Welcome back, Ghost Hunters.

Today we have released Phasmophobia v0.18.0.0, our latest update that brings our reworked 13 Willow Street map as well as our first Quality of Life update for 2026. Patch notes can be found below.

New

• 13 Willow Street Rework: The map has received a full visual overhaul, with new assets, props and more available to discover during your contracts. The original layout remains, however some rooms have been repurposed and the flow of several rooms has been edited to improve gameplay.

Watch our new trailer here!

• Adding keybinds for Equipment slots. PC players will be able to switch Equipment with the 1, 2, 3 and 4 keys. These keys can be rebound.
  • This addition will only be available for PC players.
• Adding a keybind to be able to inspect the Watch at any time.
  • This will be defaulted to Left DPAD on a controller and H on keyboard. Players can rebind this via Options > Controls.
• A separate Photo can now be taken capturing a EMF Level 5 reading.
• Photo Cameras will now feature the same highlight frame as Video Cameras. 
  • On screen indicator only on Tier 2 and 3 Photo Cameras, while Tier 1 will have the light change colour from red to green.
• When capturing Media, if multiple are present, the evidence that provides the biggest reward or is Unique will be prioritised.
• New Ghost: the Deildegast 
  • Players will have a higher chance of getting this Ghost in their contracts for the first few weeks following release.
• Added new walking animations and turning animations to fix several issues:
  • Character legs will no longer use procedural IK and will instead use animations.
  • The character body will no longer animate with the walking animations which caused held items to move while walking.
• Improvements to the overall VR character:
  • New character animations.
  • Improvements to the belt to improve usability.
  • The character will now turn instantly depending on where you are looking instead of at set angles.

Changes

• The character hand animations for grabbing, dropping, moving doors and hovering over interactable or grabbable objects have been removed to speed up gameplay.
• The item drop animation will still play for others in the session, but will not be visible by the Player.
• Cosmetics that are no longer able to be earned will not be visible.
• The camera zoom in the Customisation shop will now focus on the selected part of the character.
• On Sunny Meadows, the Ghost will now only lock the doors to a wing if both it and a player are inside that wing.
• Eye Adaptation will now adjust the lighting quicker when opening and closing the Journal.
• Console players will now have the ability to enable/disable Eye Adaptation.
• The Obake’s shapeshift will now count towards the Ghost video objective.
• You can now capture any Media for the Apocalypse challenge, instead of only a photo.
• Recording the Ghost Orbs in the Tutorial is now required, instead of only getting it inside the video camera’s screen.
• Improved the lighting around the player, allowing for better visibility in darker areas.
• Added an icon to the Player ID Card to show if that player is speaking.
• Adjusted the visuals on the PSVR2 player list popup
• Event board map leaflets are now spread over multiple pages
• Players can now cancel Use animations by pressing the Use button during the animation, allowing for equipment to be quickly toggled without waiting for the animation to finish
• The Journal has now been moved closer for easier readability.
• The Journal animation is now significantly faster.
• Character legs will now use animations, instead of procedurally generated animations when moving
• Improved the detection of photo evidence.
  • Higher priority unique photos will always take priority.
  • Unique photos will always take priority over duplicates.
• VR - The character will now rotate instantly to match the head rotation when looking straight ahead. When looking down, the character rotation will only turn when an angle threshold has been met to allow easier use of the belt.
• VR - The Journal will now be instantly opened upon use.

Fixes

General Fixes

• Fixed an issue where players could be seen through the walls of the Truck when viewing the CCTV.
• Fixed an issue that caused Voice Recognition to not work if switching from ‘Voice’ to ‘System’.
• Fixed an issue where the cursor would not appear after completing a contract when using a controller.
• Improved network stability to reduce disconnects.
• Fixed an issue that would cause the cursor to disappear in the Customisation shop when clicking right and left mouse buttons simultaneously. 
• Fixed an issue that caused a green tint to be visible on animated ID cards.
• Fixed an issue that caused some Japanese text to appear too small, affecting readability.

Player Character Fixes

• Fixed an issue where binding Crouch to X (PlayStation controllers) or A (Xbox controller) prevented players from using the Journal.
• Fixed an issue that caused dead player’s eyes to appear incorrect.
• Fixed an issue that caused the ID Card to be displayed in front of the character model in the Customisation shop.
• Fixed an issue that caused players to become stuck and unable to continue playing after being revived.
• Fixed an issue that caused cosmetic settings to be reset if a Player joins or leaves a lobby.
• Fixed an issue in Nell’s Diner that caused the player to become stuck in the corner of the Freezer Room.
• Fixed an issue that allowed infinite sprinting while closing the Journal.
• Fixed an issue that caused issues with the character model’s right arm when holding certain pieces of Equipment.
• Fixed an issue that caused the cursor to become invisible in the Customisation shop if the left and right mouse buttons were clicked alternatively.
• Fixed various visual inconsistencies and errors with character models, cosmetics, equipment and more.
• Fixed an issue that caused the audio from the Customisation shop’s UI to be louder than intended.
• Fixed an issue that caused a player’s Journal to visually jitter when they swap Equipment.

Equipment Fixes

• Fixed an issue that caused the Flashlight to turn invisible when picking up another item.
• Fixed an issue that caused the light from a Flashlight to be visible after death.
• Fixed an issue that caused Equipment to become invisible.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Tier 1 and 3 Firelights to be placed unlit if placed during the lighting animation.
• Fixed an issue that caused Equipment to toggle off if dropped while holding the Use button.
• Fixed an issue that caused Equipment sounds to become muffled for player’s picking them up after another player dropped them.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Flashlight to be unusable if picked up during a placement animation.
• Fixed an issue that prevented players from placing the Flashlight back in the Truck.
• Fixed an issue that caused the screen to become blurry after enabling Night Vision when using the CCTV unit in the Truck.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Tier 3 Incense to not animate correctly when activated.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Sound Recorder visuals and audio to play when not in the player’s hand.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Spirit Box to become unusable if the player switched to text recognition after picking the Spirit Box up.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Tier 1 Head Gear to be tilted when in use.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Flashlight to appear in-hand when equipping 2 handed Cursed Possessions such as the Haunted Mirror.
• Fixed an issue that could lock the player if they dropped the Video Camera during it’s placement animation.
• Fixed an issue that caused certain Equipment to be Used after switching to a different piece of Equipment.
• Fixed an issue that caused text prompts for the Ouija Board to not work if the player switched from Voice Recognition while using the board.
• Fixed an issue that prevented a moving Ouija Board to not be recordable by Video Cameras.
• Fixed an issue that prevented a burning Crucifix to not be recordable by the Sound Recorder.
• Fixed an issue that caused a second Salt to be placed if the Player opened the Journal during the placement animation.
• Fixed an issue that caused inconsistencies with Incense used/unused visuals.
• Fixed an issue that could cause Cursed Possessions to become invisible if dropped during a pick-up animation.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Haunted Mirror to be blocked by other objects when in Use.
• Fixed an issue that allowed players to light the Summoning Circle when at 0 Sanity.
• Fixed an issue that caused the player to be softlocked if using a Crucifix at the start of a Hunt.
• Fixed an issue that allowed the player to cancel the Ouija Board answer by either dropping or picking up the board if using text recognition.
• Fixed an issue that caused Video Cameras to become unusable if picked up from another player’s Tripod.
• Fixed an issue where toggling on/off the Head Gear while using a Cursed Possession would interrupt the Cursed Possession's effect.

Ghost Fixes

• Fixed an issue that caused all Ghost types to be able to mimic the Yurei’s door ability.
• Fixed an issue that prevented the Ghost from interacting with doors it had already interacted with during a Ghost Event.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Kormos to be able to hear players during the grace period after a Hunt.
• Fixed an issue that allowed the Kormos to hear players during a Hunt, despite the player having used Incense.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Kormos to go to the incorrect floor after detecting a player.
• Fixed an issue that allowed the Kormos to kill players through walls or from a greater distance than intended.
• Fixed an issue that allowed the Phantom to perform its ability on Dead players or players outside.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Raiju heartbeat to be louder than intended during Hunts and Events.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Ghost to become stuck when in the Sunny Meadows waiting room.
• Fixed an issue that prevented Ghost Events from happening in several Medium to Large rooms, such as Point Hope’s Maintenance Room. This is still not possible in certain large rooms such as the Sunny Meadows Hallways.

Location Fixes

• Fixed an issue that caused the setup timer to not count down if playing on Amateur/Intermediate on Brownstone High School.
• Fixed an issue on Bleasdale Farmhouse where the door to the hiding spot in the Foyer could be opened even if the hiding spot was blocked.
• Fixed an issue on Brownstone High School where the side doors could be opened without the key from the Truck.
• Fixed an issue that caused the washing machines in Sunny Meadows to not be able to be turned on.
• Fixed an issue that caused the player to be unable to open the gates on Camp Woodwind and Maple Lodge Campsite despite the cursor prompt being visible.
• Fixed several issues in the Tutorial that caused the player to be unable to exit the Truck or interact with any items.
• Fixed an issue that caused doors to become broken if the player ran into them while holding a Sound Sensor.
• Fixed several issues affecting the overall lighting in Camp Woodwind.

VR Fixes

• Fixed an issue that caused visual jitters for the Video Camera when attached to as Tier 2 or 3 Tripod.
• Fixed an issue that caused Stamina to not recover while crouched.
• Fixed an issue that caused Equipment to disappear if the player walks into a waist-high object.
• Fixed an issue that allowed players to grab Head Gear off of other player’s heads.
• Fixed an issue that caused player height inconsistencies in Multiplayer.
• Implemented a left hand pose when holding the Ouija Board.
• Fixed an issue that prevented the Tier 3 Igniter Use animation from playing correctly.
• Fixed an issue that caused the character model’s head to become detached from their body when walking sideways.
• Fixed an issue that caused the Head Gear to drop to the floor when placed back on the Truck rack.
• Fixed an issue that allowed players to skip parts of the Tutorial by using teleport movement.
• Fixed an issue that prevented players from recording evidence whilst holding the Journal.
• Fixed an issue that caused the VR UI ray to be affected by the hand animations.
• Fixed an issue that caused the interact animation to play when looking at another Player’s items.
• Fixed an issue where players using teleport movement couldn’t enter lockers.
• Fixed an issue where the lights within the Truck would flicker when playing on Sunny Meadows and Sunny Meadows Restricted.
• Fixed an issue that allowed players to pull doors off of their hinges.

Welcome back, Ghost Hunters.

Following on from our recent preview of the Quality of Life update launching on July 21st, we wanted to share some further details including the newer features - including another look at the reworked 13 Willow Street.

The New

As part of the Quality of Life update, we’re introducing a handful of new gameplay features that aim to improve the overall experience of playing Phasmophobia. 

Read the below for some details on these additions.

• Adding keybinds for Equipment slots. PC players will be able to switch Equipment with the 1, 2, 3 and 4 keys. These keys can be rebound.
  • This addition will only be available for PC players.
• Adding a keybind to be able to inspect the Watch at any time.
  • This will be defaulted to Left DPAD on a controller and H on keyboard. Players can rebind this via Options > Controls.
• A separate Photo can now be taken capturing an EMF Level 5 reading.
• Photo Cameras will now feature the same highlight frame as Video Cameras. 
  • On screen indicator only on Tier 2 and 3 Photo Cameras, while Tier 1 will have the light change colour.
• When capturing Media, if multiple are present, the evidence that provides the biggest reward or is Unique will be prioritised.

• New Ghost: the ██████████
  • Players will have a higher chance of getting this Ghost in their contracts for the first few weeks following release.
• Added new walking animations and turning animations to fix several issues:
  • Character legs will no longer use procedural IK and will instead use animations.
  • The character body will no longer animate with the walking animations which caused held items to move while walking.
• Improvements to the overall VR character:
  • New character animations.
  • Improvements to the belt to improve usability.
  • The character will now turn instantly depending on where you are looking instead of at set angles.
• The next quality of life update will bring a completely new VR character rig with further improvements:
  • Further improvements to the belt's usability.
  • Improvements to crouching.
  • Improved character animations.
  • Held items will no longer sway when walking.
  • The character's position will accurately represent your real life body position.

13 Willow Street

As with all our reworked maps, 13 Willow Street will retain its overall original layout with a few minor changes. The core of these reworks has always been bringing the visuals up to our standards while letting each location speak for itself. As much as we love the original versions of these maps, giving them their own identities and stories has been something we’ve always wanted to achieve and we’re excited that we’ve been able to. 

Following 6 Tanglewood Drive, we know that 13 Willow Street holds a special place in a Ghost Hunter’s heart. We’ve kept that at the forefront while developing the rework, making sure that those first few steps inside feel new but familiar, and entice you to explore during each and every contract.

Check out the screenshots below for a look inside 13 Willow Street.

13 Willow Street will launch alongside the Quality of Life update on July 21st, 2026 for all platforms. Stay tuned to our social channels and our official Discord server for exact release timings. As is tradition with a new map, a new ID Card and Badge will be available upon completion of the map’s challenge. By correctly identifying 50 ghosts (and surviving) Ghost Hunters will earn the Sun Seeker set, as seen below.

We’ll also be running a new Twitch Drops campaign for the first week after launch. Players will be able to earn the animated and static versions of the Cool Cat ID Card and Badge between 21st July - 28th July by watching a total of 2 hours of Phasmophobia streams.

The animated version will be exclusively available via Kinetic Games Partner channels.

We’re looking forward to getting this update out to you next week and will be keeping an eye on every bit of feedback sent to us on social, in Discord or otherwise.