Sleep Awake arrives Dec 2: Blumhouse-backed psychedelic horror leans on immersive sound

Sleep Awake, a first‑person psychedelic horror from Eyes Out (founded by Spec Ops: The Line director Cory Davis and Nine Inch Nails guitarist Robin Finck), is due to release on December 2 for PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S. Published by Blumhouse Games, the title promises a sound‑forward, narrative‑heavy experience that leans into audio design to build tension and dread.

The game takes place in the last known city on an Earth ravaged by The HUSH — a mysterious force that eliminates anyone who falls asleep. Players control Katja, who must stay awake and survive as residents resort to extreme measures to avoid The HUSH. Expect surreal visuals, unsettling encounters, and a strong emphasis on atmosphere rather than conventional jump scares.

Who made it

• Developer: Eyes Out, led by Cory Davis (Spec Ops: The Line) and Robin Finck (Nine Inch Nails), the latter responsible for the game’s trippy audio and score.
• Publisher: Blumhouse Games, known for horror releases and expanding its catalog of original terror titles.
• Development: The studio has spent several years building an immersive, audio‑driven horror world — drawing on VR sound techniques and localized audio to heighten immersion.

What to expect

Sleep Awake prioritizes a cinematic, sound‑led horror experience. The team emphasizes localized audio, silence as a design tool, and a blurring of diegetic sounds with the musical score to unsettle players. The game’s pacing and narrative focus make it a fit for fans of atmospheric horror and narrative exploration.

• Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S (Dec 2 release)
• Genre: First‑person, narrative psychedelic horror
• Publisher: Blumhouse Games (publisher of recent indie and original horror titles)
• Developer highlights: strong audio design by Robin Finck; storytelling pedigree from Cory Davis

Why it matters

Blumhouse’s continued investment in original horror and partnerships with creators from film and music suggests the publisher is aiming to broaden the genre’s reach on consoles and PC. Sleep Awake’s focus on sound design and experiential horror sets it apart from action‑oriented horror releases and underscores growing interest in audio as a primary gameplay driver.

If you follow horror releases, Sleep Awake looks worth watching for its unique premise and the involvement of high‑profile creatives from outside traditional game development.

Where to learn more: Check Sleep Awake’s store pages on Steam and console stores for trailers and preorder info, and follow Blumhouse Games for updates: blumhouse.com.

Discussion: Will you pick up Sleep Awake on release for its audio‑driven horror, or do you prefer more action‑oriented scares? What role should sound play in games that aim to terrify?