Frictional Delays Ontos to 2027 After Ambitious Reveal

The horror game calendar is reshuffling again as developers prioritize scope over schedules. Frictional Games—behind Soma and Amnesia: The Dark Descent—has delayed its next project, Ontos, moving it to 2027 after an initial plan to release this year.

What changed for Ontos—and why

Frictional Games has pushed Ontos to 2027 to give the project more time in development. The studio originally announced the sci-fi horror title at The Game Awards in 2025, with a launch targeted for this year. In a social media update, Frictional said the delay is about realizing what it calls its most ambitious game to date—both in terms of overall size and scale, and in the depth and layered structure of its story and gameplay. The studio framed the decision as necessary to deliver the full vision rather than a simple timing adjustment, and it promised further updates later.

Aditi Amani’s fractured reality in Samsara

Ontos is set on Samsara, described as a repurposed moon hotel. Players take control of an engineer named Aditi Amani, who arrives at Samsara at the invitation of her father, characterized as a cryptic but brilliant scientist-turned-prophet. The premise centers on reality breaking down within Samsara, forcing Amani to confront unsettling truths about her father’s past as well as the nature of existence itself.

Frictional is positioning the game around an immersive narrative and gameplay driven by systems. The studio’s description highlights tactile, hands-on interaction—scavenging for materials, manipulating machinery, and using analog-style systems. Samsara itself is presented as a vast, labyrinthine environment formed from surreal biomes, with different factions operating across the space and a constant presence of disturbing threats.

Release window and where to play

With the delay confirmed, Ontos is now slated for 2027 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. Frictional also pointed players to its 2027 release schedule for a broader look at what else is arriving next year, tying the new date to the studio’s larger planning for the period.

Key points

• Frictional Games delayed Ontos from its earlier this-year plan to 2027
• The studio cited ambition across size/scale and deeper story and gameplay layers
• Ontos centers on Aditi Amani exploring Samsara, a surreal moon hotel where reality fractures
• Ontos is confirmed for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC in 2027

Confirmed release details

Expert View

Frictional’s decision to extend Ontos’ timeline signals a continued shift in the horror space: studios are increasingly treating scope and interactivity as core pillars, not optional features. For players, the delay is a tradeoff—less immediate content, but potentially more of the systems-driven, tactile design Frictional is known for. For the wider market, it also means 2027 may become a stronger battleground for premium horror experiences, with Ontos positioned to compete on atmosphere and mechanical depth rather than just brand recognition from Soma and Amnesia.