Utrecht, the Netherlands - Skunx Games, the studio founded by Winston van Graafeiland, creator of the popular Horror Skunx YouTube channel, has announced the release date for its upcoming game, Dark Pals: The 1st Floor. The game is scheduled to launch on Steam on May 1, 2026.
Dark Pals: The 1st Floor is described as an alternate reality horror experience that falls into the mascot horror genre. The game's Steam page, which went live in early April 2026, details a narrative where players must navigate a seemingly abandoned building, solving puzzles while being stalked by unsettling mascot characters.
The development studio, Skunx Games, leverages the audience from the Horror Skunx YouTube channel, which has over 8.5 million subscribers. The channel is known for its horror game content and has built a significant community, which the studio is directly engaging for this release.
As of the announcement date, the game's Steam page lists support for English and includes features like a full controller interface. The launch is positioned as a significant entry into the indie horror scene, capitalizing on the ongoing popularity of the mascot horror subgenre.
