VideoGames - Halloween: back to the roots of fear with a game paying tribute to the 1978 film.

By Mulder, 20 august 2025

When a horror movie monster enters the world of video games, it's bound to make waves. Revealed at the Future Game Show Live at Gamescom 2025, Halloween is the latest project from IllFonic, already known for bringing other horror legends to life in Friday the 13th: The Game and, more recently, Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed. This time, the studio is taking on the ultimate slasher icon, Michael Myers, in partnership with Gun Interactive, Compass International Pictures, and Further Front, with a release planned for 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and PC. The choice to present the game in Cologne, in front of an international audience, was no coincidence: the Haddonfield myth transcends borders, and the announcement immediately sparked a wave of reactions among fans, divided between excitement and curiosity.

This project stands out for its asymmetrical approach, a genre that has gained popularity in recent years thanks to titles such as Dead by Daylight. But Halloween isn't just trying to follow a trend: it aims to recreate the unique atmosphere established by John Carpenter in 1978. Players will be able to don the mask of the boogeyman to stalk their victims in the darkness, cut phone lines, and plunge the city into terrifying silence. Conversely, playing as a civilian will require infiltrating the alleys of Haddonfield to warn neighbors and find a way to contact the authorities. This dual gameplay promises tense games, where every strategic choice can mean the difference between survival and terror.

The ambition is clear: to recreate the soul of the cult film. As Charles Brungardt, CEO and co-founder of IllFonic, said, “Working with Compass International Pictures and Further Front has been a dream.” These guardians of the 1978 legacy have ensured that every detail retains the essence of the original film. A behind-the-scenes look at the development process reveals some revealing anecdotes: original sketches of the Myers' house were used to design some of the maps, and even the lighting of the street lamps in Haddonfield was calibrated to evoke the oppressive atmosphere of the film. The team didn't hesitate to listen to the soundtrack dozens of times in order to recreate the minimalist but chilling soundscape so beloved by Carpenter fans.

The project also has the active support of Malek Akkad, president of Compass International Pictures and spiritual heir to the franchise. “We're really excited to have collaborated with a great team at IllFonic to finally deliver a definitive digital version of Halloween and Michael Myers to video game fans around the world,” he said. For those who have been following the saga for a long time, Akkad's involvement is a sign of commitment: he is the one who ensures that each new iteration respects the myth while adapting it to new audiences. This continuity between cinema and video games is part of a clear desire to pass on the fear to future generations, offering a new medium to rediscover the bogeyman.

For its part, Gun Interactive, which has already proven its expertise in multiplayer horror, is enthusiastic about supporting the project. In an official statement, the studio expressed its pride in seeing its “friends at IllFonic” bring such an iconic universe to life. The collaboration between these studios is no small feat: their combined experience on asymmetrical horror titles guarantees technical mastery and expertise that will reassure fans. During closed-door demonstrations at Gamescom, some journalists spoke of the intensity of the experience, describing a chase through the deserted streets of Haddonfield where every half-open door and every trembling curtain could hide a deadly trap.

If Halloween succeeds, it will not be a simple video game adaptation, but a true extension of the original film, where players will experience firsthand the fear that marked the history of horror cinema. The studios have emphasized their desire to make this game a living tribute, intended as much for purists of the 1978 original as for young players curious to discover why Michael Myers remains, even today, the absolute embodiment of evil. In 2026, Haddonfield will once again become a digital hunting ground, and this time, it will be up to each player to choose: hunt or be hunted.

(Source: press release)