Daniel Knight, the creative mind behind the wildly popular psychological horror game Phasmophobia, recently shared an intriguing story about how CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3 played a crucial role in reviving his project. Originally on the verge of abandonment, Phasmophobia went on to sell over 25 million copies worldwide after its 2020 launch, becoming one of the most successful horror games in history.

Despite its massive success, Phasmophobia remains in early access, with developer Kinetic Games continuously refining the experience. The most recent major update, Chronicle, introduced in June, overhauled several core gameplay systems to enhance player immersion.

In an interview with Eurogamer, Knight revealed that inspiration struck while playing The Witcher 3's side quest Devil by the Well. This ghost-hunting tutorial mission, where Geralt investigates a haunted well near White Orchard, provided Knight with the breakthrough he needed. The quest's investigative mechanics—piecing together clues to identify and defeat a supernatural entity—directly influenced Phasmophobia's core gameplay loop.

Knight admitted he was close to shelving Phasmophobia due to the challenges of solo development. However, The Witcher 3's approach to ghost hunting—requiring players to analyze evidence before taking action—reignited his passion. This led to the introduction of distinct ghost types and a deeper investigative system, which became defining features of the game.

Fans eagerly awaiting Phasmophobia's full release won't have to wait much longer. The upcoming Horror 2.0 update, slated for 2026, promises to overhaul the game entirely, marking its exit from early access. While details remain scarce to avoid spoilers, Knight has teased that "everything is going to be changing," hinting at significant innovations in gameplay and storytelling.

For those craving more supernatural investigations, Phasmophobia continues to set the standard in cooperative horror. Its success story—fueled by an unexpected inspiration from The Witcher 3—proves how creative sparks can emerge from the most unlikely places.