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The next big indie game publisher is taking some exciting swings
Kinetic Publishing, a new indie label formed by the developers of Phasmophobia, has unveiled five games due in 2027 and 2028 at its first showcase. Its most notable signing is Precognition, the next project from Sam Barlow, whose previous games Telling Lies and Immortality used filmed footage and non-linear storytelling; the announcement signals Kinetic’s ambition to become a significant publisher for independent developers.
Precognition follows Diana, who gains visions of the future after receiving an experimental brain implant, with players’ choices altering that future; it is being made with director Brandon Cronenberg and is due in spring 2028 for Switch 2, PC, PS5 and Xbox Series X/S. The remaining titles include Contact Protocol in spring 2027, Crescent County in summer 2027, Shellbound in summer 2028 and Aether Wizard Life in autumn 2028, all for the same platforms. Kinetic’s move reflects a growing pattern of successful indie studios using their resources to publish other creators’ games.
In short
- Kinetic Publishing revealed five indie games for 2027 and 2028.
- Sam Barlow’s Precognition is its highest-profile project.
- Successful indie developers are increasingly becoming publishers.
Explained simply
Independent games are made by smaller studios or individuals, often outside the large publishers that fund and distribute many major releases. Some successful independent developers have begun using their experience and resources to publish games by other creators.
Kinetic Publishing is a new label formed by the developers of Phasmophobia, a co-operative horror game. Sam Barlow is an independent game maker known for Telling Lies and Immortality, which use filmed performances and let players piece together stories in different orders.
Precognition is being made with film director Brandon Cronenberg and centres on a woman whose experimental brain implant gives her visions of the future. The project is one sign of Kinetic’s plans to work with established and emerging creators, as more independent studios take on publishing roles.
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