The cinematic third-person action thriller invites players into a double life as a DVD store owner by day and ruthless contract killer by night
August 27, 2026. AttritoM7 Productions and IZilla Games have announced that BLACKWOOD: Act 1 will launch on PC via Steam on September 16, 2026, accompanied by a new release date trailer offering a closer look at the cinematic third-person action thriller.
Set in New York in 2012, BLACKWOOD follows an unassuming DVD store owner living a secret double life as a contract killer. While the store provides the façade of an ordinary existence, a second life awaits beyond its doors, drawing players into a dangerous criminal underworld where every contract brings new threats and buried secrets closer to the surface.
The release date announcement trailer provides a first look at what awaits when Act 1 launches, showcasing the game’s cinematic presentation, action and the two very different sides of its protagonist’s life.
Combining third-person action, responsive gunplay, grounded melee combat and brutal contextual takedowns with a cinematic narrative, BLACKWOOD gives players the freedom to approach encounters through a mixture of precision, movement and environmental interaction. Dives, rolls and slides allow players to move fluidly through combat, while contextual executions add a visceral edge to close-quarters encounters.
Away from the action, players return to the DVD store and apartment that form the protagonist’s everyday life. The store can be managed and customised, with players restocking shelves, organising inventory, setting prices and decorating their surroundings. These quieter activities provide a contrast to the increasingly dangerous world outside, while giving players a glimpse into the life the protagonist is trying to maintain.
As the story unfolds, the two sides of that life become increasingly difficult to separate. A cast of flawed characters, hidden secrets and criminal conspiracies draw the protagonist deeper into a world where his past and present begin to collide.
ACT 1 Arrives September 16
BLACKWOOD: Act 1 is the first chapter of a planned three-act story, but BLACKWOOD is not an Early Access title.
Launching September 16, Act 1 delivers four main story missions, alongside multiple side missions and additional content, offering more than six hours of gameplay.
The planned story structure consists of four main missions in Act 1, four in Act 2 and five in Act 3. These numbers refer to the main story missions only, with each Act also containing multiple side missions and additional content for players to discover.
Each Act is designed as a complete story arc that can stand on its own, while also advancing the overarching BLACKWOOD narrative. This gives each chapter its own beginning, development and conclusion while building towards the larger story across all three Acts.
Players purchasing BLACKWOOD will be purchasing the full game, with Acts 2 and 3 planned as free updates for existing owners. Act 2 is currently planned for March 2027, followed by Act 3 in September 2027, continuing the story and expanding the world as the remaining chapters are released.
Between the major Act releases, patches will introduce new side missions and other smaller pieces of content, giving players additional reasons to return to the game. As BLACKWOOD expands, each Act will also bring new additions where applicable, including collectibles, achievements, takedowns, weapons, enemy variations and other side content.
This structure allows players to begin their journey with BLACKWOOD in September while the development team continues to expand the complete experience, with new content arriving both alongside the major story Acts and between them.
BLACKWOOD Key Features
- Live a Dangerous Double Life – Manage a Brooklyn DVD store by day to earn clean money before stepping into the role of a professional assassin after dark.
- Grounded Cinematic Combat – Master brutal close-quarters combat, dynamic environmental takedowns, firearms, and tactical third-person action.
- Authentic 2012 New York – Journey through a richly crafted recreation of the city, where every location helps bring Anton Blackwood’s story to life.
- Meaningful Progression & Customization – Upgrade weapons, acquire new equipment, manage resources, and tailor Anton’s abilities to suit your preferred playstyle.
- Narrative-Driven Gameplay – Experience a mature story where every contract, conversation, and relationship helps shape Anton’s journey.
- Seamless Cinematic Presentation – Blending gameplay and storytelling together with fluid transitions and an original soundtrack composed entirely in-house by AttritoM7 Productions.
BLACKWOOD: Act 1 launches September 16, 2026 on PC via Steam. Wishlist on Steam now.
About AttritoM7 Productions
AttritoM7 Productions is a game development and publishing company based in Bangladesh, specializing in the creation of original video game titles, including Agontuk and Zero Hour.
About IZilla Games
IZilla Games is an independent game publisher born from Infernozilla, a marketing agency that has helped more than 200 games reach the market. Built by gamers, for gamers, IZilla Games is dedicated to helping indie developers bring their games to players through a developer-friendly publishing model. Visit the IZilla Games website to learn more.
