Last week at PAX East 2026, the Outrun Gaming team was able to catch up with our friends at Dread XP to check out new releases and play some demos for upcoming horror games. Dread XP, an independent horror games publisher known for their spine-chilling game — and, as of February, feature film — The Mortuary Assistant. Since opening in 2019, Dread XP has published a wide variety of horror games, ranging from cartoony and cute to downright nightmarish.
At PAX East, demoing Dread XP’s games gave me a feel for their newest releases and a peek at what’s to come. Four of the studio’s titles — Pigface, White Knuckle, RUNT, and Paranormal Activity: Threshold — stuck with me long after the flight home. Take a look:
Pigface
Pigface opens up in a very SAW-like manner: a distorted voice gives you commands as you wake up in a pool of your own blood. The disembodied voice is in possession of a detonator connected to the new implant in your brain. You must obey the commands, or you can say goodbye to having a head.
After some quick training, you’re sent out to do odd objectives in exchange for money and your life. However, the mysterious people in your ear possess blackmail that could ruin everything, ensuring you’ll do anything they ask. Pigface is fast-paced and brutal, very reminiscent of older games like Condemned: Criminal Origins and Manhunt, while maintaining its own charm and originality.
Dread XP-published FPS Pigface launched on Steam on September 18, 2025, though it’s still in Early Access. Check out the game’s free demo or pick up Pigface now to explore the game as it develops.
White Knuckle
One thing is for certain: White Knuckle had me white-knuckling the controller the entire time. This difficult first-person roguelite speed-climbing game is not for the faint of heart. Stuck deep in a rusted and dingy facility, you must climb your way out while rooms fill with hazardous liquid and creatures lurk about. The music and sound design keep your blood pumping and energy high as you frantically race to freedom.
I wanted to throw in the towel after my twentieth fall, but I persisted. That sweet satisfaction of finally making it to the top made it all worth it. Dark Machine Games and Dread XP’s White Knuckle is available on Steam in Early Access for $14.99.
RUNT
RUNT quickly became my favorite game from Dread XP’s PAX East ’26 showcase. The art style, character design, and story are polished and have immense depth that can be felt even during a short demo. You play as 19-year-old Runt Strayer, the youngest of a dead cult leader’s five surviving sons. After discovering a gruesome omen reading “5 days,” Runt must investigate and find the culprit before the fifth day arrives.
The post-apocalyptic world and characters are incredibly fleshed out; I felt like I was Runt when being threatened and interrogated by his intimidating oldest brother, Hunter. The music that accompanies these tense moments set the mood a little too well. I look forward to finding out who is to blame and how it plays out for the Strayer brothers.
RUNT is set to release in 2026 and has a playable demo available on Steam!
Paranormal Activity: Threshold
With the rising popularity of ghost-hunting games, what better franchise is there than Paranormal Activity to be the next big hit? Paranormal Activity: Threshold follows a couple’s home renovation gone awry. They discover strange markings and bizarre items in the walls, kickstarting their hunt for answers. There are multiple key features that promise to keep gameplay fresh for hours of fright; players can play across timelines, communicate with entities, perform rituals, and discover the game’s multiple endings. Best of all, the game’s Paranormal Engine makes each and every playthrough unique.
I don’t know if I’ll be brave enough to jump into the full game myself, but I look forward to seeing others experience it! Paranormal Activity: Threshold is currently in development, but there’s no release date quite yet. Stay glued to Dread XP on social media for more!
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