The acclaimed creator behind groundbreaking interactive narrative experiences Her Story and Immortality has officially unveiled his next ambitious project. Sam Barlow and his development studio Half Mermaid have announced Precognition, a sci-fi horror game that promises to push the boundaries of video-based storytelling once again. The title is scheduled for release in spring 2028 and marks a significant collaboration with filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg, known for his unsettling body horror films Possessor and Infinity Pool.
Precognition will be published as one of the inaugural titles from Kinetic Games’ newly established publishing label. Kinetic Games, the company behind the wildly successful paranormal investigation game Phasmophobia, is expanding its reach into publishing, and securing a project from one of the industry’s most innovative narrative designers represents a strong statement of intent. The partnership brings together two creative forces known for delivering deeply atmospheric and psychologically disturbing experiences.
A New Evolution in Video-Based Gaming
Sam Barlow has carved out a unique niche in the gaming industry with his innovative approach to interactive storytelling. His 2015 breakout hit Her Story revolutionized the detective game genre by presenting players with a database of police interview clips that needed to be searched and pieced together to uncover the truth behind a woman’s missing husband. The game earned widespread critical acclaim and demonstrated that full-motion video could be used in sophisticated, artistically meaningful ways. Immortality, released in 2022, expanded on this formula by tasking players with investigating the disappearance of a fictional actress across three unreleased films spanning decades, incorporating supernatural elements and complex narrative layers.
With Precognition, Barlow appears to be taking his signature video-scouring mechanics into entirely new territory. The game’s central premise revolves around players not only viewing footage but actively changing the future based on what they see. This suggests a significant gameplay evolution that moves beyond passive investigation into active intervention within the narrative timeline. The science fiction setting combined with horror elements indicates a darker, more disturbing experience than Barlow’s previous work, though his games have never shied away from unsettling subject matter.
Brandon Cronenberg Brings Body Horror Expertise
The collaboration with Brandon Cronenberg adds considerable artistic weight to the project. The Canadian filmmaker has established himself as a master of cerebral body horror, following in the footsteps of his legendary father David Cronenberg while developing his own distinctive voice. His 2020 film Possessor explored themes of consciousness transfer and corporate assassination, while 2023’s Infinity Pool delved into the disturbing implications of cloning technology among wealthy tourists. Both films demonstrated Cronenberg’s ability to blend visceral horror with philosophical questions about identity and human nature.
Cronenberg’s involvement suggests that Precognition will feature strong cinematic qualities and potentially explore similar thematic territory around consciousness, perception, and the nature of reality. The intersection of filmmaking and game development has become increasingly common in narrative-focused titles, but having a director of Cronenberg’s caliber actively collaborating rather than simply licensing intellectual property represents a deeper integration of cinematic expertise. This partnership reflects a broader trend in the industry toward treating games as serious artistic endeavors worthy of top-tier creative talent.
Kinetic Games Expands Into Publishing
The announcement also signals an important business development within the independent gaming space. Kinetic Games built its reputation on Phasmophobia, an early access ghost hunting game that became a massive success through streaming platforms and word-of-mouth enthusiasm. The company’s decision to launch a publishing label demonstrates confidence in their ability to identify and support innovative projects. Selecting Precognition as a flagship title shows ambition to position themselves as publishers of prestige narrative experiences rather than focusing solely on their established horror survival niche.
The spring 2028 release window indicates a substantial development period ahead, suggesting that Precognition represents a technically ambitious undertaking. Barlow’s previous games have required extensive filming with professional actors, careful database construction, and innovative interface design. Adding the ability to alter future events based on viewed footage implies complex branching narratives and potentially groundbreaking interactive mechanics that will require significant development time to realize. For fans of Barlow’s previous work and horror gaming enthusiasts alike, Precognition represents one of the most intriguing announcements in the narrative gaming space in recent years.
Expert Opinion: The collaboration between Sam Barlow and Brandon Cronenberg represents a fascinating convergence of interactive and cinematic storytelling that could redefine what players expect from narrative games. With a 2028 release window allowing ample development time and Kinetic Games providing publishing support, Precognition has the potential to become a landmark title that demonstrates how game designers and filmmakers can create experiences impossible in either medium alone.
