Legendary game designer Greg Johnson and HumaNature Studios will launch Dancing with Ghosts into Steam Early Access for PC on October 8, 2026. The life-sim is a deeply personal project for Johnson, whose previous work includes the ToeJam & Earl franchise, the Starflight series, and Doki-Doki Universe.
The game was inspired by Johnson’s experience following the tragic loss of his 28-year-old daughter and the devastation his family experienced during the 2023 Maui wildfires. During that difficult period, Johnson found comfort in the Thai culture and traditions introduced to him by his wife, Sirena. Those traditions helped shape the game’s focus on finding ways to move forward through grief while celebrating joy, community, and Thai culture.
HumaNature Studios brought together developers, artists, animators, voice actors, and other talent from Thailand and the Thai diaspora to help bring that vision to life.
In Dancing with Ghosts, players follow 15-year-old Mai, who loses her parents in a tragic accident and must rebuild her life in the Thai river village where she grew up. While dealing with the loss of her family, Mai encounters Pim, a friendly young ghost who remembers very little about her life among the living. Pim is thrilled to discover that Mai can see and communicate with her.
Together, Mai and Pim look for ways to help the people around them while making something positive from their circumstances. The game draws inspiration from the Thai concept of utit suan boon kusohn, which involves dedicating good karma to help ease the way for those who have passed.
Players can take on a variety of activities throughout the village, including making deliveries by boat and scooter and preparing Thai dishes for villagers. Completing these tasks earns Karma for Pim while helping the community.
The game also features original music performed by Genevieve Goings, known for Disney’s Choo Choo Soul, and internationally recognized reggae artist Conkarah. Mai can learn dance moves from her late mother and use her journal to sketch and process her emotions.
Pim also has a unique ability that allows her to enter the bodies of villagers and hear their innermost thoughts. Players can collect Heartlights to help villagers escape shadow spirits, adding another layer to the game’s exploration of grief, connection, and healing.
“Dancing with Ghosts is a deliberately joyful experience,” said Greg Johnson, creator of Dancing with Ghosts and founder of HumaNature Studios. “We all experience sadness because that’s a natural part of being human – I had to find my way back to joy, and I want this game to help others on their path, while celebrating the Thai culture that guided me there.”
Dancing with Ghosts launches into Steam Early Access for PC on October 8, 2026, priced at $14.99. The game will feature English and Thai text and voice acting, while a free demo is available now.