing is an attempt to institutionalize the lessons from Phasmophobia’s chaotic rise. If it works, it could lift up the next generation of horror creators. And that’s a legacy worth building, as long as the ghost-hunting cash cow gets the send-off it deserves first.
