John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando Video Game Coming 2026

Get ready, horror and action fans! At Gamescom Opening Night Live, the legendary master of horror, John Carpenter, and developer Saber Interactive revealed a new gameplay trailer and a definitive release window for the highly anticipated co-op shooter, John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando.

An 80s Action-Horror Throwback

John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is a cooperative first-person shooter that promises to deliver a blend of over-the-top action, dark humor, and 80s-inspired horror. The game’s premise is pure B-movie goodness: in the near future, a botched attempt to harness the Earth’s core unleashes a “Sludge God,” an eldritch abomination that turns the planet’s surface into a toxic wasteland and its inhabitants into monstrous, undead creatures.

The world needs a hero, or rather, a group of “competent, highly-trained mercenaries.” Unfortunately, those were too expensive. So instead, the world gets the “Toxic Commandos,” a motley crew of misfits hired to save the planet. This buddy-movie vibe is at the core of the game, with players teaming up to take on massive hordes of terrifying monsters.

Gameplay and Features

The new gameplay trailer gave us a much-needed look at the action. The game is being developed on the same engine that powered Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 and World War Z: Aftermath, which bodes well for the sheer number of enemies that will be on screen at any given time. Players can expect:

• Visceral FPS Action: The trailer showcased intense gunplay, melee attacks, and special abilities to dispatch the monstrous “sludge” creatures.
• Vehicular Mayhem: Players will be able to get behind the wheel of various vehicles to navigate the post-apocalyptic landscape and mow down hordes of enemies.
• Class-Based Gameplay: Choose from different classes, each with its own unique weapons, skills, and playstyles.
• Co-op Focus: The game is built from the ground up for co-op, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and buddy-movie humor. It will feature cross-platform multiplayer, so you can team up with friends no matter which platform they’re on.

Release Date and Pre-order Information

While there’s no exact date yet, Focus Entertainment has announced that John Carpenter’s Toxic Commando is set to release in early 2026.

The game will be available on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC (via Steam and the Epic Games Store). While pre-orders aren’t live everywhere just yet, you can add the game to your wishlist on your preferred platform to be notified when it becomes available. Some early leaks and information suggest there will be a “Premium Edition” that includes a DLC pass and a digital artbook, along with a pre-order bonus, but official details are still pending.

Stay tuned for more information as we get closer to the launch date, and get ready to go commando in 2026!