Kinetic Publishing and Half Mermaid Productions have announced that PRECOGNITION, a live‑action sci‑fi horror title from Sam Barlow, is in development for Nintendo Switch 2 with a digital launch on the Nintendo eShop planned for Spring 2028.
The project pairs Barlow—known for narrative FMV experiments IMMORTALITY (2022) and Her Story (2015)—with filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg to deliver a cinematic, player‑driven investigation experience optimized for Nintendo’s next console.
PRECOGNITION is built around cinematic FMV sequences and non‑linear storytelling that foreground player freedom and agency.
Players assume the role of Diana, who gains the ability to see visions of the future after an experimental brain implant.
The core mechanic requires players to explore those future visions and anchor selected moments in Diana’s present memory; committing a detail to her memory will alter subsequent events, making cause and effect central to both narrative and gameplay.
In discussing design goals, Half Mermaid co‑founder Sam Barlow said the team has been pushing the boundaries of non‑linear narrative while keeping an emphasis on how the game feels to play.
He explained that PRECOGNITION blends the investigative qualities of mystery games with a cause‑and‑effect structure that causes the story to evolve as a direct consequence of player choices.
On collaborating with the development team, Barlow noted that the studio sought a collaborator who understood the subjective nature of their games; Brandon Cronenberg, who had already played IMMORTALITY and Her Story, was a natural fit for conveying a personal, experiential brand of horror.
Brandon Cronenberg described his filmmaking as subjective and experiential, where horror emerges as an individual’s perception of the world distorts.
He said that Barlow’s games similarly deliver unique subjective experiences—no two players necessarily encounter the same narrative path—making the partnership a suitable avenue to further explore those themes.
PRECOGNITION will be distributed digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide in Spring 2028.
Kinetic Publishing and Half Mermaid Productions are leading development and publishing efforts; further platform details, editions, and release windows beyond the announced season have not been disclosed.
The project pairs Barlow—known for narrative FMV experiments IMMORTALITY (2022) and Her Story (2015)—with filmmaker Brandon Cronenberg to deliver a cinematic, player‑driven investigation experience optimized for Nintendo’s next console.
PRECOGNITION is built around cinematic FMV sequences and non‑linear storytelling that foreground player freedom and agency.
Players assume the role of Diana, who gains the ability to see visions of the future after an experimental brain implant.
The core mechanic requires players to explore those future visions and anchor selected moments in Diana’s present memory; committing a detail to her memory will alter subsequent events, making cause and effect central to both narrative and gameplay.
In discussing design goals, Half Mermaid co‑founder Sam Barlow said the team has been pushing the boundaries of non‑linear narrative while keeping an emphasis on how the game feels to play.
He explained that PRECOGNITION blends the investigative qualities of mystery games with a cause‑and‑effect structure that causes the story to evolve as a direct consequence of player choices.
On collaborating with the development team, Barlow noted that the studio sought a collaborator who understood the subjective nature of their games; Brandon Cronenberg, who had already played IMMORTALITY and Her Story, was a natural fit for conveying a personal, experiential brand of horror.
Brandon Cronenberg described his filmmaking as subjective and experiential, where horror emerges as an individual’s perception of the world distorts.
He said that Barlow’s games similarly deliver unique subjective experiences—no two players necessarily encounter the same narrative path—making the partnership a suitable avenue to further explore those themes.
PRECOGNITION will be distributed digitally on the Nintendo eShop for Nintendo Switch 2 worldwide in Spring 2028.
Kinetic Publishing and Half Mermaid Productions are leading development and publishing efforts; further platform details, editions, and release windows beyond the announced season have not been disclosed.
