Software:Toxic Commando
| Toxic Commando | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Developer(s) | Saber Interactive |
| Publisher(s) | Focus Entertainment |
| Writer(s) | John Carpenter |
| Composer(s) | John Carpenter |
| Platform(s) |
|
| Release | March 12, 2026 |
| Genre(s) | First-person shooter |
| Mode(s) | Single-player, multiplayer |
Toxic Commando (titled onscreen as John Carpenter's Toxic Commando) is an upcoming first-person shooter developed by Saber Interactive and published by Focus Entertainment. The game is scheduled to be released on March 12, 2026 for PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S.
Story
Set in the near future, a scientific experiment to harness the energy of the Earth's core goes haywire when it accidentally releases an entity called the Sludge God. It soon begins to turn the soil into scum and mankind into zombies. However, the scientists behind the experiment come up with a plan to stop the Sludge God, by hiring a team of mercenaries to eliminate the zombies and save the world.[1]
Development
During Summer Game Fest in June 2023, it was announced that John Carpenter was collaborating with Focus Entertainment and Saber Interactive for the game's development.[2] Carpenter worked on the game's story and also composed its musical score.[3] The game will support both multiplayer and single-player.[4] In a recent interview, Saber Interactive Chief Creative Officer Tim Willits admitted his favourite way to play the current build is with two friends and an AI bot, "Yeah, so, like, the best way to play it, in my personal opinion, is with two friends. So you have one bot, because that one bot will always revive me, because you know your friends are never going to…", pointing towards a real need for cohesive teamwork in the zombie shooter.[5]
Release
The game is scheduled to be released on March 12, 2026 on PlayStation 5, Windows and Xbox Series X/S.[6] The game was previously set to be released in 2024.[7]
John Carpenter's Toxic Commando: Rise of the Sludge God, a tie-in prequel comic book set shortly before the events of Toxic Commando, written by Michael Moreci, was published on March 24, 2024, by Dark Horse Comics.[8]
Reception
Samantha Nelson of Polygon gave the game a positive preview, writing "I found all the game's controls intuitive and swapping between the many weapons was highly satisfying, leaving me eager to try more along with experimenting with other classes".[3] Luke Addison of The Thumb Wars also gave a positive review, summarizing that "it's as mental and over-the-top as it sounds and should be".[5]
References
- ↑ Romano, Sal (June 8, 2023). "John Carpenter's Toxic Commando announced for PS5, Xbox Series, and PC" (in en-US). https://www.gematsu.com/2023/06/john-carpenters-toxic-commando-announced-for-ps5-xbox-series-and-pc.
- ↑ Marshall, Cass (June 8, 2023). "John Carpenter has a new Left 4 Dead-like game with zombies that 'blow up real good'". Vox Media. https://www.polygon.com/23754266/john-carpenter-game-toxic-commando-trailer-release-date.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Nelson, Samantha (August 25, 2025). "John Carpenter's newest horror is actually a game — and I played it". Valnet. https://www.polygon.com/john-carpenters-toxic-commando-gamescom-preview/.
- ↑ Tarantola, Andrew (June 8, 2023). "'John Carpenter's Toxic Commando' brings a co-op apocalypse to PS5, PC and Xbox". Yahoo! Inc.. https://www.engadget.com/john-carpenters-toxic-commando-brings-a-co-op-apocalypse-to-ps5-and-xbox-203721417.html.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Addison, Luke (September 18, 2025). "Tim Willits Plays John Carpenter's Toxic Commando Solo to Avoid 'That' Type of Gamer" (in en-US). https://thethumbwars.com/tim-willits-plays-john-carpenters-toxic-commando-interview/.
- ↑ Romano, Sal (December 11, 2025). "John Carpenter's Toxic Commando launches March 12, 2026". Gematsu. https://www.gematsu.com/2025/12/john-carpenters-toxic-commando-launches-march-12-2026.
- ↑ Breslin, Richard (June 9, 2023). "John Carpenter's new zombie game looks like a first-person Days Gone". https://www.gamingbible.com/news/john-carpenters-zombie-game-looks-like-days-gone-756542-20230609.
- ↑ Hilburn III, Trey (November 14, 2023). "John Carpenter's Upcoming Video Game Receives a Comic Book" (in en-US). https://ihorror.com/john-carpenters-upcoming-video-game-receives-a-comic-book-prequel/.
External links
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