Phasmophobia x Alan Wake 2 Crossover Event Now Live

Kinetic Games has rolled out “Phasmophobia by Alan Wake,” marking the indie ghost-hunting game’s first brand collaboration. This update, version 1.000.036 (also known as 0.17.1.0 across platforms), brings content from Alan Wake 2 directly into Phasmophobia’s co-op horror experience. This move indicates a new direction for a studio that has relied solely on its own intellectual property since the game entered Early Access in September 2020.

The details of the event are available on Xbox Wire, which described it as “opening the doors” for future collaborations. This phrasing hints that Kinetic Games sees this as a model for future partnerships rather than a one-time event. Remedy Entertainment’s Alan Wake 2, released in October 2023, continues to have a strong presence in the horror genre, making it a fitting first partner for a game that boasts a 94% positive rating from 433,883 Steam reviews.

This update brings Alan Wake-themed cosmetics and event content, but Kinetic Games hasn’t set a clear end date for the collaboration. Steam users can join in at the current price of $13.99. Additionally, coverage from MP1st’s patch notes confirms that this content is part of a live update rather than paid DLC.

Currently, Phasmophobia has 24,312 concurrent players, showing that it maintains a vibrant player community more than five years after its original release. Few indie games at the $13.99 price point can claim such longevity. The collaboration with Alan Wake seems aimed at appealing to this established player base while attracting fans of Remedy who might not have tried ghost-hunting games before.

However, community feedback on the update has been mixed. The collaboration has garnered media attention from various horror outlets, including Bloody Disgusting. Yet, player reactions on Steam lean negative right after the patch, pointing to concerns beyond just the crossover content.

By The Numbers

Steam Review Score	94% positive
Total Steam Reviews	433,883
Current Steam Price	$13.99
Current Concurrent Players	24,312
Years Since Early Access Launch	5+ (September 2020)

Reactions to update 1.000.036 have been tough. One reviewer on Steam bluntly stated, “wtf is this ugly ass new update -1000000.” Another pointed out a trust issue, saying, “the devs are defending this abysmal update btw.” Most complaints seem to target the changes that came with the collaboration content, rather than the Alan Wake integration itself. Still, the timing puts Kinetic Games in a difficult spot during what should be a promotional success.

What To Watch

• Community feedback trajectory: Keep an eye on whether the wave of negative Steam reviews impacts the game’s overall 94% rating or fades as Kinetic Games addresses specific concerns from update 1.000.036.
• Collaboration length and details: Kinetic Games hasn’t confirmed how long the event will last or if they’ll introduce more Alan Wake 2 content during the collaboration.
• Future crossover announcements: Xbox Wire’s comments about “opening the doors” suggest more partnerships are in the works — watch for news aimed at the game’s console audience.