IllFonic’s Halloween Game: 1978 Michael Myers Actor Confirmed, Kane Hodder Joins, New Screens Released & More!

The Shape is coming for gamers. IllFonic, the studio behind Friday the 13th: The Game and Ghostbusters: Spirits Unleashed, has officially announced its next horror project: a video game adaptation of John Carpenter’s legendary Halloween franchise, with Michael Myers at the center.

Set to release in 2026, Halloween is being developed in collaboration with Malek Akkad — son of Mustafa Akkad, the original producer of the 1978 film — and will even feature the involvement of John Carpenter himself. “We wanted to capture not just the look of Halloween, but the feeling of that very first film,” said Jared Garrett, Chief Creative Officer at IllFonic.

Stealth, Fear, and Survival

Unlike IllFonic’s past projects, Halloween will blend both single-player and multiplayer gameplay. At its core, it’s a stealth-horror experience where players can step into the role of Michael Myers or attempt to survive as ordinary citizens of Haddonfield, Illinois.

On the killer’s side, Myers stalks and hunts down unsuspecting NPC townsfolk and players alike, relying on his signature slow, unstoppable menace. Survivors, meanwhile, must find creative ways to escape or resist — calling the police, rallying neighbors, or even organizing armed groups to confront the threat.

“We really wanted to ground the game in the 1970s,” explained Design Director Jordan Mathewson. “No cell phones, no cable TV, just wall-mounted telephones and a quiet suburban town that suddenly finds itself under siege. That sense of vulnerability is key to Halloween.”

A Single-Player Story

One of the biggest surprises surrounding Halloween is that the game’s single-player narrative has been in development for more than a year under the guidance of Adam F. Goldberg, creator of the hit sitcom The Goldbergs. A lifelong horror enthusiast, Goldberg is no stranger to the genre’s icons: in 2018 he famously convinced Robert Englund to reprise his role as Freddy Krueger for one final time on The Goldbergs—a feat that hadn’t happened since Freddy vs. Jason in 2003. His involvement in the project signals IllFonic’s commitment to delivering a story mode that doesn’t just feel cinematic, but deeply respectful of the slasher legacy.

According to IllFonic, the single-player campaign will allow fans to step behind the mask of Michael Myers, reliving key events from the night he first came home while exploring iconic settings such as the Myers House and the fog-drenched streets of Haddonfield. Narrative choices, exploration, and collectibles unique to this mode are designed to enrich the experience and maximize replayability. “We wanted to make sure the single-player felt as authentic and terrifying as the multiplayer,” says CCO Jared Gerritzen. “It’s what truly sets Halloween apart from other asymmetrical horror titles.”

Kane Hodder and…

That authenticity extends to the game’s production. IllFonic has confirmed that Kane Hodder, best known for playing Jason Voorhees in multiple Friday the 13th films, is once again performing motion capture for the killer, while the original actor who donned the mask in 1978, Nick Castle, is also contributing to the project. This combination of horror legends, along with input from Malek Akkad and Ryan Freimann, ensures that Michael Myers’ presence in the game is as chilling as it was on the silver screen.

The Gun Media Role

While publishing support will come from Gun Interactive, IllFonic has emphasized that the development itself is entirely in-house—unlike Friday the 13th: The Game or The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. The studio claims this has resulted in a “far more solid and ambitious” project, one that pushes Unreal Engine 5 to deliver atmospheric lighting, detailed interiors, and the eerie unpredictability of a living Haddonfield. Early screenshots already showcase familiar 1978 landmarks drenched in shadows, signaling the game’s dedication to both accuracy and fear.

Are you ready for some screenshots from HALLOWEEN: The Game? Do you know how hard it was to NOT make a horrible pun like "screamshots?" Check 'em out!

Step into the chilling world of John Carpenter’s genre-defining film, now transformed into a suspenseful one-versus-many… pic.twitter.com/IW8YQGmwgd
— HalloweenMovies™ (@Halloweenmovies) August 26, 2025

Bringing The Shape to Life

IllFonic stressed that recreating Michael Myers himself has been the studio’s primary focus. His blank mask — famously a retooled Captain Kirk mask — has been painstakingly recreated, and his movements, attacks, and presence are drawn directly from Carpenter’s original film.

“Michael is the experience,” Garrett emphasized. “He isn’t just a character — he drives everything. From the way he suddenly appears in the shadows, to the sound of his breathing, to the way he attacks, it all had to feel authentic.”

More Than Just Survival Horror

Unlike many asymmetrical horror titles, IllFonic promises that Halloween won’t just be about running away. The game will incorporate sandbox elements, giving survivors the freedom to decide how to act — whether to play hero and save others or focus solely on escaping. Every match, they say, will feel different.

“Jason Voorhees is a bull charging through a glass shop,” Garrett said, comparing their previous killer to Myers. “Michael is a rattlesnake, still and silent, waiting to strike. That difference defines the whole experience.”

What About Carpenter?

Fans will also notice a familiar voice. The trailer features a narration reminiscent of Donald Pleasence’s iconic Dr. Loomis, with the same voice actor from the 2018 film reprising the role. And while IllFonic won’t yet disclose the full extent of John Carpenter’s involvement, they tease that his role in the project will be revealed in a future announcement — one that horror fans “will be thrilled about.”

Halloween is scheduled to launch next year on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and the Epic Games Store. With its mix of multiplayer tension, cinematic single-player storytelling, and unprecedented fidelity to the Carpenter classic, IllFonic is aiming to deliver the definitive slasher video game experience—one that lets players finally decide what it means to survive the night… or to become the Shape itself.