SAW: Genesis, the highly anticipated asymmetrical multiplayer horror game, is officially entering its Closed Alpha testing phase. Following its dramatic global unveiling at Summer Game Fest, the development team is gearing up for a major showcase at Gamescom, with the very first hands-on playtest scheduled to begin on July 16, 2026.
Developed by Broken Mirror Games and Anshar Studios in partnership with Lionsgate, and published by Bloober Team, the game brings the iconic horror franchise to life in a tense 3v1 format. Set in the grim, atmospheric aftermath of World War I, the gameplay pits three "Accused" players against a single, orchestrating "Judge." The survivors must work closely together to escape a deadly maze of traps across procedurally generated maps. True to the source material, players will face nail-biting tests and agonizing moral choices where survival always comes at a steep, brutal cost.
The Closed Alpha phase represents the first step in an ongoing development journey. Designed to gather crucial community feedback, this initial playtest utilizes a structured, survey-based selection process to assemble a diverse pool of testers. Players will be able to form parties of up to three to tackle the maze together, with matchmaking seamlessly assigning a fourth player to step into the sinister role of the Judge.
The data and feedback collected during this testing window will be used by the developers to refine overall multiplayer balance, evaluate server performance, and improve core gameplay mechanics. As the game marches toward its eventual Early Access launch, future testing phases are expected to expand in scale and accessibility. Horror fans looking to experience the gruesome traps firsthand can also look forward to booking hands-on appointments with the title at Gamescom next month.