Silent Hill Creator and Infinity Pool Director Partner on New Sci-Fi Horror Game

Acclaimed game director and writer Sam Barlow—renowned for his foundational work on Silent Hill: Origins and Shattered Memories, alongside celebrated independent titles like Her Story, Telling Lies, and Immortality—has finally unveiled the official title for his previously teased project, “Project C.” Officially named Precognition, the upcoming title is a live-action sci-fi horror experience.

According to an official press release, Precognition builds directly upon the groundwork laid by Immortality. It marries cinematic full-motion video (FMV) sequences with non-linear storytelling, placing a heavy emphasis on player autonomy and agency. Users step into the shoes of Diana, a protagonist who gains the unsettling ability to catch glimpses of future events following the integration of an experimental neural implant.

Filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg—celebrated for his work on Infinity Pool, starring Alexander Skarsgård and Mia Goth—is also collaborating on the venture. “The films I craft tend to be profoundly subjective and experiential, with terror naturally arising as an individual’s worldview warps around them,” Cronenberg shared via the announcement. “The projects Sam and his team have built over the years inherently embrace that exact same subjectivity—no two players walk away with an identical journey. Consequently, this medium serves as an ideal canvas to investigate these dark themes even further.”

Barlow noted that the development team at Half Mermaid Productions has consistently sought to push the boundaries of non-linear writing. Their priority remains how a game physically feels to play while actively encouraging deep user participation. Precognition introduces a complex web of cause and effect, tailoring the narrative arc directly to the consequences of the user’s decisions. The overarching goal was to deliver an uncompromised, authentic sci-fi horror atmosphere.

Furthermore, Precognition has partnered with Kinetic Publishing, a boutique publishing label established earlier this year by the creators of Phasmophobia, Kinetic Games. Unveiled alongside four additional titles on August 12, the initiative forms a diverse initial lineup. Here is the complete roster, courtesy of Kinetic Games:

• Contact Protocol (Spring 2027)
  • “Contact Protocol functions as an interstellar shift simulator set within a gritty, cassette-futuristic aesthetic where humanity has colonized the solar system to aggressively harvest its natural resources.”
• Crescent County (Summer 2027)
  • “Plunge headlong into a whimsical, witch-tech open world, drifting and cruising across the terrain aboard your customized motorbroom. Deliver packages, pimp out your ride, and build bonds with neighbors and romantic interests as twilight falls. Uncover local gossip, organize your daily routine, and discover the true meaning of home.”
• Precognition (Spring 2028)
  • “Equipped with an experimental neural implant, Diana unlocks the capacity to preview her own destiny. Leverage her precognitive sight to navigate a kaleidoscopic web of alternate outcomes and reshape reality for the better—or plunge it into chaos. Precognition represents the bold new sci-fi horror vision from Sam Barlow and Brandon Cronenberg.”
• Shellbound (Summer 2028)
  • “Shellbound offers a post-metroidvania adventure hosted atop a colossal, roaming snail. Playing as a microscopic parasite, you investigate a literally breathing environment, dominating and battling adversaries to solve puzzles, clear platforming trials, and steer an evolving ecosystem like an accelerated version of natural selection—all while deciphering your integral place in the giant beast’s life cycle.”
• Aether Wizard Life (Autumn 2028)
  • “Aether Wizard Life delivers a comforting, cozy journey where you serve as a novice sorcerer within a haunted hamlet brimming with arcane wonders, hidden mysteries, and budding romance. It stands as a heartfelt homage to Studio Ghibli productions and classic hand-drawn 2D artistry.”

Kinetic Publishing’s core mission centers on supplying independent creators with the financial and logistical backing required to realize ambitious projects without ever compromising their artistic independence. This inaugural slate radiates originality and distinct vision, with Precognition spearheading the charge backed by the pedigree of its visionary creators.

What’s currently leading the race for the industry’s highest honor? Let’s break down the top contenders.

Source: Polygon