Bloober Team has officially delayed the early-access launch of Saw: Genesis, pushing the horror studio’s next title from 2026 into 2027. The developer announced the change, saying it needs more time to deliver a version of the game the team is satisfied with. In a crowded and increasingly competitive space of licensed multiplayer horror games, a poor debut can prove more damaging than the game’s own premise might suggest — and for some, the first impression was far from reassuring.
Saw: Genesis was billed as the next major entry in the asymmetrical multiplayer horror genre, a category that has exploded since Dead by Daylight set the template in 2016. The concept is straightforward yet ambitious: set roughly a century before the films, the game casts one player as a Jigsaw-like “Judge” who lures three others through a maze of torture devices and traps, attempting to eliminate them all before any can escape his trials. The victims may carve out brief windows to strike back at the Judge, though a skilled opponent can simply lurk in inaccessible corridors and activate the next device before they even get the chance.
A Cautionary Signal in a Crowded Genre
The timing of the delay carries weight. The multiplayer horror market is saturated with licensed adaptations, and a rough launch can prove more damaging than the game’s own premise might suggest. Even so, the studio’s reasoning is defensible. Animations and visuals in the hands-off demo were noticeably lacking, and the core loop proved difficult to follow. If the fundamental experience feels convoluted, Saw: Genesis risks losing ground to established competitors — most notably Red Barrels’ Outlast Trials, which has already proven the genre’s viability.
“I’m totally on board with Saw: Genesis if it works as a game.”
Mark Delaney, GameSpot
That sentiment reflects a broader community mood. The delay feels warranted to many, especially given the studio’s own track record. Bloober Team has publicly stated it is done making “shitty games,” and while that promise is no guarantee, the delay suggests the team is willing to invest the time to follow through.
A Rough First Impression
For those who attended Summer Game Fest, a hands-off demo offered a glimpse of the 3v1 loop
, but the experience left a mixed impression. The gameplay loop was hard to follow in practice, with complex puzzles for the victims and unclear best practices for the Judge. Some comprehension would surely come with more experience, but the initial experience was rough enough to raise concerns about intuitiveness. Animations and visuals lagged as well — issues that could be polished over time, but only if the core loop earns players’ time in the first place.
Still, the potential is undeniable. The franchise’s signature elements — intricate traps, psychological tension, and a villain defined by elaborate “trials” — offer a rich foundation for interactive horror. And while the source material has its critics, a strong game can stand apart from the films. “I don’t have any reverence for the ’80s B-movie Killer Klowns From Outer Space, but I had a blast with Illfonic’s adaptation,” Delaney noted, underscoring that a well-executed game can transcend a flawed source.
Whether Saw: Genesis can translate that potential into a compelling, accessible experience remains the central question as the title moves toward its 2027 window.
Looking Ahead
With the launch now firmly pushed to 2027, players and critics alike will be watching to see how Saw: Genesis evolves. Bloober Team has a proven history of ambitious horror titles, and this delay offers the studio the breathing room it needs to refine both the mechanics and the presentation. For now, the message from the developer is clear: they would rather take the extra time to get it right than rush a product that might not hold up against the genre’s best.
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