The Poppy Playtime toys are getting their own co-op horror game, and it arrives on Steam this week.
Escape from Playtime enters Steam Early Access on October 21, 2026. This guide covers the release date, price status, PC requirements, how many people can play, what is in the game at launch, and what the developer has not said yet.
Checked on October 17, 2026 against Mob Entertainment’s own Steam FAQ post and Steam page, plus reporting from Inven Global and Insider Gaming. We have not played it, so the gameplay details come from the sources named.
Escape from Playtime Release Date
The game launches in Steam Early Access on October 21, 2026. According to Inven Global, the date was announced on September 20 during the PC Gaming Show Tokyo Direct. We found no confirmed launch time, so check the Steam page on the day.
The takeaway: it is PC only for now, and Mob Entertainment’s FAQ says it may explore other platforms later.
Price: Not Announced
We could not find a price. The Steam page we read did not list one, and neither did Mob Entertainment’s FAQ. The Steam page does say the developers plan to raise the price at the 1.0 release, after significant content is added. That means the Early Access price should be lower than the final one, but only the Steam page will confirm the number.
What Early Access Means Here
- Length. The Steam page says the team is targeting about one year, depending on when the core game feels established. Insider Gaming and Inven Global both say the length was not disclosed, so treat one year as a target, not a promise.
- At launch. The Steam page lists the full roster of eight playable characters, one starter zone and a core enemy lineup.
- Later. New zones, enemies, items and features are planned, shaped by community feedback. The Steam page says 1.0 is meant to add substantially more content, plus balance, performance and hardware fixes and lore.
The takeaway: expect a smaller game at launch and a fuller one over time.
PC System Requirements
Mob Entertainment’s FAQ and the Steam page list the same figures.
| Spec | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| OS | Windows 10/11, 64-bit | Windows 10/11, 64-bit |
| CPU | Intel Core i3-9100 or AMD Ryzen 5 3500 | Intel Core i9-11900K or AMD Ryzen 9 5900X |
| RAM | 8 GB | 16 GB |
| GPU | Nvidia GTX 1650 or Radeon RX 470 | Nvidia RTX 3070 or Radeon RX 6800 XT |
| DirectX | 12 | 12 |
The FAQ says the game supports Windows 10 and 11 only, with no Linux or macOS version. We found no confirmed storage size or Steam Deck status.
How Many Can Play
Sources disagree here. Mob Entertainment’s FAQ, Inven Global and Insider Gaming all describe solo play or co-op for up to four players. The Steam store page, however, lists online co-op for 1 to 8 players. We cannot tell which is correct, so check the Steam page after launch. The game can be played solo, and it includes proximity voice chat, so you only hear teammates who are near you.
What the Game Is
Insider Gaming describes it as a co-op survival horror game set in the abandoned Playtime Co. factory, before the events of Poppy Playtime Chapter 1. Inven Global calls it a co-op survival horror extraction game.
- You play as the Smiling Critters, the plush toys introduced in Poppy Playtime Chapter 3.
- A figure called the Voice sends you into the factory to gather resources, per Inven Global.
- Rejected Playtime Co. creations patrol the factory and hunt you.
- Layouts change. Inven Global says levels are procedurally generated, so each run differs.
- Mini Mode lets the toy-sized Critters crawl, jump and climb through gaps, according to Inven Global.
- You can betray teammates, and Inven Global says you can eat one for extra health.
Inven Global also notes that this differs from Mob Entertainment’s earlier spinoff, Project Playtime, because you cooperate against AI-controlled threats instead of playing against another player.
Controls and Input
The FAQ says any controller that Steam supports works. A fan-made reference site we checked describes controller support as partial and recommends keyboard and mouse, but that site calls itself unofficial, so we are not relying on it.
Does It Affect Poppy Playtime Chapters?
The FAQ says the Escape from Playtime team is separate from the Poppy Playtime chapter team, so it does not affect the chapter series’ development.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Buying a copy from an unofficial site. The game is on Steam, so use the Steam page.
- Expecting a finished game. It is Early Access with one starter zone.
- Assuming the price. None had been announced when we checked.
- Expecting console versions. The FAQ lists Steam only for now.
- Trusting one player-count figure. Check the Steam page for the current number.
FAQ
When does Escape from Playtime come out?
October 21, 2026, in Steam Early Access.
How much does it cost?
No price was listed when we checked. The Steam page says the price will rise at 1.0.
Is Escape from Playtime on PS5 or Xbox?
Not announced. The FAQ says it is Steam only for now.
Can I play it solo?
Yes. The FAQ says it can be experienced by yourself.
How long will Early Access last?
The Steam page says the team is targeting about one year, but other outlets report that no length was disclosed.
Final Thoughts
If you like co-op horror and the Poppy Playtime world, it is worth adding to your Steam wishlist and waiting for the price. Steam’s demo festival also starts on October 19, and our Steam Next Fest guide shows how to find free demos. Browse more upcoming launches in our game guides.
Sources: Mob Entertainment FAQ on Steam, Steam store page, Inven Global, Inven Global: beta, Insider Gaming.