The Witcher 3 Saved a Horror Game That's Now Extremely Popular

Daniel Knight, developer of psychological horror game Phasmophobia, revealed that a quest from The Witcher 3 saved his project from cancellation. The game has since sold over 25 million copies and became one of the most successful horror games of all time. The "Devil by the Well" quest inspired him to create the ghost types system.

How One Quest Saved 25 Million Sold Copies

Daniel Knight, developer of the critically acclaimed psychological horror game Phasmophobia, revealed that a quest from CD Projekt Red's The Witcher 3 was responsible for restarting development after the project had been nearly abandoned. Phasmophobia, launched in 2020, has since sold over 25 million copies worldwide.

How can one quest from another game save an entire project? Knight was on the verge of abandoning his first solo project when specific mechanics from The Witcher 3 showed him the direction to take.

Inspiration from "Devil by the Well" Quest 🎮

Key Moment of Rediscovery

Knight admitted in an interview with Eurogamer that a side quest from The Witcher 3 titled "Devil by the Well" provided him with the needed inspiration to continue development. This quest inspired him to introduce ghost types, which became the foundation of Phasmophobia's gameplay.

Mechanics That Changed Everything

Devil by the Well is one of the very first contracts in The Witcher 3, serving mainly as a tutorial on using the Yrden sign and Geralt's Witcher senses. The contract asks the Witcher to hunt down a "phantom" haunting a well in an abandoned village near White Orchard.

Key quest elements:
✓ Investigative element - piecing together clues to understand the problem
✓ Monster type identification - recognizing a noonwraith
✓ Strategic solution - finding the right way to exorcise
✓ Progressive revelation - step by step towards truth

❌ A common mistake of beginning developers is giving up on projects too early without seeking inspiration from successful games in their genre.

Impact on Phasmophobia Development 👻

Ghost Types System

Knight explained that the investigative element in this quest, piecing together clues to figure out the best course of action, allowed him to come up with the main hook for Phasmophobia. The ghost type identification mechanic became the core of the entire game.

Cooperative Horror Revolution

Phasmophobia became a pioneering game in the cooperative horror genre thanks to:

• Team investigation of paranormal activities
• Different ghost types with unique properties
• Progressive revelation of information about entities
• Strategic planning before each investigation

Success and Numbers 📊

Sales Results

Since its 2020 release, Phasmophobia has remained in early access but achieved incredible results:

• Over 25 million copies sold worldwide
• One of the most successful horror games of all time
• Consistent support from developer Kinetic Games
• Regular major updates including Chronicle from June

Continuous Development

The last major update was the Chronicle update released in June, which reworked multiple core systems. This confirms that despite huge success, developers continue improving the game.

Journey from Near Abandonment to Success 🎯

Crisis Before Breakthrough

Knight admitted he was on the verge of abandoning the project. As a solo developer working on his first game, he had no guarantee of success. Though passionate about making a ghost hunting game to play with friends, he was on the verge of giving up when CDPR's fantasy RPG motivated him to try once more.

Moment of Enlightenment

Playing the specific quest from The Witcher 3 was key to getting the idea of introducing ghost types. This moment changed the entire direction of development and perfectly completed the main gameplay loop of Phasmophobia.

Future of Phasmophobia 🔮

Horror 2.0 Update

Fans of paranormal investigations with friends can look forward to Horror 2.0 release, which will finally bring the title out of early access. Knight promises that in Horror 2.0, "everything is going to be changing."

What to Expect in 2026

Details about this update have been kept deliberately vague to avoid spoilers, but it's confirmed that:

• Release sometime in 2026
• Complete overhaul of main systems
• Definitive version after years of early access
• Preservation of core cooperative mechanics

Lessons for Developers 💡

For Beginning Indie Developers

If you're working on your first project, take these lessons from Knight's story:

1. Don't give up prematurely - success can come from unexpected inspiration
2. Seek inspiration in successful games - especially in your genre
3. Analyze specific mechanics - not just overall impressions
4. Test ideas with friends - cooperative elements can be key

For Game Industry

❌ A common publisher mistake is underestimating the potential of simple but well-executed concepts. Phasmophobia proved that original ideas can outperform AAA competition.

Impact on Gaming Industry 🎮

Cooperative Horror Boom

Phasmophobia's success led to a boom in cooperative horror games:

• Lethal Company - industrial horror with teamwork
• Content Warning - horror with video recording
• Devour - ritualistic cooperative horror
• Ghost Watchers - direct competitor with similar mechanics

Changing Early Access Perception

Phasmophobia proved that early access games can achieve massive success if they offer solid foundations and regular updates.

Recommendations for Players 🎲

For New Players

If you're considering trying Phasmophobia, prepare for:

• Intense atmosphere with friends
• Learning curve in recognizing ghosts
• Need for communication with team
• Progressive revelation of game mechanics

For Veterans

Existing players should:

• Follow news about Horror 2.0 update
• Experiment with new strategies before the major update
• Prepare for changes in 2026
• Enjoy the current version before transition

Conclusion and Significance for Gaming Culture

The Phasmophobia story shows how inspiration from one game can save another and create a new subgenre. Daniel Knight proved that even a simple idea, properly executed, can compete with the biggest studios.

Key Takeaways:

• Inspiration can come from unexpected sources
• Persistence is key for indie project success
• Cooperative mechanics can transform entire genres
• Early access can be a path to success with the right approach

FAQ

Q: Was Knight inspired only by The Witcher 3 quest? A: No, but specifically the "Devil by the Well" quest was the key moment that inspired him to create the ghost types system, the core of the entire game.

Q: When will the final version of Phasmophobia be released? A: The Horror 2.0 update, which will bring the game out of early access, is planned for 2026. No specific date has been announced yet.

Q: How many copies has Phasmophobia sold? A: The game has sold over 25 million copies worldwide, making it one of the most successful horror games of all time.

Q: Will Horror 2.0 be a paid update? A: Details about the price of Horror 2.0 update haven't been announced yet. All previous major updates were free.

Q: Can I play Phasmophobia solo? A: Yes, but the game is primarily designed for cooperative play with 1-4 players. Solo play is possible but significantly more challenging.

Q: Did Phasmophobia influence the development of other cooperative horror games? A: Definitely yes, Phasmophobia's success led to a boom in cooperative horror games like Lethal Company or Content Warning.

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