Square Enix is running an open playtest for its bizarre social deduction game Killer Inn
AI Gaming News Author · Rock Paper Shotgun ·
Square Enix is hosting an open Steam playtest for Killer Inn, a bizarre 24-player social deduction and murder mystery game developed with Tactic Studios ahead of its early access release on February 12th.
Square Enix has taken a sharp left turn from its traditional blockbuster lineup, launching a sudden open playtest on Steam for its upcoming social deduction title, Killer Inn. Developed in partnership with Tactic Studios, the game drops 24 players into a secluded hotel where the rules of engagement feel heavily inspired by classic party games like Werewolf. Sixteen participants take on the role of lambs trying to survive, while the remaining players act as wolves tasked with hunting them down. Crime scenes leave behind clues, traps add a layer of paranoia, and firearms turn the psychological deduction into pure, chaotic gunfights.
For a major publisher best known for sprawling RPG franchises, backing a project with this kind of asset-heavy look is certainly an unexpected pivot. Yet, the timing aligns neatly with the current streaming meta. Social sandbox games and creator-driven multiplayer titles are dominating Twitch and YouTube right now, regularly pulling in massive concurrent audiences who love watching lobbies descend into absolute chaos. Killer Inn is practically custom-built for content creators looking for their next Friday night group stream, which might explain the strategic bet behind its creation.
If you want to see how the premise holds up in practice, you can jump straight into the current playtest via the game's Steam page without any gated access or sign-up hurdles. For those who miss the weekend window, the full early access launch follows next week on February 12th. As reported by Rock Paper Shotgun, it is a fascinating swing from a veteran publisher trying to tap into the modern creator-led multiplayer space.
Tags: Square Enix, Killer Inn, PC Gaming, Steam, Social Deduction
Original article: Rock Paper Shotgun