SAW: Genesis is Bloober Team's bet on asymmetrical multiplayer horror

Bloober Team, the Polish studio that won over horror fans with the Silent Hill 2 remake in 2024, has announced SAW: Genesis — a 3v1 asymmetrical multiplayer horror game based on the SAW film franchise. Revealed at Summer Game Fest 2026, it puts the studio in direct competition with Dead by Daylight, the genre's dominant title. A Steam Early Access launch is set for fall 2026, with closed alpha sign-ups open now.

The setup

SAW: Genesis is a prequel set in the aftermath of World War I, tracing the origins of the Judge — the figure behind the twisted moral philosophy that defines the SAW films. Three players take the role of the Accused, trying to survive against a fourth player controlling the Judge. That's where it diverges from Dead by Daylight's 4v1 formula: the Judge doesn't physically chase victims but instead manipulates the environment from the shadows, controlling traps and terrain to corner opponents. Per OverCentral analysis, the mechanic positions the Judge as a near-omnipotent presence rather than a traditional slasher killer.

The game is developed by Broken Mirror Games — a subsidiary Bloober founded in 2024 specifically for multiplayer projects — in partnership with Anshar Studios, the team behind the RPG Gamedec. Bloober Team itself is publishing. Games Press confirms Lionsgate is the franchise rights partner.

The competition

Dead by Daylight has held this genre for nearly a decade, and no challenger has managed to dislodge it long-term. SAW: Genesis has two things going for it: a recognizable horror IP with genuine cinematic history, and a studio whose Silent Hill 2 remake proved it can handle established franchises with care. The WWI setting and procedurally generated maps add variety that could keep matches from feeling repetitive — one of DBD's persistent criticisms.

The risks are real, though. The SAW video game series went dormant after 2009, and there's no proven appetite for a multiplayer revival. The game is PC-only for now, with no console announcement, which limits its reach compared to DBD's multi-platform footprint. Pricing and the monetization model — seasonal passes, cosmetics, or otherwise — haven't been disclosed.

What's next

If you want in early, Bloober is taking sign-ups via Steam for the closed alpha. Early Access arrives fall 2026. Whether the franchise name pulls enough players to build a sustainable community against an entrenched competitor is the real question — and one only the player counts will answer.