Frictional Games unveiled its next haunting experience at The Game Awards 2025. Meet Ontos, a sci-fi mystery thriller that’s equal parts mind-bending and terrifying. The game launches in 2026 featuring the legendary Stellan Skarsgård and a hotel on the moon that’s definitely not hosting your dream vacation.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Ontos launches in 2026 on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC
- You play as Aditi Amani, a resourceful engineer exploring the repurposed moon hotel Samsara
- Stars award-winning actor Stellan Skarsgård in a haunting role within the sci-fi thriller
- Announced at The Game Awards 2025 as the spiritual successor to the critically acclaimed SOMA
Meet Your Next Nightmare: Hotel Samsara on the Moon
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Ontos drops you into a repurposed moon hotel that’s far from welcoming. You’ll control Aditi Amani, a skilled engineer hunting for answers about her estranged father. What should be a straightforward mystery quickly spirals into something far stranger.
The Samsara Hotel serves as your prison and playground. This desolate lunar resort holds dark secrets, unsettling imagery, and psychological horrors that push beyond typical jump scares. Frictional Games promises Ontos will do to your mind what you fear most.
Why Stellan Skarsgård’s Involvement Changes Everything
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Stellan Skarsgård, known for his commanding roles in projects like Andor, joins the game in an undisclosed capacity. The Golden Globe winner brings serious acting weight to Ontos, suggesting his character holds major significance to the narrative.
Frictional Games rarely settles for window dressing when it comes to talent. His involvement hints the game explores complex human themes beyond jump scares. Whether he’s a guide, antagonist, or something darker remains mysterious.
| Feature | Details |
| Release Date | 2026 (specific date TBA) |
| Platforms | PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, PC |
| Protagonist | Aditi Amani (resourceful engineer) |
| Cast | Stellan Skarsgård (award-winning actor) |
| Game Type | Sci-fi mystery thriller (no combat) |
The Spiritual Successor to SOMA That Fans Have Been Waiting For
Frictional Games released SOMA a decade ago in 2015, selling 92,000 copies in the first 10 days. The game eventually reached 450,000 copies sold and earned an 84 Metacritic score, making it the highest-rated horror game of that year.
Ontos picks up that existential torch and runs with it. Instead of a research facility in the ocean depths, this time you’re trapped in a lunar resort. The tease mentions stuff that’s “far stranger” than a simple rescue mission, suggesting Frictional is doubling down on philosophical horror.
What Happened During The Game Awards Announcement?
The official reveal happened during The Game Awards 2025 with a 1.3-minute announcement trailer. The footage showed unsettling visuals, the moon hotel setting, and emphasized the game’s psychological nature. Frictional Games teased this project back in September 2025 through an alternate-reality game where players discovered clues hidden within SOMA’s anniversary celebrations.
The reveal trailer ends with the promise that Ontos will launch in 2026, leaving fans with months of speculation about what horrors await in the Samsara Hotel. The carefully crafted teaser also emphasized that this isn’t just a jump-scare fest—it’s a narrative-focused thriller designed to disturb your understanding of reality.
Should You Mark Your Calendar for Ontos in 2026?
If you loved SOMA’s focus on existential dread and storytelling over combat, Ontos is absolutely worth your attention. Frictional Games has proven they understand psychological horror better than most studios. The addition of Stellan Skarsgård, a moon hotel setting, and the promise of something “far stranger” signals this game will push boundaries.
The fact that Ontos is coming to PS5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC means you’ll have options for how to experience this nightmare. Whether you play in the dark with headphones or during daylight, Frictional Games seems determined to get under your skin. Expect Ontos to be the conversation-starting horror game of 2026.
Watch the Official Announcement Trailer
Check out the world premiere announcement from The Game Awards:
The Samsara Hotel awaits. Stay vigilant.
Sources
- Game Informer – Announced Ontos release date and platform details
- PC Gamer – Detailed game mechanics and protagonist information
- Noisy Pixel – Character and narrative background on Aditi Amani
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.