Two New Halloween Games in Development, Featuring John Carpenter
Boss Team Games, renowned for Evil Dead: The Game, is creating two new Halloween-themed horror games with the involvement of John Carpenter, the iconic director of the original 1978 Halloween film. This collaboration was exclusively revealed by IGN. Carpenter, a self-described gaming enthusiast, expressed his excitement about bringing Michael Myers to life in a video game, aiming to deliver a truly terrifying player experience.
These games, currently in early development using Unreal Engine 5, are a joint venture with Compass International Pictures and Further Front. The official announcement promises players the chance to "relive moments from the film" and embody classic characters from the franchise. Boss Team Games CEO Steve Harris called the opportunity to work with Michael Myers and collaborate with Carpenter a "dream come true," emphasizing their commitment to creating a unique and thrilling gaming experience for both horror fans and gamers. While details remain scarce, anticipation is high.
A Sparse History of Halloween in Gaming
The Halloween franchise, a cornerstone of horror cinema, has a surprisingly limited video game history. The only official game, released in 1983 for the Atari 2600 by Wizard Video, cast players as a babysitter protecting children from Michael Myers. This rarity, alongside Wizard's Texas Chainsaw Massacre game, is now a sought-after collector's item.
Michael Myers has appeared in modern games as downloadable content (DLC). He's been a playable killer in Dead by Daylight, a DLC character in Call of Duty: Ghosts, and even featured in Fortnite's Fortnitemares 2023 event alongside other horror icons.
The announcement of playable "classic characters" suggests both Michael Myers and Laurie Strode, the franchise's enduring protagonist, will be central to the new games. This reflects the enduring appeal of their decades-long conflict.
The Halloween franchise, since its 1978 debut, has produced 13 films:
⚫︎ Halloween (1978)
⚫︎ Halloween II (1981)
⚫︎ Halloween III: Season of the Witch (1982)
⚫︎ Halloween 4: The Return of Michael Myers (1988)
⚫︎ Halloween 5: The Revenge of Michael Myers (1989)
⚫︎ Halloween: The Curse of Michael Myers (1995)
⚫︎ Halloween H20: 20 Years Later (1998)
⚫︎ Halloween: Resurrection (2002)
⚫︎ Halloween (2007)
⚫︎ Halloween (2018)
⚫︎ Halloween Kills (2021)
⚫︎ Halloween Ends (2022)
Horror Expertise and Gaming Passion
Boss Team Games' success with Evil Dead: The Game (developed with Saber Interactive), a critically acclaimed adaptation of the Evil Dead franchise, demonstrates their horror game expertise.
Carpenter's involvement is unsurprising given his known love of video games. A 2022 interview with The AV Club revealed his appreciation for Dead Space (even suggesting a film adaptation) and other titles like Fallout 76, Borderlands, Horizon: Forbidden West, and Assassin's Creed Valhalla. His gaming passion, combined with his horror filmmaking prowess, promises a truly authentic and thrilling Halloween gaming experience. Fans eagerly await further details.
