Red Barrels, the independent game development studio based in Montréal, is pleased to announce the Early Access release date for The Outlast Trials.
Red Barrels is an independent horror series developer known for creating the spine-chilling Outlast franchise that has scared over 15 million gamers globally. The company operates from Montréal and strives to produce unforgettable gaming experiences that leave players with a chill down their spine.
The studio was established by Philippe Morin, Hugo Dallaire and David Chateauneuf who worked on successful game titles like Prince of Persia: Sands of Time, Assassin’s Creed, Uncharted: Drake’s Fortune, and Army of Two.
What is Outlast?
Outlast is a first-person survival horror game series developed by renowned veterans of some of the biggest game franchises in history. Its immersive atmosphere, sound design, and full-frontal scares have earned it critical acclaim, making it the leading horror game experience of its generation. The Outlast universe is simple – run, hide, or die trying.
In the original release of Outlast, an anonymous tip piques your curiosity, leading you to explore the dark heart of Mount Massive Asylum – home to the secret experiments of the Murkoff Corporation. The DLC continuation, Whistleblower, delves into the backstory of the atrocities found in Outlast, stretching beyond the events of the first game to reveal the final bloody chapter in Mount Massive Asylum’s story. In Outlast 2, players are transported deep into the wilderness where they uncover the residents of Temple Gate and a corruption so profound that going insane might be the only rational thing to do.
Now, the latest release, The Outlast Trials, changes the horrors entirely. Usually, one of the scariest aspects of Outlast — at least for me — is the fact you are all alone. However, this time, you can experience the terrors with friends.
What is Outlast Trials?
The Outlast Trials offers a fresh perspective on the acclaimed survival horror franchise, taking place within the same chilling universe as its predecessors. Although, unlike previous titles, this game provides the option to play solo or team up with friends in groups of up to four.
Against the backdrop of the Cold War era, players assume the role of test subjects who have been kidnapped by the enigmatic Murkoff Corporation. Trapped in a covert Murkoff facility, they must endure a gauntlet of physical and psychological trials, pestered by familiar characters and struggling to maintain their sanity as they fight for survival, either alone or with their team.
Closed Beta Results
Last Halloween, players were given initial entry into Murkoff’s Sinyala Facility for a Closed Beta experience. The event ran from Friday, October 28th to Tuesday, November 1st, and nearly 1 million players registered for the frightening trial. Those who were able to survive the ordeal accumulated a combined play time of 35 years over the course of the Closed Beta weekend.
The Closed Beta was just a taste of what’s to come in The Outlast Trials. Our first round of willing participants to take part in the trials provided us with some insightful feedback and very interesting data, which we have used to improve the experience. We received so many requests for the Closed Beta that we’re looking forward to welcoming even more players to The Outlast Trials when it comes to Early Access on May 18th.
Philippe Morin, Co-Founder of Red Barrels
Here is the key data from The Outlast Trials Closed Beta:
- 225,363 player deaths
- 656,180 players incapacitated
- 352,851,550 secs (11 years) spent in Night Vision
- 1,841,161 number of times Active Skill was used
- 35 years total time spent in The Outlast Trials by players during the Closed Beta
The Outlast Trials will release in Early Access on May 18th on PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. You can wishlist the game now.
