KMW, an indie developer and publisher, is back with an update regarding their long anticipated title, Giggleland, after over a year of radio silence. First announced in late 2024, Giggleland is a “first-person psychological horror game” that leans into the concept of mascot horror. After spending three years in development, KMW has proudly announced an official gameplay trailer and given fans a release date of October 26, 2026.”
“It’s been a while since I’ve met another kid,” remarks Eliot, the in-game Giggleland theme park guide, before asking “how’d you get in here?” Instead of a vocal response, this question is followed by a montage of different mascots, rooms, and jumpscares for players to anticipate on release day.
The player character, Tolie, is introduced on the Steam page, but not in the gameplay trailer. Eliot shares that “she doesn’t talk, but she knows how to listen, and that makes her the best kind of friend.” He then explains that “her dad is waiting for her somewhere in the park, so first we’re going to see Farmer Terry. He loves helping children find their way home!” A loud speaker announcement cuts through the text, presumably from Tolie’s dad: “Attention, guests. If you have seen a little girl wearing a white dress and a pink hat, please notify the nearest staff member immediately.”
Overall, gameplay mechanics are fairly user friendly, as Giggleland includes very few rules. Players are encouraged to “stay on the path, stay where I [Eliot] can see you,” and refrain from opening any doors labeled “staff only,” as it is “against the rules.” It features eight complete chapters, six hours of gameplay, and completely new mechanics that “no other horror game has done, some of them [taking place] outside the game.”
Since Giggleland‘s initial 2024 announcement, KMW has become fully immersed in the fictional theme park, despite their lengthy silence. Their name, KMW, stands for Kids Media Workshop, a corporation central to the game’s plot. Additionally, in June of 2025, a demo titled Giggleland: Terry’s Vegetable Patch was pushed to Steam, receiving over five hundred “Very Positive Reviews.” Recently, KMW has designed a website to promote the game before its release later this month.