Solo developer Niels van der Ven of Japhet Interactive has released a free Steam demo of Scream Operator: Haunted House Manager, a pixel-art horror management sim that puts players in the control booth of a haunted dark ride instead of in the cart. The full game is slated for Q1 2027.
Players load nervous guests into carts, start the pre-show, send the carts into the darkness, and keep the power running. Every scream earns money, which goes toward props and animatronics that make the next ride scarier. The game is rendered in hand-drawn pixel art, and its Steam description adds that players earn cash and prestige to rebuild the mansion, automate the ride, and survive every shift.
The demo runs about 30 to 45 minutes and ends with a “Halloween Night Finale.” The game passed 11,500 wishlists during Steam Next Fest. Japhet Interactive is credited as developer, with Gamersky Games and Level Up Gaming Publishing listed as publishers.
With Halloween this Saturday, the demo makes a timely pick for anyone who has ever wondered what it takes to run a haunt. A press kit with a trailer, clips, and GIFs is available from the developer.
Try the free demo and wishlist Scream Operator on Steam.
