The official release date for The Crimson Hunt was October 6, 2026, on PC via Steam, with community announcement posts and international store listings recording October 7, 2026, depending on regional time zones. Developed and published by solo creator Farelas, the survival horror title launched after a brief delay from its initial late September target window.
Players can now download and play the full release on Steam alongside an existing free standalone demo. Below is the verified timeline for the game's launch, pricing details, platform availability, and hardware requirements.
The Crimson Hunt Release Date and Launch Timeline
The Crimson Hunt was initially targeted for the third quarter of 2026, with an expected launch date of Wednesday, September 30, 2026. However, the game missed its September 30 release window due to administrative delays with the platform review process.
In community forum updates and an official launch announcement, developer Farelas explained that the game build was ready and undergoing final testing, but release permissions were held up while waiting for Steam's build review to wrap up. Once Steam granted approval, the game officially went live on October 6, 2026 (Pacific Time), carrying over into October 7 across European and Asian time zones.
Key milestones in the release timeline include:
- May 26–27, 2026: Initial demo patch notes published, introducing ally AI updates, lighting changes, and combat animation adjustments.
- June 16, 2026: Demo patch improving split-screen co-op functionality.
- September 30, 2026: Original planned launch date; developer notified the community that the build was awaiting Steam review completion.
- October 6, 2026: The Crimson Hunt officially launched on Steam (Steam App ID: 4485020).
- October 7, 2026: Launch announcement posted ("The Crimson Hunt is Now Available!") alongside a hotfix addressing scene loading times and application responsiveness.
Launch Pricing, Discounts, and Editions
The Crimson Hunt launched with a single standard edition on Steam. There are no deluxe editions, season passes, or paid downloadable content tiers listed on the store page.
To apologize for the unexpected release delay, the developer applied a 20 percent introductory discount for launch week:
- Standard Base Price: $11.99 USD
- Launch Discount Price: $9.59 USD (20% off, ending October 20, 2026)
- Free Demo: Available as a separate install on Steam (App ID: 4662870)
The script and narrative were written in collaboration with writers Cynthia and Jeanine, while voice actors provided full English voice acting. Regarding post-launch additions, the developer confirmed that alternate character outfits were intentionally delayed to ensure stability and will be added in a future major update.
Platforms and Game Features
The Crimson Hunt is currently available exclusively on Windows PC via Steam. The title does not have confirmed releases or native store pages on PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo consoles.
The game is designed around classic survival horror mechanics with modernized third-person shooting, environmental puzzles, and resource management. Players control two complementary characters: Victoria, a seasoned vampire hunter, and Eleanor, an escaped captive navigating a gothic Victorian mansion ruled by the ancient vampire Blackthornnene.
Key platform features supported on Steam include:
- Single-Player and Local Co-Op: Playable in single-player or full local shared/split-screen co-op.
- Remote Play Together: Allows friends to play local split-screen sessions online via Steam's streaming feature.
- Controller Support: Full controller support with Xbox controller compatibility.
- Achievements: 19 unlockable Steam achievements covering stealth takedowns, parries, ultraviolet flashlight stuns, collectibles, and story progression.
- Languages: 11 supported languages with interface and subtitles (English features full audio voice acting).
PC System Requirements
The game requires a 64-bit operating system and DirectX 12 compatibility. The official hardware specifications from the Steam store page are outlined below:
| Specification | Minimum Requirement | Recommended Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Windows 10 (64-bit) | Windows 11 (64-bit) |
| Processor | Intel Core i5-8400 or AMD Ryzen 5 2600 | Intel Core i7-10510 or AMD Ryzen 5 3600 |
| Memory | 16 GB RAM | 16 GB RAM |
| Graphics Card | NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1060 or AMD Radeon RX 580 | NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Ti or AMD Radeon RX 5700 |
| DirectX | Version 12 | Version 12 |
| Storage | 20 GB available space | 20 GB available space |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why was The Crimson Hunt delayed past September 30?
The game was delayed by roughly one week because the developer had to wait for the standard Steam store review and verification process to finish. The developer confirmed that the build was complete and that the delay was entirely due to the review queue.
Does The Crimson Hunt have online multiplayer?
The game does not feature dedicated online multiplayer servers. It natively supports local split-screen co-op on a single PC. Players who want to play cooperatively over the internet must use Steam Remote Play Together or third-party remote desktop streaming applications.
Is there a free demo available?
Yes. Steam hosts a standalone free demo under App ID 4662870. The demo lets players experience early mansion exploration, puzzle solving, combat mechanics, and local split-screen gameplay before buying.
Can player two use all weapons in co-op?
Yes. While Eleanor has distinct narrative tools such as the ultraviolet light to stun monsters, the developer clarified that both characters can equip any weapon found throughout the game, with no role-based weapon restrictions.
