John Carpenter's Toxic Commando Drops Explosive Gameplay Trailer, Steam Demo Hits February 19 Ahead of March 12 Launch

Saber Interactive and Focus Entertainment have released a new Gameplay Overview Trailer for John Carpenter's Toxic Commando, the upcoming co-op first-person shooter inspired by 1980s action-horror films. The trailer, which debuted around February 3-4, 2026, provides an in-depth look at missions, progression, and core mechanics ahead of the game's full launch on March 12, 2026, for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store.

The footage highlights frenzied 4-player co-op gameplay where teams of mercenaries battle endless waves of mutated zombies generated by Saber Interactive's Swarm technology. Players navigate semi-open world missions infested with sludge-covered undead, using a variety of vehicles to smash through hordes and reach objectives.

Excitement builds with the announcement of a playable demo launching on Steam on February 19, 2026. This gives players over two weeks to test the game before its official release, allowing hands-on experience with the core loop just one month out.

Pre-orders are now live across platforms, including Xbox Series X|S, with full crossplay support promised for PC and consoles.

Set in a near-future disaster scenario, the game stems from a failed experiment to harness Earth's core energy. This catastrophe transforms soil into toxic scum and living beings into undead monsters, dubbed the Sludge God horde. Players control the Toxic Commando, a ragtag team of affordable mercenaries hired to reverse the chaos.

The narrative draws directly from horror maestro John Carpenter's vision, evoking the over-the-top gore and B-movie vibes of 1980s classics like his own films.

• 4-Player Co-op with Crossplay: Team up online to tackle missions, with full support across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series X|S.
• Semi-Open World Missions: Explore levels packed with zombies, lockable containers for loot like ammo, weapons, parts, and fuel, and dynamic hazards like flesh mud traps.
• Vehicles: Drive slime-proof rides including hotshots for smashing zombies, winch-equipped vehicles for escapes, and ambulances for team healing.
• Weapons Arsenal: 16 primary weapons such as shotguns, SMGs, sniper rifles, pistols, plus secondaries like machetes, crowbars, grenades, katanas, heavy machine guns, and grenade launchers unlocked via exploration.
• Four Classes: Strike for aggressive attacks, Medic for healing, Operator for drone tech, and Defender for tanking damage with abilities like walls.

Progression involves completing missions, upgrading gear, and surviving Swarm waves that deliver simultaneous enemy assaults.

Developed by Saber Interactive, known for titles like World War Z with its own zombie swarm systems, Toxic Commando builds on proven co-op shooter formulas. Focus Entertainment handles publishing, continuing their portfolio of action-horror games.

John Carpenter's involvement adds authenticity, as the game channels his signature style of practical effects-inspired chaos and dark humor. Early reveals date back to 2023, with gameplay first shown in August 2025 and a release window set for early 2026 by December 2025.

In the co-op shooter market, Toxic Commando positions itself against staples like Left 4 Dead and Back 4 Blood, emphasizing vehicle combat and class-based teamwork in a zombie-infested open-ish world. The demo could be pivotal for building hype, especially with crossplay ensuring broad accessibility.

For fans of zombie shooters, the trailer promises manic headshots, explosive vehicle runs, and squad synergy against overwhelming odds. The March 12 launch aligns with a busy spring for gaming, but the demo offers a low-risk preview. With pre-orders open, early adopters gain access to this blend of Carpenter's nightmares and modern co-op action.