An uncompromising plunge into extreme horror: MadMind Studio’s bold and ambitious new project, the independent team behind TORMENTOR.
MadMind Studio was founded in 2016 with the goal of creating some of the most visionary and provocative horror gaming experiences ever. Its early titles, such as Agony, Agony Unrated, and Succubus, caused quite a stir due to their themes and the way violence—particularly its glorification—was depicted in every sequence. MadMind Studio’s strength lies in its ability to push the boundaries of the horror gaming genre, much like cinema has done with niche, ultra-violent films such as Hellraiser, Guinea Pig, Martyrs, Event Horizon, and many others.
After a long development process, MadMind Studio is returning with its most ambitious and provocative title yet: TORMENTOR.
Will this new project stand out from the moment of its launch, or will the team repeat the mistakes of Agony? Will it be an agony or a small masterpiece? The answer lies in the hands of the developers. If you want to learn more about TORMENTOR, keep reading.
Stealth, Torture, and Management: Everything We Know About TORMENTOR
MadMind Studio’s new title is the perfect fusion of a management game and a horror experience based on stealth mechanics and online torture. The setting is a dilapidated underground prison located in the desert, which the player can customize with various tools—both for live streams and for torture and other operations. Live streams play a central role in the gameplay, allowing players to earn money from a paying audience. The more the player satisfies the audience’s requests, the higher the chances of gaining sponsors and, consequently, more funds to upgrade and expand the prison’s equipment.
Another key feature of the game is an advanced editor that allows players to create customized victims—not only in terms of physical appearance but also in voice and behavioral traits. Although the editor has not yet been showcased, developers describe it as extremely detailed and deep.
TORMENTOR lets players create their own version of Dead by Daylight, offering the possibility to either imprison or free their victims. Weapons and other objects can be placed around the environment to set up a real hunt, with the ultimate goal of deriving pure entertainment from it. However, since the protagonist is not a fighter, stealth will be crucial to avoid turning from predator to prey. Managing the facility and the victims will be essential. One of the first trailers, for instance, shows a sequence in which the player “feeds” a prisoner and decides her fate.
TORMENTOR will not be a game for everyone, but the possibilities it offers seem unique. If the team successfully balances the gameplay elements, it could result in an experience that is difficult to replicate and truly original.
The Story of TORMENTOR
Although the primary focus of the game is on management mechanics, TORMENTOR will also feature an intriguing story that provides details about its disturbing universe and the psychological aspects influencing the protagonist. The main character is mentally unstable and is manipulated by mysterious individuals who exploit his madness to fuel the live streams.
One of the most enigmatic characters introduced in the latest trailer is Bloody Mary, a woman who exerts a strong influence over the protagonist and takes perverse pleasure in torture. Her presence is made even more unsettling by the actress who portrays her: Shawnee Smith, famous for her role in the Saw horror saga.
TORMENTOR still holds many secrets, which will only be revealed upon the game’s release.
TORMENTOR Promises to Push Every Limit: Will It Be a “Must-Have” or a Media Controversy?
The gaming world needs experiences that challenge the limits of social acceptability, offering powerful, visionary, and thought-provoking content. Studios like MadMind Studio with TORMENTOR, Infinity Ward with the controversial No Russian mission in Call of Duty, Spec Ops: The Line with its brutal white phosphorus scene, and Delta Force: Black Hawk Down, which tells a tragic conflict from the perspective of the Navy SEALs, are examples of bold titles that place players in morally challenging situations.
Video games that dare to defy censorship and make players uncomfortable represent the future of the medium. They offer intense and provocative experiences capable of stimulating reflection, in contrast with restrictions imposed by many governments—often motivated more by the fear of addressing uncomfortable topics than by real necessity. Just like Rockstar’s Manhunt, TORMENTOR could face the same fate, as it shares Rockstar Games’ title’s explicit violence and highly controversial themes. At the moment, TORMENTOR has not yet sparked a major media scandal, but it is likely that it will provoke strong controversy upon release.
When Will TORMENTOR Be Released?
Currently, TORMENTOR is still in development and may take some more time before its release. In the meantime, the game is already available to add to your Steam wishlist. Will MadMind Studio surprise us once again? Only time will tell.
