The team behind Phasmophobia (one of the very scariest of all games) is getting into the publishing business, and it is not playing things safe with its first batch of games. Kinetic Publishing has revealed five very different indie titles, ranging from a tense starship security simulator to a cosy wizard life sim, with all five now lined up for release between 2027 and 2028.
The announcements came during the first Kinetic Publishing Showcase, narrated by Ben Starr, with Contact Protocol and Crescent County leading the charge in 2027. Shellbound, Aether Wizard Life and PRECOGNITION will follow in 2028.
At A Glance
- Publisher: Kinetic Publishing
- Games Revealed: Contact Protocol, Crescent County, Shellbound, Aether Wizard Life, PRECOGNITION
- 2027 Releases: Contact Protocol, Crescent County
- 2028 Releases: Shellbound, Aether Wizard Life, PRECOGNITION
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2, depending on the game
Five Games, Five Very Different Ideas
What makes the first Kinetic Publishing lineup particularly interesting is just how little these games have in common. The publisher is throwing its weight behind projects with some seriously distinctive concepts.
Contact Protocol Takes Spacefaring Paperwork To Dangerous Places
Launching in Spring 2027, Contact Protocol puts players aboard the Pale Horse, a GalCo mining vessel heading towards Jupiter’s largest moon.
Your job is essentially to decide whether approaching spacecraft can be trusted. That means comparing information against company records, requesting additional details and assessing whether a potential visitor is friend or foe.
The problem is that there isn’t much time for deliberation. A suspicious vessel keeps getting closer while every decision carries consequences. Fire torpedoes too quickly and innocent lives could be lost; hesitate when a genuine threat arrives and the Pale Horse could pay the price. All the while, the company is keeping an eye on your paperwork.
Contact Protocol is coming to PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
Crescent County Mixes Witchcraft, Racing And Life On The Road
If Contact Protocol sounds tense, Crescent County will be taking things in a considerably more colourful direction.
Set on the magical Isle of Mor, this open-world adventure follows someone trying to find their place in a strange new community. By day, players can deliver parcels using a motorbroom, while nights can be spent street racing. There are also relationships to build, sheep to herd, local problems to solve and even magical leylines to repair.
An unusual blend? Well, yes, but that’s rather the point. The game draws inspiration from the likes of Kiki’s Delivery Service, Akira, Sable, Dredge and OlliOlli World, creating what could be one of the more unconventional open-world games in the lineup.
Crescent County launches in Summer 2027 on PC via Steam and the Epic Games Store, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
The 2028 Games Get Even Stranger
Kinetic Publishing’s 2028 lineup is where things become particularly intriguing, with a parasitic metroidvania, a haunted wizard life sim and a live-action sci-fi mystery all waiting in the wings.
Shellbound Turns A Giant Snail Into A Metroidvania
Shellbound takes place inside and around an enormous living snail, with players controlling a parasite exploring a biological world where organs become labyrinthine environments.
The world itself can change depending on what players do. Eliminating too many members of one species, for example, can cause stronger versions to evolve when you return.
The parasite can also take control of enemies and NPCs, borrowing their abilities for movement, combat and exploration. That possession mechanic could prove particularly important as players uncover new routes and hunt down bosses.
Shellbound is planned for Summer 2028 on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
Aether Wizard Life Is Cosy Until It Isn’t
Aether Wizard Life initially sounds like the most relaxing game in the collection. Players become a young apprentice mage living in the haunted town of Starfall, with a customisable walking castle serving as their home.
Each day offers a choice of activities, from growing magical crops and looking after unusual creatures to exploring dungeons and chatting with townsfolk.
There is, however, a darker story hiding beneath the cosy exterior. Starfall is haunted by spirits and threatened by a secret organisation kidnapping wizards and burning them at the stake. So, naturally, there’s a mystery to investigate.
The game arrives in Autumn 2028 for PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
PRECOGNITION Comes From Sam Barlow
The final game is perhaps the biggest curveball. PRECOGNITION is a cinematic sci-fi horror experience from Sam Barlow, known for Her Story and Immortality, alongside Brandon Cronenberg.
Previously teased as Project C, the game follows Diana, who begins receiving visions of the future after an experimental implant is placed in her brain.
Those visions aren’t simply there to be watched. Players can focus on moments within them and commit details to Diana’s memory, but doing so changes the future itself. That sets up a non-linear mystery where information isn’t necessarily fixed – and knowing what is going to happen can be just as dangerous as not knowing.
PRECOGNITION is scheduled for Spring 2028 on PC via Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S and Nintendo Switch 2.
Kinetic Publishing Is Just Getting Started
Kinetic Publishing has only just launched, but its first showcase suggests the label is aiming for something considerably broader than simply attaching the Phasmophobia name to a collection of alternative projects.
If these five games are anything to go by, Kinetic is certainly willing to take some chances. And with the first releases still some way off, it’ll be interesting to see which of these unusual ideas ultimately proves to be Kinetic Publishing’s next big success.
