LV1 Gaming got the opportunity to go to Seattle, Washington, and cover PAX West 2026. Board games, pin trading, beer gardens, and of course plenty of video games. One of the titles that stood out to the team is the upcoming co-op survival horror game Voidwood. Now before you go and think, “Another co-op survival game!?” Santa Barbara Games, the developer and publisher of Voidwood, has designed the game around proximity chat-centric gameplay. During the day, you scavenge in a haunted forest, while at night, a monster hunts you, listening for your every sound. Communication is key, but too loud or too much can lead to being devoured. Another element of this game that surprised us is how vibrant and colorful it is. We discuss the design choices and more with one of the Santa Barbara Games developers, which you can see below.
Santa Barbara Games Interview PAX West 2026
Voidwood Key Features
- 1–4 Player Co-Op Survival Horror – Team up with friends as children trapped inside a cursed, ever-changing forest where cooperation is essential to survival.
- Sound Is Your Greatest Enemy – Communicate carefully with your team, as every word, warning, or shout can alert The Beast to your location.
- Scavenge by Day, Survive by Night – Explore deeper into the forest while daylight provides limited safety, gathering the supplies you need before nightfall.
- Outrun an Unstoppable Predator – The Beast hunts by sound and relentlessly tracks down survivors. You cannot fight it, forcing you to hide, run, and outsmart the hunt.
- Prepare, Craft, and Return Stronger – Regroup at camp between expeditions to craft equipment, unlock new strategies, and use what you’ve learned to improve your next attempt.
- Uncover the Forest’s Dark History – Investigate the fate of the children who came before you and piece together the mystery behind why no one has ever escaped the Voidwood.
Another point to highlight about Voidwood was how detailed the PAX West demo booth was. Everything from the lighting to the demo stations was decorated, immersing you in the Voidwoods while you played. Now at this time there is no official release date, but you and three other friends can expect to survive the haunted woods of Voidwood in 2027. If any part of this game sounds interesting to you, make sure to add it to your Steam wishlist. And make sure to go check out more of our PAX West 2026 interviews and content here.
