Sam Barlow’s Precognition Headlines Kinetic Publishing’s First Showcase With Five Ambitious Indie Games

The showcase is important because Kinetic Publishing is still a new name in the industry. Instead of focusing on one major franchise, the company is building a lineup around different styles of indie games, ranging from cozy experiences to science fiction, horror, adventure and experimental storytelling.

For players looking for something different from the usual AAA releases, the announcement gives Kinetic Publishing an interesting position heading into 2027 and 2028.

Precognition Is the Biggest Announcement

The headline game from the showcase is Precognition.

The game comes from Sam Barlow and his studio Half Mermaid Productions, with filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg also involved. Cronenberg is known for films including Infinity Pool and Possessor, making the collaboration especially interesting for fans of psychological and experimental storytelling.

Precognition follows Diana, a woman who receives an experimental brain implant that gives her visions of the future.

That sounds like a powerful ability, but the central idea of the game is built around a major problem: seeing the future can change it.

Players will explore Diana's visions and remember details from what they see. However, once those details become part of her present memory, the future itself can change.

This creates a story built around cause and effect rather than a simple linear path.

A New Kind of Narrative Adventure

Barlow's previous games are known for using unusual storytelling systems, and Precognition appears to continue that approach.

The game will use full-motion video sequences and nonlinear storytelling. Instead of simply moving from one traditional cutscene to another, players are expected to investigate information, examine future events and make decisions that influence what happens next.

That structure could make Precognition particularly interesting for players who enjoy mystery games where understanding the story is part of the gameplay.

The concept also gives the developers plenty of room to experiment with how players understand time.

A normal game might allow players to discover what happened in the past. Precognition instead appears to ask players to understand what might happen in the future while knowing that their actions can change those events.

That could make every discovery feel uncertain.

Brandon Cronenberg Adds Another Layer

The involvement of Brandon Cronenberg is another major reason Precognition has attracted attention.

Cronenberg brings experience from psychological and science-fiction films, while Barlow has built his reputation around interactive storytelling. Their collaboration combines two different approaches to suspense: cinematic atmosphere and player-driven investigation.

According to coverage of the showcase, Barlow and Cronenberg are working together on the game's presentation and storytelling, giving Precognition a distinctive creative identity even though its release is still some time away.

The game is currently planned for spring 2028 on Nintendo Switch 2, PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.

That means players will have to wait, but the early reveal gives the project plenty of time to develop.

Kinetic Publishing Reveals Four More Games

Precognition was not the only new project shown during the showcase.

Kinetic Publishing also revealed four other games, giving the publisher a much broader lineup than a single headline announcement.

The announced projects include Aether Wizard Life, Contract Protocol, Crescent County and Shellbound, alongside Precognition. The games cover different genres and creative ideas, showing that Kinetic Publishing is not trying to build its identity around one specific type of experience.

Aether Wizard Life takes a more whimsical direction, while Contract Protocol focuses on a futuristic workplace setting. Crescent County combines witchcraft with a motorbroom adventure, and Shellbound offers a different take on the metroidvania genre.

Together, the five games demonstrate the kind of variety Kinetic Publishing appears to be looking for.

Why This Showcase Matters for Indie Games

Kinetic Publishing is connected to Kinetic Games, the developer of Phasmophobia. The company announced its publishing label earlier in 2026 with the goal of supporting independent developers and helping creative projects reach players.

Before the showcase, Kinetic Publishing said it had received hundreds of submissions from developers around the world.

That is an important detail because publishing remains one of the biggest challenges for smaller studios. A strong game can struggle to reach players without marketing, platform support, funding and the right publishing strategy.

Kinetic's new model could therefore become useful for developers that have interesting ideas but need additional support to bring those ideas to a larger audience.

The first showcase suggests the company is willing to take chances on games that may not fit the standard blockbuster formula.

When Can Players Expect These Games?

Players should not expect these titles to arrive immediately.

The showcase focused on games planned for 2027 and 2028. Precognition is currently scheduled for spring 2028, while the other games have their own development schedules and release plans.

That long development window also means details can change.

Release dates, platforms and gameplay features may be updated as development continues, so players should treat the current information as an early look rather than a final release plan.

For now, Precognition is clearly the project attracting the most attention, especially because of the combination of Sam Barlow's interactive storytelling and Brandon Cronenberg's film background.

What This Means for Players

The most interesting part of Kinetic Publishing's first showcase is not simply the number of games announced.

It is the variety.

The current gaming market is filled with large franchises and familiar sequels. Indie developers often provide a different kind of experience, experimenting with storytelling, mechanics and unusual worlds.

Kinetic Publishing appears to be building its lineup around exactly that idea.

Precognition could become the publisher's biggest upcoming project, but the other four games could also give the label a strong identity if they deliver on their concepts.

For now, the showcase has successfully put Kinetic Publishing on the gaming industry's radar.

And with Gamescom 2026 approaching, more details about upcoming indie projects could arrive soon.

FAQs

What is Kinetic Publishing?

Kinetic Publishing is a new game publishing label connected to Kinetic Games, the studio known for Phasmophobia. It was created to support independent developers and publish new games.

What is Precognition?

Precognition is an upcoming sci-fi thriller from Sam Barlow and Half Mermaid Productions. The game follows Diana, who develops the ability to see visions of the future after receiving an experimental brain implant.

Who is working on Precognition?

Precognition is being developed by Sam Barlow and Half Mermaid Productions in collaboration with filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg.