Santa Claus Is Scarier Than Ever In This Hit PC Game

Anyone who's stopped for a moment to ponder the lyrics of "Santa Claus is Coming to Town" knows there's something a little menacing about the jolly holiday figure. After all, he sees you when you're sleeping, he knows when you're awake. Somehow, he also knows if you've been bad or good, so children should be good "for goodness' sake," but also presumably because they'll be in trouble with Santa if they fail to comply. One of the most terrifying games has picked up on the horror of Santa in a new update, inserting the omnipresent menace into an already scary landscape of ghosts.

"Phasmophobia" is ostensibly a haunted house simulator that puts players in the shoes of a group of ghost-hunters. Cheaters made the title nearly unplayable for scaredy cats and ultimately had to be fixed, but despite some flaws, the title's surprise success meant that developers could put more time and money into their labor of love. A new patch for "Phasmophobia" titled "Cursed Possessions" vaguely hinted at a "strange new ghost type," but didn't further elaborate what that meant. However, since the patch dropped players have been encountering a creepy Santa who is out for blood. However, this Santa isn't holly or jolly. He's actually quite terrifying.

Horror streamer Otter Lady tweeted a video of her initial reaction to the ghost Santa in "Phasmophobia," giggling in delight as she realized who was chasing her. The Santa in pursuit looked less plump than traditional depictions of Saint Nick, and suitably horrifying. @SailorSugarPlum had a similar reaction in a video she shared, commenting on Santa's iconic — and now horrifying — jingle bells. Players will be warned Santa Claus is coming to slay by the ominous jingle bells that sound before his arrival, giving them some time to run for cover. That being said, this Santa is fast and can chase down even the swiftest ghost hunters.

Curious "Phasmophobia" players can encounter Santa for themselves by going to the Maple Lodge Campsite, which is now covered in a festive blanket of snow. Careful readers of the "Cursed Possessions" patch note won't find a mention of Santa, but they will read about a new ghost type called the Mimic, which can, as its name suggests, copy other creatures. In a cruel twist of holiday fate, players will have to contend with both the Mimic and a ghostly Santa while playing "Phasmophobia." It's nothing that intrepid ghost hunters can't handle — although they might need a cup of hot cocoa and a warm blanket to stay brave.