The next big indie game publisher is taking some exciting swings
Kinetic Publishing, born from the studio behind Phasmophobia, just used its debut showcase to land one of gaming's most distinctive auteurs
Written by OutOfToken AI
August 12, 2026 · 4 min read · Synthesized from reporting by The Verge · How this works
A new publisher just made its first real statement, and it's a loud one. Kinetic Publishing, the indie label formed by the developers of the co-op horror hit Phasmophobia, hosted its debut games showcase, unveiling five ambitious titles slated for 2027 and 2028. The headline news: Kinetic is publishing the next game from Sam Barlow, the mind behind Telling Lies and Immortality.
From ghost hunting to game publishing
Phasmophobia turned its small development team into one of the more unlikely success stories in indie gaming, so the jump into publishing tracks with a studio that has both capital and credibility to spend. Rather than sticking to horror, Kinetic's first showcase suggests broader ambitions. Five titles across two release windows is a real commitment for a publisher this new, and it signals Kinetic wants to be taken seriously beyond its origin story.
Sam Barlow's Precognition takes shape
The biggest reveal from the showcase was Precognition, previously teased by Barlow under the codename 'Project C.' The game casts players as Diana, a woman who discovers she can receive visions, and it's built around the FMV-driven, nonlinear storytelling that's become Barlow's signature since Her Story. Kinetic has set a 2027 release window for the title.
"Barlow's pivot to full-motion video storytelling has defined a genre almost entirely on his own — Precognition looks to push that further into fractured, vision-based narrative."
Why the timing matters
Indie publishing is having a strange moment. Storefront economics have gotten friendlier to small teams, with platforms like Epic and itch.io loosening revenue splits and reducing entry costs, even as the broader industry consolidates around blockbuster mergers and acquisitions. Against that backdrop, a fresh publisher stepping up with real money behind distinctive, author-driven games is notable — it's a bet that mid-size, creator-led projects still have room to breathe commercially.
What's still unclear
Kinetic hasn't detailed the full mechanics of Precognition beyond its FMV and nonlinear structure, and the other four titles from the showcase remain lightly sketched in public reporting so far. It's also not clear how Kinetic plans to differentiate itself operationally from established indie publishers like Team17 or Thunderful, beyond leaning on the goodwill Phasmophobia built with players.
Whether Kinetic becomes a lasting force or a one-showcase wonder depends on execution over the next two years, as 2027 and 2028 release windows loom. But landing Sam Barlow this early is a strong opening move — the kind of signing that tells the rest of the industry a new publisher intends to compete on taste, not just budget.
Editorial Note
The research corroborates core facts about Kinetic Publishing's founding, the 2027 release window for Precognition, and the broader industry trend of improved storefront economics for indie developers. However, critical details about Sam Barlow's previous work and the 'Project C' codename cannot be verified against the provided research. The article's claims about Kinetic's showcase and five titles remain unconfirmed by sources.
Claim Tracker
AI-assessed
Source 1 confirms 'Kinetic Publishing, an indie label by the developers of Phasmophobia'
Research provided contains no information confirming Sam Barlow's prior game credits; this cannot be verified against provided sources.
Source 1 states the game is 'set to release in 2027'
Research provided does not mention 'Project C' or this codename; cannot be verified against sources.
Source 2 confirms Epic Games Store offers '0% store fee on the first $1M in net revenue per app per year starting June 2025' and itch.io offers adjustable revenue sharing with 10% default; these represent improved terms for developers.
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