Ontos brings a cerebral sci‑fi mystery to Xbox and PC in 2026

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Frictional Games has unveiled Ontos, a sci‑fi mystery thriller slated for release in 2026. The studio frames it as a spiritual successor to Soma, expanding on that game’s philosophical threads with a broader design scope and new tech. Ontos will launch on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC as an Xbox Play Anywhere title. The project debuted during The Game Awards 2025, accompanied by first details from creative director Thomas Grip.

Set in a repurposed moon hotel named Samsara, Ontos centers on Aditi, who is drawn to the station by a message from her estranged father and the promise of answers about an inexplicable childhood event. Frictional stresses a focus on exploration, consequence, and moral ambiguity over traditional jump scares.

Setting and story: a derelict moon hotel full of secrets

Players take on the role of Aditi, pursuing the truth behind her past and a long‑buried “miracle.” The investigation leads to Samsara – once a hotel on the Moon, now a faded, interconnected complex. The studio says every door can be opened and every corner hides contextual clues, story fragments, and puzzle hints. The aim is a space that feels lived‑in and rewards close observation.

Experiments: moral tests with many outcomes

Across Samsara, players will encounter characters and scenarios that function as set‑piece “Experiments” – intricate situations designed to probe the player’s ethics and problem‑solving. These encounters support multiple solutions and consequences, ranging from careful experimentation to brute force.

• Multi‑path design – numerous viable approaches and endings for each Experiment.
• Environmental reading – paying attention to surroundings, dialogue, and found clues is essential.
• Notable scenario – a figure appears trapped inside a bizarre rat‑based server; identity, motives, and the “right” course of action are not clear‑cut.

Frictional describes these Experiments as a core pillar of Ontos, intended to drive player discussion about how each situation was resolved and what followed.

Not traditional horror – tension that’s personal and unsettling

The team positions Ontos away from constant pursuit mechanics. As Grip notes,

“Ontos is not really a horror game in a traditional sense.”

Expect an unnerving atmosphere and disturbing scenes, but fewer monster chases than in past Frictional titles. The emphasis is on cerebral tension – questioning your choices and dealing with the repercussions.

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Technology and scale: HPL4 powers a denser, more connected world

Ontos runs on Frictional’s new proprietary engine, HPL4. The studio highlights a leap in spatial interconnectivity – the idea that

“if you can see something from a window – you can go there.”

Samsara is described as the team’s most densely detailed and complex environment to date, designed to support seamless exploration and layered storytelling.

Release plans and platforms

Ontos is scheduled to launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S and Xbox on PC, with Xbox Play Anywhere allowing ownership across those platforms. The reveal took place during The Game Awards 2025.

Key launch facts at a glance

Below is a quick reference with the core release details summarized for clarity.

Why it matters: a new angle on Frictional’s sci‑fi

Ontos signals a shift from chase‑driven horror to player‑driven moral tension, while keeping Frictional’s hallmark narrative focus. For players, that means open‑ended scenarios, a densely connected setting, and choices that linger after the credits – all anchored by the studio’s new technology.