Phasmophobia Update Set for May 5 as Kinetic Games Overhauls Characters
The phasmophobia update is set to arrive on 5 May, bringing a major Player Character Update to the ghost-hunting game across all supported platforms. Kinetic Games says the release will replace existing character models, add new animations, and introduce a full customisation system for players.
The phasmophobia update focuses on how ghost hunters look, move and interact during a mission. It will also be available for free, and it lands as part of the studio’s wider push toward the game’s 1. 0 path.
What the update changes
Kinetic Games says the phasmophobia update reworks each ghost hunter with improved movement, new death and revival animations, and expanded EMF reader interactions. The studio is also adding new hairstyles, clothing layers, accessories and other cosmetic options for player characters.
Those customisation items will not be locked to a single path. Players will be able to unlock cosmetics through gameplay challenges or buy them in an in-game store that uses only in-game currency. The company has also said that players who completed missions during the 2026 Cursed Hollow event will receive exclusive rewards, including a necklace, T-shirt and Forest Spirit Mask.
What the studio is saying
Art director Corey Dixon said the overhaul reflects a long-term goal of deepening immersion and giving players more ownership over their characters. He said that since Phasmophobia launched in 2020, the team has worked to make the game more immersive and replayable.
“Giving players the freedom to personalise their ghost hunters feels like the natural next step, ” Dixon said. He added that the new models and animations “start to up the scare factor even more, ” and described the update as one part of the studio’s broader journey toward 1. 0.
Why this matters now
The timing gives the phasmophobia update added weight because it arrives alongside a clear visual and systems overhaul rather than a smaller tuning pass. The release is also a signal that the studio is still investing in the game’s identity while it moves closer to its next major milestone.
The phasmophobia update will be available on PC Steam, PS5, PS VR2 and Xbox Series X|S on 5 May. For players, the immediate question now is not whether the update is coming, but how quickly the new characters, cosmetics and animations will reshape the feel of each mission once it lands.
