Embody the Smiling Critters and delve into the perilous toy factory! Support for up to 8-player co-op brings a new survival horror adventure.
Los Angeles (October 22, 2026) — The gates of the Playtime Co. toy factory have opened once again, with unknown horrors lurking within. Escape From Playtime, a new multiplayer co-op survival horror extraction game from Mob Entertainment, the developers of the Poppy Playtime series, is now officially available in Early Access on Steam.
As a new entry in the Poppy Playtime universe, this title supports 1 to 8 players and expands the series' lore from a fresh character perspective. The story takes place after the infamous #Funtime incident but before Chapter 1 of Poppy Playtime, bringing players back to the Playtime Co. toy factory to uncover a previously unexplored chapter in the series' history.
This time, players will embody the Smiling Critters for the first time, experiencing the horrors within thePlaytime Co. factory from the perspective of these deceptively cute yet creepy toy characters. The Smiling Critters, who first appeared in Poppy Playtime Chapter 3, now take center stage as the protagonists of this title. Whether exploring abandoned factory corridors alone or surviving with friends, players must gather resources, evade deadly enemies, and complete dangerous tasks assigned by a mysterious "Voice." This voice promises freedom and a new home, but who is it really? And can it be trusted?
Brandon James, Game Director at Mob Entertainment, stated:
"With Escape From Playtime, we aim to explore lesser-known chapters of Playtime Co.'s history, allowing players to see this world from a new perspective. For long-time fans, there are many familiar characters and lore threads to discover. At the same time, we want newcomers who have never played Poppy Playtime to easily pick up and enjoy the game. Regardless of familiarity with the series, players can experience this story in a new way through this title."
To help new players quickly get up to speed, Mob Entertainment has released a short introductory video outlining the story timeline and world-building of the Poppy Playtime series, allowing players to better immerse themselves in this horror adventure.
In Escape From Playtime, each mission sends players into a dynamically changing area of the factory to locate and deliver resources to a mysterious shelter. Allegedly, only toys who prove their loyalty and worthiness will gain access to the shelter.
However, the task is far from simple. The factory is roaming with dangerous creations discarded by Playtime Co., ready to attack at any moment. Players must quickly scavenge for supplies, decide when to split up or stick together, and retreat before danger escalates. During exploration, players can solve puzzles, find clues, and gather tools, using hiding spots, creating distractions, or finding alternative routes to cleverly evade enemy pursuit. The game also features proximity voice chat, adding tension to teamwork. While communication is key to survival, even an ill-timed whisper can expose your position and ruin the entire mission.
Game Features
● Up to 8-Player Co-op Survival: Players can venture out alone or team up with up to seven friends to survive the perilous Playtime Co. factory. More teammates mean higher exploration efficiency, but also potentially more unexpected chaos. With proximity voice chat, every cooperative adventure is filled with unpredictability.
● The Mysterious Voice: An unidentified voice guides players deeper into the factory to collect scattered parts and resources. Players must complete tasks and bring supplies back safely, but it's best not to ask too loudly who exactly they are working for.
● Scavenge Resources, Strive to Survive: Make use of all available resources in the factory to find opportunities for survival. Gather tools, uncover clues, find hiding spots, create noises to distract enemies, or use alternative routes to bypass dangerous creatures lurking in the corridors.
● Miniature Perspective Exploration: Embody the diminutive Smiling Critters as you crawl, jump, and climb through every corner of the factory, exploring iconic scenes from the Poppy Playtime series from a unique miniature viewpoint.
● A Familiar Yet Unsettling Factory: The familiar Playtime Co. factory presents unexpected changes. The Mysterious Voice seems to be altering the factory's internal layout, using procedural generation to ensure each mission offers a different exploration environment.
● Playtime Network Portal: Track your progress, view earned rewards, and gradually uncover more terrifying secrets hidden behind Playtime Co. via the Perm-A-Lounge computer.
Steam Early Access Now Live
Escape From Playtime is now available in Early Access on Steam. The game launches with all 8 Smiling Critters characters, 4 of which can be unlocked progressively through gameplay. Based on feedback collected during previous open tests, the development team has further expanded multiplayer functionality, now supporting up to 8 players simultaneously. To celebrate the launch, players can claim a Founder's Pack for free within the first 30 days of release, containing exclusive alternate skins for all 8 Smiling Critters, along with other bonus rewards. Mob
Entertainment plans to release more game content throughout the remainder of 2026 and into 2027, including new areas, enemies, items,character skins and gameplay features. The Early Access roadmap will continue to be adjusted based on community feedback, giving players the opportunity to participate in shaping the game's future.
Release Information
Escape From Playtime is now available in Early Access on Steam, priced at 55 CNY in the China region, with a limited-time 10% discount during the launch period. Additionally, players who own the free-to-play game Poppy Playtime: Chapter 1 can enjoy an extra 10% discount.
About Mob Entertainment
Founded in 2015 by brothers Zach Belanger and Seth Belanger, Mob Entertainment is an independent entertainment company dedicated to crafting unique stories and memorable characters. The studio developed the globally popular mascot horror game series, Poppy Playtime. Since its initial release in 2021, the series has sold millions of copies across multiple platforms, attracting a large global player base and fostering an active fan community.
Building on the success of the Poppy Playtime series, Mob Entertainment continues to expand the franchise's universe through new games, original content, publishing initiatives, merchandise, and live experiences. The studio is committed to pushing the boundaries of entertainment content, delivering creative and memorable experiences to players worldwide.