A new era of horror is coming to tabletop gaming as Spin Master announces the release of a new trading card game called ‘Hellbreak’.
The new game from Spin Master and Universal Products & Experiences was created in tandem with the legendary game design team at Ghost Galaxy. The collaborators say Hellbreak will give horror fans and TCG (trading card game) players alike a haunting new way to engage with their favorite characters from a vast trove of Universal’s horror IP.
Hellbreak celebrates the world of horror in a fast, bloody, competitive and highly collectible TCG that is sure to enthrall and terrorize fans and players.
The gameplay revolves around the idea of a “Monster Sandbox,” an arena in which fan-favorite characters in horror history fight to the bitter end. Forged from the legacy of Universal Monsters where cinematic horror began, the initial card set will feature a stunning array of Universal Pictures’ characters that encompasses genre-defining classics, icons of horror’s late 20th century resurgence, and modern era visionaries who continue to shape fear for modern audiences.
Spin Master says this is only the beginning.
With Universal as the creative cornerstone of Hellbreak, Spin Master says it is building an unprecedented horror crossover universe that will include additional major studios and their characters from across the horror genre.
“Hellbreak brings together two of the hottest trends, horror and TCGs,” said Doug Wadleigh, President, Spin Master Toys. “With Universal Products & Experiences as our flagship partner, and other major studios soon to be announced, we’ve created an enticing property unlike anything the TCG category has even seen.
“Embracing cinematic storytelling in an immersive gameplay format, Hellbreak will grip players from their first pack to their hundredth, while also strengthening our presence in this high-growth category.”
Rafa Macias, Global CPG Commercial Officer, Universal Products & Experiences, says the attraction for the studio was to be able to deliver horror stories in a new and creative format.
“At a time when fans are craving deeper, more atmospheric experiences, Hellbreak allows us to deliver horror in a frightening new way,” said Rafa Macias, Global CPG Commercial Officer, Universal Products & Experiences. “With the rise in popularity of trading card games, and how passionate horror fans are around the world, we saw an opportunity to extend the lore of horror to TCG, working with true masters of the craft, to create a genuinely elevated and chilling gameplay experience.”
Hellbreak leverages Ghost Galaxy’s decades of innovation in trading card game design, development, and player engagement.
“Hellbreak was designed to feel dangerous, cinematic, and endlessly replayable,” said Christian T. Petersen, CEO of Ghost Galaxy and design lead on Hellbreak. “Every monster, mechanic, and aspect is built to create unforgettable and terrifying moments at the table; the kind players will be talking about long after the match ends.”
Hellbreak is scheduled for a global launch in Fall 2026, with additional details on gameplay, artwork, character factions, and collector editions to be revealed in the coming year.