Horror Hit Iron Lung Gets a PS5 Launch Trailer, But It's Been Available for Months

Why It Matters

The film’s success demonstrates the power of cross‑media promotion to extend an indie game’s lifecycle and boost console visibility, influencing sales and brand awareness.

Key Takeaways

• Markiplier's film revived interest in Iron Lung
• PS5 trailer released months after game launch
• Game launched on PlayStation Store Oct 16 2025
• Iron Lung praised for atmospheric, slow‑burn horror
• Cross‑media buzz drives console sales and visibility

Pulse Analysis

The recent Markiplier‑produced film adaptation of Iron Lung has turned a niche indie title into a cultural moment, illustrating how influencer‑driven media can amplify a game’s reach. By leveraging the YouTuber’s massive audience, the movie generated fresh curiosity that spilled over onto the PlayStation ecosystem, prompting Sony to finally push a dedicated launch trailer. This synergy underscores a growing trend where cinematic tie‑ins act as de‑facto marketing engines, especially for titles that lack traditional advertising budgets.

Iron Lung’s delayed PS5 trailer reveals the strategic timing challenges console publishers face when aligning game releases with external hype. Although the game has been purchasable on the PlayStation Store since October 2025, Sony waited for the film’s box‑office momentum before allocating promotional resources. For indie horror developers, this case study shows that platform holders may prioritize visibility based on cultural relevance rather than strict launch windows, offering a potential pathway to extended shelf life and renewed sales spikes.

Looking ahead, the Iron Lung episode suggests that developers and publishers should monitor cross‑media opportunities and be ready to capitalize on unexpected buzz. Influencer‑led adaptations, streaming series, or viral content can reshape a title’s narrative, prompting platforms to adjust marketing calendars on the fly. By embracing flexible promotion strategies, studios can turn peripheral excitement into measurable revenue, reinforcing the importance of integrated media planning in today’s competitive gaming landscape.

Horror Hit Iron Lung Gets a PS5 Launch Trailer, But It's Been Available for Months

Push Square · By Stephen Tailby · 1 hour ago

You may have heard rumblings of the horror adventure game Iron Lung lately, and that broadly comes down to a recent movie adaptation that's done very well for itself at the box office.

Spearheaded by YouTuber Mark Fischbach, aka Markiplier, the film has brought the game into the limelight, and it seems the fresh buzz has been felt at PlayStation.

Iron Lung has just received a launch trailer for PS5 over on the company’s YouTube channel, but what’s interesting is the game hasn’t just launched on the system; it’s been available on the PlayStation Store since 16 October 2025.

As mentioned, the only explanation is that the movie has made such an impact that it nudged along a trailer for the game that, by rights, should have been set live three months ago.

Anyway, the game itself is a short first‑person horror title in which you are sent in a rudimentary, one‑man submarine to explore the depths of an ocean of blood that’s been discovered on an alien moon.

You’re able to pilot the submarine and explore the ocean, but the catch is that you’re doing so blindly; you have an incomplete map, a basic camera that can take photos to help you orient yourself, and that’s about it.

As well as trying to steer the vessel so it doesn’t collide with anything, you need to carry out a series of objectives using nothing but the camera, the map, and your sense of direction.

The game didn’t receive many reviews when it first launched on PC in 2022, but it’s highly praised among players for its atmospheric, intense, slow‑burn horror.

So, there you go. In case you didn’t know, Iron Lung is on PS5, and it has been for months, despite the brand‑new trailer.

Have you played this one? Tell us in the comments section below.