![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/JIxo87wJh5Y_xgjF1boGNUXVYNtu3dzb2tnY/29551.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29551.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after the lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29552.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29553.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29554.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29555.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29556.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29557.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29558.png)
During the “Triple-i Initiative Showcase,” which aired on October 9 at 1:00 a.m., 12AM BLACKOUT announced *JIAOHUN*, a first-person psychological horror game scheduled for release in 2027 on PC (Steam) and PS5.
A soul-less returnee returns to a town that never made it to the new century
Set in China on the eve of Y2K, this is a cinematic first-person psychological horror game.
The setting is Fairy Town in Baishoi County, a small town in 1990s China. This nameless town, tucked away in a corner of the map, has somehow managed to survive amidst the shifting tides of the times.
As the new century approached, the town tried to adapt to the changes, but its desperate attempts to move forward ended in failure. Even now, the calendars in the houses are still stuck on the eve of Y2K, and the banners proclaiming “Let’s welcome the new century” remain hanging.
As a soul-less returnee, the player returns to this town to witness its inevitable end. While chasing after scattered souls, you will gradually uncover the mystery behind Fairy Town’s downfall.
The title, “JiàoHún,” refers to a traditional Chinese folk custom of summoning back a soul that has left the body due to fear, illness, or shock.
An experience reminiscent of “lost footage” from the end of an era, shifting between 4:3 and 2.39:1 aspect ratios
Unreal Engine 5 was used for development. Through first-person performances, cinematic camerawork, and atmospheric sound design, the game constructs a cinematic narrative experience.
The screen aspect ratio dynamically switches between 4:3 and 2.39:1, creating a texture reminiscent of film or VHS and giving players the sensation of unearthing end-of-the-century footage trapped inside an old television.
Gameplay centers on atmosphere-driven storytelling and exploration, blending puzzle elements into a walking simulator.
A dilapidated apartment complex, creaking wooden doors, the faint sound of rain echoing through the back alleys.Fear seeps out gradually from the everyday. Brick houses, densely packed row houses, the town theater, the corner store—and the banner hanging there reading “Let’s Welcome the New Century”—all recreate the atmosphere of a town frozen in time on the eve of the new millennium.
The theme is “Obsession.” A debut work born from a love of retro Chinese culture
The development team is committed to drawing horror from authentic, locally rooted culture and memories of a bygone era. The central theme is “Obsession,” delving into the anxiety, confusion, and inner conflict people faced amid the major social changes at the turn of the century.
When unfulfilled desires drive people to their limits, obsession gives rise to demons within the mind, which eventually seem to engulf the town’s residents.
12AM BLACKOUT, the studio handling development and distribution, is a new studio based in Shanghai, China. The studio’s name embodies their desire to create a deeply immersive experience that invites players into their world amidst the darkness of a night when the lights have gone out.
This project was born from the team’s shared passion for retro Chinese culture, and after a long period of preparation and trial and error, it served as the catalyst for the team to officially come together as 12AM BLACKOUT and begin full-time development.
"JIAOHUN" is scheduled for release in 2027 for PC (Steam) and PS5.
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after the lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29559.png)
![In a town that never made it to the new century, chase after lost souls—Announcing “JIAOHUN,” a first-person psychological horror game set in China on the eve of Y2K [Triple-i Initiative Showcase]](/imgs/p/_zOaUlRqojxBw0ee6C2849PQ-N8W3dzb2tnY/29560.png)