Phasmophobia 1.0 Set for 2026 Release with Major Character and Level Overhauls, Kinetic Games Confirms

Kinetic Games has confirmed that Phasmophobia 1.0 will launch in 2026, marking “one of the biggest years in the game’s history” with overhauled player character models, enhanced animations, a reworked horror update, and significant level redesigns, including Tanglewood and a new Nell’s Diner map.

Phasmophobia developer Kinetic Games has officially announced that the full 1.0 release of its acclaimed co-op ghosthunting game will happen in 2026, after years in early access. According to the studio, 2026 is expected to be “one of the biggest [years] in the game’s history” as the anticipated updates finally reach players. Notably, this major milestone will introduce deeply reworked player character models, more immersive and realistic animations, and long-demanded quality-of-life improvements across the board.

In a statement released for their 2026 roadmap, Kinetic Games said, “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.”

Key Updates Coming to Phasmophobia in 2026

The transition to Phasmophobia 1.0 will be defined by a suite of core enhancements, several of which have been highly requested by the community:

• Player Character Update: The complete overhaul of character models and animations is now scheduled for release between now and March 2026. Kinetic Games confirmed, “So while there’s a little longer to wait, we’re excited to share that we’ll be launching the Player Character Update in Q1 2026.”
• Immersive Interactions: New animations will allow players to physically see actions such as turning on the EMF Reader, opening and closing doors, and picking up or dropping equipment. Death and revive animations are also being overhauled to better match the horror atmosphere.
• Tanglewood Remaster: The iconic Tanglewood map will undergo a significant visual and gameplay update to keep the experience “fresh and exciting” while staying true to the original design. Kinetic Games reassures fans, “It will provide a similar experience to the one Ghost Hunters know and love to this day while still feeling fresh and exciting.” The studio hints at additional environmental storytelling with “a mystery lies behind 6 Tanglewood Drive that’s just waiting to be uncovered.”
• All-New Nell’s Diner: Alongside the Tanglewood revamp, the addition of Nell’s Diner brings a new location for ghosthunters to explore.
• Reworked Horror Update: The highly anticipated horror update will debut with Phasmophobia 1.0. Full details remain pending, but the studio describes this as a “reworked horror update,” suggesting a fundamental upgrade to core gameplay elements and scare design.
• Full Release Timeline: The path to Phasmophobia 1.0 was initially set for late 2025. However, the studio states, “We weren’t able to meet that date – but for good reason.” The official launch window for 1.0 is now confirmed for 2026.

Reflecting on their decision to delay, Kinetic Games shared practical lessons from development pacing: “As we saw with Chronicle earlier this year, giving the update more breathing room to evolve pays off.”

Kinetic Games Expands into Indie Publishing

Outside the main game, Kinetic Games announced the formation of Kinetic Publishing in early 2026, expanding its reach into indie publishing. The studio is actively seeking “creative games from small teams and solo developers globally, who have a clear vision for their title and are 12-18 months from release.”

This business development marks a shift in focus for Kinetic, as it moves beyond Phasmophobia to support innovative projects across the indie landscape, directly engaging with creators at critical early stages. Game developers interested in this opportunity are encouraged to contact Kinetic Publishing with their pitches.

Summary of Key 2026 Phasmophobia Updates:

• Phasmophobia 1.0 confirmed for 2026 full release.
• Player Character Update arrives by Q1 2026 with new models and animations.
• Tanglewood map remake includes new environmental storytelling.
• All-new Nell’s Diner map coming alongside other level refreshes.
• Reworked Horror Update launches with 1.0, details TBA.
• Kinetic Publishing opens submissions for indie games globally.

Players can review the official Development Preview on Phasmophobia’s social media channels and follow @PlayPhasmo for real-time updates. For ongoing news and details, check the full Development Preview here and stay tuned for further announcements regarding the 2026 launch and upcoming features.

Keywords: Phasmophobia 1.0, Kinetic Games, ghosthunting game update, Player Character Update, Tanglewood remake, horror game news, indie game publishing.