LAG KILLS Gears Up To Bring Us All Into An Open Playtest

LAG KILLS

It is almost time to see how LAG KILLS, with a new playtest starting very soon for those interested in LAG KILLS

It hit many of us out of nowhere, and now LAG KILLS is on the way to hit us in a different way with an open playtest for the game. One that will help Deranged Games iron out some of the kinks on the PC, but also give players so many chances to see if they have what it takes to survive the angry gamer we are going to be facing. That, or if we are going to become the angry gamer in LAG KILLS after having the AI hunt us down and end all of our living in the mix of it. Those brave enough can sign up for it all and get ready to partake on May 1st. Either through the Steam page specifically, or through the studio's Discord server set up to help with all of this. That is, at least, the basics to have out there.

For those who may have missed out on LAG KILLS before now, this is a survival horror title where you, or a team of friends, are trying to snatch some money to help out your sick wife. The score seemed to be easy, as you do a little breaking and entering, but the house was not as empty as you all thought. A deranged gamer is living in there, and not only does not take nicely to being robbed, but is also on a bit of a mental break after a very laggy video gaming session. Hence the name LAG KILLS, as we will need to survive this new killer, snatch whatever we can, and then escape from the house. All as we have an AI that will constantly be adapting as we stalk around the rundown home that the gamer is living in. Have a look, sign up for the playtest, and then see if you have what it takes to survive it all when May 1st comes around out there.

LAG KILLS — Public Playtest

What starts as a desperate break-in quickly spirals into something much worse in LAG KILLS, an upcoming indie survival horror game from Deranged Games. Beginning May 1st, players will be able to jump into the game for the first time as public playtesting officially opens on Steam. Gamers can request access to the playtest via Steam or the Official Discord server.

At its core, LAG KILLS is about pressure. You’re not a hero, you’re someone trying to make ends meet, pushed into a risky burglary to cover your wife’s medical bills. But the house you’ve chosen isn’t empty. And once you’re inside, getting out won’t be simple.

The homeowner is always there. Watching. Listening.

Every sound you make, every door you open, every risk you take can turn a quiet job into a full-blown nightmare.

Players will need to think fast and move carefully as they:

  • Search for valuables while time and tension build
  • Hide, sneak, and stay silent to avoid being caught
  • React to an unpredictable AI that adapts to how you play
  • Escape alone or team up with a friend in online co-op* (not available during playtesting)
  • Yes… pet the cat (if you can survive long enough)

No two runs play out the same. The AI-driven threat reacts dynamically, turning even small mistakes into major consequences and keeping each attempt feeling fresh - and dangerous.

A First Look at the Chaos

The upcoming public playtest is the first chance for players to experience LAG KILLS firsthand. It’s an opportunity to explore the game’s core systems and see just how quickly a simple job can go wrong.

Whether you’re creeping through the house solo or panicking with a friend over voice chat, LAG KILLS is designed to create those “this went horribly wrong” moments players love to share.

Coming in 2026

LAG KILLS is currently in development and scheduled to release on Steam in 2026. Players can wishlist the game now and join the playtest starting May 1st to get an early taste of what Deranged Games is building.

Are you glad to see that LAG KILLS is still in the works, or did you think it was going to be dropped given the content of the game? Why do you think we are not going to be able to kill the "gamer" in this world, and will there be a good reason that we are not able to quell the rage that they are feeling? Will the whole team have the same goal as our protagonist when it comes to the loot, or will that be a reason that we have to keep going back in so we can split it all evenly? Let us have all of those fun thoughts in the comments to rage out over. Now that LAG KILLS is gearing up to hit the PC out there, we expect to have a little more to share with you all in the near future. Please keep checking the website and all of our social channels to see when that is all ready to go. You will be glad you did, unless this title has you raging out on the depiction of you.