First Look at Halloween Gameplay as IllFonic and Gun Media Set a 2026 Release
PlayStation’s latest State of Play delivered the first real look at Halloween, IllFonic’s adaptation of John Carpenter’s 1978 classic, along with a release date: September 8, 2026. And just like we were promised, the game reaffirms a hybrid design that supports a standalone single-player experience and asymmetrical multiplayer, letting players either become The Shape or rally Haddonfield’s citizens to survive the night.
Halloween (2026) | Photo Credit: Illfonic and Gun Media
As Michael, the loop is simple and chilling: stalk, study, and strike. IllFonic says Myers can appear from unexpected angles using a “Shape Jump” ability, then finish victims with a “shocking amount of gruesome executions.” The game spaces are built to feel like a living slice of late-’70s suburbia, where NPCs go about their routines until panic spreads. You cannot kill Michael, but you can slow him down, misdirect him, and ultimately get him detained if the police presence is heavy enough.
On the other side, “Heroes of Haddonfield” work to warn neighbors, gather items, and coordinate rescues. You can convince townsfolk to follow you to key points on the map, including police-secured escapes. IllFonic frames the package as a “sandbox horror experience,” with match unpredictability driven by dynamic map features, a robust set of options, and audio-visual cues meant to keep tension high.
The studio also nods to its multiplayer horror pedigree while promising singular narrative weight. A dedicated single-player component lets you witness “The Night He Came Home” from Michael’s perspective, suggesting set-piece moments that riff on the film’s iconography without locking the whole experience to one mode. In addition to a PlayStation launch, the title is slated for Xbox Series X|S and PC (Steam and Epic Games Store), setting the stage for a cross-platform launch next fall.
With timing set and mechanics revealed, it comes down to staying power. Can IllFonic and Gun keep that pulse of dread alive in solo runs and nightly lobbies alike? Fortunately, early signs point to yes.
