A new video game based on one of America’s most iconic horror franchises is set to make its public debut at one of the country’s biggest gaming conventions. The upcoming asymmetrical multiplayer horror title Halloween will offer its first playable demo at PAX East in Boston from March 26 to March 29, 2026, alongside a panel featuring filmmaker John Carpenter and franchise producer Malek Akkad.
Developed and published by IllFonic, with co-publisher Gun Interactive, the game brings the long-running slasher series into an online multiplayer format for modern consoles and PC.
Playable Demo Brings Michael Myers Back to Haddonfield
Asymmetrical Multiplayer Pits Survivors Against the Killer
The Halloween game uses a 1-versus-4 online multiplayer structure, a format popularized by titles like Dead by Daylight. One player controls Michael Myers, the silent masked killer, while four others take on the role of civilians trying to survive and escape.
The demo will feature Haddonfield Heights, a fictional suburban neighborhood inspired by the original film’s Illinois setting. The map includes modest homes, fenced yards, dimly lit streets, and the abandoned Myers house.
Players controlling survivors will scavenge vehicles for supplies, barricade doors, and hide throughout the environment while Myers stalks them in a tense game of cat-and-mouse.
Developers said the game’s design—including lighting, sound, and music—aims to faithfully recreate the eerie atmosphere of the original 1978 film, which helped define the slasher genre for American audiences.
John Carpenter and Creators to Discuss Game’s Development
Panel Will Explore How Film and Games Come Together
On Saturday, March 28, IllFonic will host a panel at PAX East’s main theater focused on adapting the classic film into an interactive experience.
The panel will include:
- Malek Akkad, President of Compass International Pictures
- Ryan Freimann, senior vice president at Compass
- Jared Gerritzen, IllFonic’s Chief Creative Officer
- Jordan Mathewson, Design Director at IllFonic
John Carpenter, who directed the original Halloween film, will join virtually.
The discussion will offer fans insight into how developers worked with the franchise’s original creators to maintain authenticity while adapting the story into a video game.
Carpenter’s 1978 film became the most profitable independent movie of its time and launched a franchise that remains a cornerstone of American horror culture.
Fans Invited to Attempt Guinness World Record
Convention Will Host Michael Myers Costume Gathering
Later that same day, convention attendees will attempt to set a Guinness World Records title for the largest gathering of people dressed as Michael Myers.
The event will take place at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, which hosts PAX East.
Participants must wear the character’s signature outfit, including:
- White mask
- Blue jumpsuit
- Brown hair or wig
- Prop knife
The attempt reflects the enduring popularity of the character, who has become a recognizable symbol of Halloween season in the United States.
Full Game Launch Scheduled for September
Release Planned for PlayStation, Xbox, and PC
The full release of Halloween is scheduled for September 8, 2026, on:
- PlayStation 5
- Xbox Series X|S
- PC via Steam and Epic Games Store
IllFonic, based in Lakewood, Colorado, has previously developed several licensed multiplayer games, including Predator: Hunting Grounds and Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed.
Gun Interactive, the co-publisher, is also known for its work on Friday the 13th: The Game, another multiplayer horror title based on a classic film franchise.
Conclusion
With its first playable demo arriving at PAX East and involvement from original franchise creator John Carpenter, the Halloween video game is positioning itself as a faithful adaptation of the landmark horror film. The combination of immersive gameplay, fan events, and direct ties to the original creators highlights the franchise’s continued influence nearly 50 years after Michael Myers first appeared on screen.
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