Wolf Haus Games has taken an unconventional approach to quality assurance for its upcoming cult simulator JOIN US. The developer recruited four actual ex-cult members to play the game, bringing over 50 years of combined lived experience to the playtest session. The footage, shared via the game’s official Steam news page, offers a rare glimpse into how people with firsthand knowledge of cult dynamics react to a game built around them. The news was reported by Cgmagonline.
The playtest comes ahead of the game’s March 2027 launch, following its reveal during Summer Game Fest 2026. JOIN US will be available on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store, supporting up to 4-player co-op. The game tasks players with building the ultimate cult, from farming and base construction to recruiting followers and engaging in car chases and shootouts.
Ex-Cult Members React to the Gameplay
The playtest footage captures a range of reactions from the four participants. One ex-cult member noted that their former group “only used knives and was one of peace,” offering a matter-of-fact observation about their past. Another described their experience as “a more holistic one, living off the land as they harvest tomatoes digitally,” drawing a direct line between their real-life background and the game’s farming mechanics.
The reactions to the gameplay itself were mixed. Some of the ex-cult members appeared to be thoroughly enjoying themselves, stumbling upon UFOs and shooting up gas stations with visible enthusiasm. Others, however, seemed less impressed by the experience. The footage doesn’t specify which aspects of the game drew the negative reactions, but the contrast between the participants’ responses adds an interesting layer to the playtest.
What JOIN US Offers Players
Beyond the novelty of the playtest, JOIN US promises a sandbox-style approach to cult management. Players can expect to farm resources, build bases, recruit followers, and engage in chaotic action sequences including car chases and shootouts. The 4-player co-op mode allows friends to manage their cult together, either working in tandem or potentially competing for dominance.
The game’s premise taps into a growing interest in simulation games that explore unconventional themes. By bringing in actual ex-cult members to playtest, Wolf Haus Games is making a deliberate effort to ground the experience in some degree of authenticity, even as the gameplay veers into more fantastical territory with UFO encounters and over-the-top action.
Release Timing and Platform Availability
JOIN US is scheduled to launch in March 2027 across all four platforms. The simultaneous release on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, Steam, and Epic Games Store suggests Wolf Haus Games is aiming for broad market coverage. The Summer Game Fest 2026 reveal generated initial buzz, and this playtest video serves as a follow-up to maintain momentum during the development cycle.
Whether the ex-cult members’ feedback will influence the final game remains to be seen. The developer hasn’t shared specific changes based on the playtest, but the footage itself serves as both a marketing piece and a genuine attempt to validate the game’s thematic core. For a game about building cults, having people who’ve actually lived in them weigh in is a distinctive — and potentially valuable — perspective.
