Interview: Checking in with Poppy Playtime – Chapter 5 as the Game Launches

by

Poppy Playtime has quickly become incredibly popular, and you’ve probably seen it online. I first discovered it through short videos on social media, where I loved watching players get hilariously scared by Huggy Wuggy in the first chapter.

So, it’s been over four years since the first game came out – time really flies when you’re having fun, or… trying to survive, I guess! Anyway, Poppy Playtime – Chapter 5 is finally here on PC. If you’ve only watched other people play it online, let me tell you, it’s seriously a great time to jump in and experience it for yourself.

I recently interviewed George Krstic, the Senior Director of Creative Development at Mob Entertainment, to discuss the launch of their new game. We talked about Chapter 5, the Poppy Playtime series as a whole, and how feelings of childhood nostalgia contribute to the game’s scary and surprising moments.

Now that you’re about to start playing, here’s an interview to get you even more excited!

Interview with George Krstic of Mob Entertainment

Congratulations on releasing Chapter 5! It must be exciting to finally share what you’ve been working on with your fans – how does it feel?

It feels amazing! It’s like spending years planning a surprise party and then finally hearing the doorbell – a mix of excitement and relief, with a little hope that everyone else enjoys it even more than you do.

We’ve been working on Chapter 5 for a while now, and releasing it means we can finally share it with players and see their first impressions – that’s what we’re most excited about! This chapter brings together a lot of the story and background details we’ve been building up, so we’re really looking forward to seeing how our fans respond.

Wow, I’m hearing Chapter 5 has gotten way more Steam Wishlists than all the other chapters combined! That’s amazing! I’m really curious – does that huge amount of interest make the team more nervous about launching it, or are they just super excited to finally let us all play?

It’s absolutely a mix of both feelings. Seeing those numbers first makes you feel thankful, but then you realize the responsibility that comes with it. However, it’s a positive kind of pressure – it shows people are invested and engaged. Ultimately, we stay focused on creating something great that honors the support and dedication of our players.

What can players expect in Chapter 5 that’s new or different from anything they’ve seen in the game so far? (No spoilers, please!)

Chapter 5 focuses more on creating a strong mood and letting players discover things for themselves. We aimed to make the environments feel like they have a story to tell, even without characters speaking. There are more quiet, suspenseful moments designed to build tension and engage your imagination. We’ve introduced new characters before, but we think players will be really surprised by who appears this time and how they impact the story.

I’m really fascinated by how Poppy blends nostalgia with horror. What is it about bringing up childhood memories that makes a horror story so disturbing?

Children naturally trust the world around them – toys are meant to be welcoming, and bright colors are supposed to feel secure. When something familiar like that is subtly altered, it creates a jarring emotional experience. Your mind expects comfort, but your gut tells you something is wrong. This conflict is powerful because many people can connect to it. It’s not just about a simple fright; it taps into deeply held, often cherished, memories.

The team developing Poppy Playtime drew inspiration from various sources. Can you share some of the movies, TV shows, books, or video games that influenced the game’s creation?

When creating the game, our team drew inspiration from various sources. We were particularly influenced by games that built atmosphere through silence and environment, letting those elements tell the story. We also love monster movies that hint at, rather than show everything. We focused on understanding why certain scary moments stick with you long after you’ve experienced them, rather than simply copying existing horror. While atmospheric horror and well-placed jump scares were initial goals, Poppy developed its own unique feel, and that’s likely why fans connect with it so strongly.

I was inspired by Chapter 1 to start speedrunning! The way the character moves, how you plan the best path, and using the GrabPack all feel like they’d be perfect for speedrunning. Did the developers think about speedrunning at all when they were making the game?

That’s fantastic news! We’re thrilled to have you as part of the community. While we don’t intentionally design our game for speedrunning, we absolutely love watching people speedrun it. We focused on making the GrabPack feel natural and easy to use, and it’s amazing to see players discover clever ways to push the game’s limits. It’s especially funny when even experienced speedrunners get startled by jump scares, even after multiple attempts – timing really is everything!

Regarding the future of Poppy Playtime, do the developers have planned chapters and a general idea of how the story will end? Or are they aiming to leave the story open-ended, allowing for endless expansion?

We have a clear idea of how the story will ultimately end and the feelings we want to evoke. However, we’re also careful not to plan everything out too strictly, allowing for flexibility. The story’s world and our community have evolved together, and we want to respect that development as we move towards a fulfilling conclusion.

Q: What do you hope players ultimately get out of playing Chapter 5?

Stay at the forefront of gaming news, reviews, and insights with TopMob. Dive deeper into the world of PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, and beyond.
By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You can unsubscribe anytime.

We really want players to feel completely drawn into the story and appreciate the experience. We’ve carefully included details throughout the game that pay off later, and those moments where things come full circle are especially satisfying for us. It’s important to strike the right balance with the suspense – we want players to be scared, but also intrigued and eager to see what happens next. If they’re still pondering the characters, mysteries, and future events after finishing a chapter, we know we’ve succeeded.

Q: Anything else we haven’t touched on that you’d like to share with our readers?

We just want to express our gratitude to the amazing Poppy Playtime community! You all are so creative and passionate – constantly coming up with theories, mastering the game, creating incredible art, and even getting spooked while streaming! Chapter 5 is a reality thanks to your dedication and continued interest in this world. We can’t wait for you to return to Playtime Co. and experience everything that awaits!

Poppy Playtime – Chapter 5 is Out Now

Okay, so if you’re like me and super hyped for Poppy Playtime – Chapter 5, awesome news! It’s finally out on PC, and I’m already jumping in to play!

If you’re interested in playing, you can find the game on Steam. But before you start, it’s a good idea to quickly check around your house for anything out of the ordinary!

Read More

2026-02-18 20:10