PAPERHEAD hits PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on September 18, 2026, developed by Paperhead te4m and published by HypeTrain Digital. It's a boomer shooter wrapped in a cardboard-craft aesthetic that's equal parts charming and unsettling.
Release date and platforms
PAPERHEAD releases September 18, 2026. It's coming to:
- PS5 — PlayStation Store
- Xbox Series X|S — Xbox Store
- PC — Steam
Pricing for the full game has not been announced yet.
What is PAPERHEAD?
PAPERHEAD is a first-person horror shooter from indie developer Paperhead te4m, published by HypeTrain Digital. The entire world — every wall, floor, enemy, and object — is constructed from cardboard. It's a distinctive visual concept that plays directly into the game's atmosphere: familiar shapes that feel wrong, surfaces that should be harmless but aren't.
The boomer shooter DNA means fast movement, lots of enemies, and a pacing that leans into constant pressure rather than quiet dread. It's not a walking simulator — this is a game that keeps you moving.
Gameplay
PAPERHEAD EP.0, a free introductory chapter released on Steam in November 2024, gives the clearest picture of what the full game delivers. You're moving fast, using the environment, and dealing with a parade of enemies that fit the cardboard world's off-kilter logic.
The horror isn't about jump scares — it's baked into the setting. A world made of craft materials that's trying to kill you has a specific kind of wrongness that id Software-style momentum can't fully shake. That tension between fast-paced action and creeping unease is what Paperhead te4m is going for.
Is PAPERHEAD on Xbox Game Pass or PS Plus?
Neither has been announced. Game Pass and PS Plus availability are not confirmed as of the June 2026 date announcement.
Announcement timeline
- November 2024 — PAPERHEAD EP.0, a free introductory chapter, releases on Steam
- June 2, 2026 — Console platforms and full release date (September 18, 2026) confirmed