Saw: Genesis introduces a new twist on asymmetric horror gameplay

A new entry in the Saw video game franchise is aiming to deliver a deeper multiplayer horror experience, with developers revealing fresh gameplay details during Summer Game Fest 2026. Titled Saw: Genesis, the game is being developed through a collaboration between Broken Mirror Games, a subsidiary of Bloober Team, and Anshar Studios.

Unlike previous Saw titles, which received mixed reactions from players and critics, Saw: Genesis takes a more ambitious approach by combining the series’ trademark body horror with asymmetric multiplayer gameplay. The project also benefits from Bloober Team’s experience in the horror genre, with the studio seeking to create a game that remains faithful to the franchise while introducing new mechanics.

The game serves as a prequel within the wider Saw universe and has been approved by Lionsgate as part of the official storyline. According to the developers, the events of Saw: Genesis are considered canon within the franchise’s ten-film narrative, expanding the lore that fans have followed for more than two decades.

A prequel set before the rise of Jigsaw

Saw: Genesis places players into two opposing roles. One player assumes the role of the Judge, while three others take on the role of the Accused. The format follows the asymmetric multiplayer model popularised by games such as Evolve and Dead by Daylight, where one powerful player faces a team of survivors working together.

The Judge is portrayed as a serial killer operating in the period following the First World War and is described as a predecessor to the franchise’s infamous Jigsaw Killer. This setting allows developers to explore a different chapter in the Saw timeline while retaining many of the series’ themes.

Footage shown during the presentation highlighted the game’s strong focus on horror and graphic survival scenarios. Players can expect brutal traps and disturbing situations that reflect the film’s tone. The developers appear keen to preserve the franchise’s reputation for intense body horror while adapting it for an interactive multiplayer environment.

The game world is designed to place pressure on both sides. While the Judge attempts to control the environment and manipulate events, the Accused must cooperate and make difficult decisions to stay alive. This balance forms the core of the gameplay experience.

Judge gains powerful tools to control the hunt

The Judge enters each match with several advantages designed to maintain control over the playing field. At the start of a game, the character has access to a complete map of the level and knows where important resources are located. This information allows the Judge to plan attacks and prepare traps before the opposing team can organise itself.

A range of special abilities further strengthens the character’s position. One ability enables the Judge to detect noise and identify player locations, even when they are hidden behind walls. Exclusive access to secret corridors and lifts also allows the killer to move around the map more efficiently and surprise opponents.

Another notable feature is the Accomplice, a non-playable ally that assists the Judge during matches. The Accomplice can capture incapacitated players and transport them to trap rooms, creating additional danger for the Accused. The Judge can also deploy hallucinogenic gas, causing victims to experience false attacks and increasing confusion during critical moments.

Despite these advantages, the developers stressed that the Judge is not physically dominant. The character is vulnerable in confrontations and can be defeated if the Accused manages to corner and attack with weapons found throughout the level. This weakness is intended to ensure that strategy and planning remain more important than brute force.

Teamwork and sacrifice are key to survival

While the Judge benefits from powerful tools, the Accused gains strength through cooperation. Working as a team allows them to divide the killer’s attention and create opportunities to complete objectives. During gameplay demonstrations, the developers showcased different tactics available to players, including aggressive attempts to reach goals quickly before the Judge has time to establish traps.

These high-risk strategies can yield significant rewards, but they also increase the risk of dangerous situations. Success often depends on communication and coordination among team members, making teamwork essential for survival.

The game also introduces a health system that functions as a valuable resource rather than simply a measure of survival. Players may choose to endure injuries to escape traps or accelerate progress towards objectives. Demonstrations included scenes of characters grabbing barbed wire and placing their hands on dangerously overheated mechanisms to continue moving forward.

These painful choices reflect one of the central themes of the Saw franchise: sacrifice. In Saw: Genesis, players are frequently required to weigh immediate suffering against long-term survival. The result is a horror experience that aims to recreate the film series’ tension and moral dilemmas while offering a fresh multiplayer format for fans and newcomers alike.