June 1, 2026. Wiesbaden, Germany – After the recent success of the chilling and blood-curdling PC demo presented on Steam, Assemble Entertainment and Tainted Pact Games unveiled a shocking new gameplay trailer for The Skin Stapler, during Horror Game Awards Showcase 2026 (Midsummer Night’s Scream) on June 1st. Alongside the trailer, Assemble Entertainment and Tainted Pact Games are thrilled to confirm that The Skin Stapler is coming to PC in Summer 2026.
In addition to its online showcase appearances, The Skin Stapler will be part of the MIX Summer Game Showcase, running June 1-5. Horror fans, press and content creators attending in Los Angeles will have the chance to meet solo developer Michael Cosio in person on June 5, where he will be showcasing the game on-site at the MIX Summer Game Showcase.
Down but Not Out
Carrion City beckons those who dare roam the sidewalks in this dark and sinister landmark. Prepare for an ’80s neon nightmare where rain-soaked streets glow under flickering lights, and everyone seems guilty. What begins as a brutal murder case quickly spirals into something far darker. Essentially, The Skin Stapler is a horror game set in a decaying 1980s crime-ridden city, blending VHS slasher and grindhouse influences with noir and dark B-movie humour for a short, unsettling descent into madness and the unimaginable!
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You mainly assume the guise of Detective Dick Slater, a somewhat down and out cop struggling to hold himself together while hunting a killer who stages grotesque crime scenes and leaves behind warped audio tapes that mock the police and hint at deeper corruption beneath the city. As the story unfolds, you’ll also take control of other characters as the danger spreads and the truth closes in.
The ESSENCE!
A short, atmospheric horror experience focused on story and tension rather than combat or survival mechanics.
A grimy, neon-soaked slasher aesthetic inspired by 1980s VHS horror and exploitation films, blending stylized violence, eerie decay, and dark B-movie dialogue.
Bleak moments are punctuated by dark humour and dry wit, creating contrast that keeps the horror sharp and unpredictable.
Unexpected moments of nearly censored scenes.
Visually stunning scenes filled with atmosphere and immersive environmental detail.
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And plenty more unforgettable, and not to be reimagined, moments!
A no-holds barred story with hardly any filters!
About Tainted Pact
Tainted Pact is a solo game developer from California with an unwavering passion for horror movies and games. Tainted Pact is the developer behind several indie horror games, including Flesh Made Fear, Massacre at the Mirage, Terror at Oakheart and Suffer the Night.
About Assemble Entertainment
Assemble Entertainment is an independent publisher based in Germany, best known for indie hits such as Sticky Business, Roadwarden, Decktamer, Paddle Paddle Paddle, Grind Survivors and the Endzone franchise. Since 2016, Assemble has released more than 50 games across different genres, including cozy, horror, strategy and roguelike, and has established itself as a trusted partner for bringing original indie projects to market.