Mob Entertainment has opened a limited-time beta for Escape From Playtime, a co-op survival horror spin-off set in the Poppy Playtime universe.
The open beta was announced during the 28 Games Later showcase and is available on PC now. According to a release, it runs until October 4th at 6 PM PT (2 AM BST on October 5th), with sign-ups handled through FirstLook.gg. The full game will launch in Steam Early Access, which lets players buy and play a game while it's still in development, on October 21st.
Mob Entertainment is an independent studio founded in 2015 by brothers Zach and Seth Belanger. It created Poppy Playtime, a horror series set inside the decaying factory of fictional toy maker Playtime Co., which debuted in 2021. The company describes the series as a 'multi-million-unit' franchise.
To mark the beta going live, the studio also released a new Escape From Playtime teaser trailer. The video calls back to the very first Smiling Critters introduction and hints at what players can expect from the game.
Playing as the Smiling Critters
In Escape From Playtime, players control the Smiling Critters, a group of plush toys first introduced in Poppy Playtime: Chapter 3. The game can be played solo or in teams of up to four. Each run sends players into a section of the factory that changes between visits, where they must find resources and haul them back for a mysterious character known only as the Voice.
According to the release, the Voice has promised a home to toys that prove their loyalty and usefulness. Getting the materials isn't straightforward, though, as rejected Playtime Co. creations (described by the studio as 'cannibal toys') stalk the halls. Teams have to judge when it's worth splitting up and when to fall back.
Runs mix scavenging with puzzles, stealth, acrobatics and light combat, in a style similar to the main Poppy Playtime games. Players can also use hiding spots, alternate routes and tools picked up along the way to get around the factory. Mob Entertainment has said players are free to betray one another, and can even eat a teammate for extra health if things go badly.
The game also uses proximity voice chat, meaning players can only hear teammates who are close by in-game. Communication is key to a successful run, but the release warns that a careless whisper can bring a mission to an abrupt end.
How it ties into the Poppy Playtime story
Escape From Playtime is part of the wider Poppy Playtime story. According to the release, new lore will unlock as the game receives updates, and will appear in its starting hub. The Voice's motives are left unclear, with the studio teasing that every resource players collect feeds into something bigger.
Since 2021, Mob Entertainment has expanded the franchise beyond games into original content, publishing, consumer products and live experiences. Escape From Playtime is set to launch in Steam Early Access on October 21st.
