The update included various bug fixes to improve general game stability following its massive initial surge in popularity. Historical Context At the time of v0.174, the game was still in its infancy:
Resolved a bug causing voice chat (local and global radio) to permanently cut out.
The genius of v0.174 lay not in what it gave the player, but in what it withheld. Modern Phasmophobia (as of 2024-2025) is a robust, complex piece of software with progression systems, customizable difficulties, and a laundry list of evidence-gathering tools. v0.174 had none of that. Instead, it had a thermometer, a photo camera, a spirit box, an EMF reader, and a profound sense of amateurish desperation.
Should it focus on a (like the old, massive Asylum)?
I can also provide a comparison of versus how they functioned in patch v0.174. Share public link
Ghost footsteps and vocalizations during hunts have received a minor audio pass, allowing players to better pinpoint verticality (whether a ghost is upstairs or downstairs) in multi-level maps like Sunny Meadows or Tanglewood Drive. Phasmophobia v0.174
, such as allowing them to properly grab objects on the ground and preventing them from interacting with items after "death". A fix for a bug where dead players
The team addressed a persistent issue for Steam players where the Voice Recognition system was not working correctly. This is a crucial fix for ensuring that the ghosts can hear your pleas (or questions) via the Spirit Box, Ouija Board, or general voice communication.
The update added a simple but essential line of text to the inventory screen, showing players the maximum number of items they could carry. This small change was crucial for new players learning the ropes of equipment management.
We stepped into the house, and the silence was heavy. I pulled out the old thermometer, the silver device that felt like a cheat code. The house was a steady 15 degrees Celsius. If we found a room below 10, we found the ghost. : I swept the living room. 15. 14. 12.
For players experiencing the game in its modern, polished state, v0.174 is a fascinating snapshot of a game on the cusp of greatness. It was the community's first real look at how Kinetic Games would iterate and improve its creation, laying the groundwork for the horror phenomenon Phasmophobia would become. The update included various bug fixes to improve
: The Crucifix was updated to have a maximum of 2 uses before it is consumed.
: It solidified the item's role as a preventative tool (stopping a hunt from initiating within its radius) rather than an item that could save you once a hunt had already begun. 3. Economy Changes and Photo Rewards
Before this patch, players frequently got confused about how many items they were bringing into a house or adding to the shared team truck. The v0.174 update added explicit visual text on the inventory selection screen detailing the maximum capacity for equipment. This allowed teams to optimize their budget and balance items like flashlights, EMF readers, and crucifixes before starting a contract. 2. Sanity-Based Light Flickering
: Version 0.174 stripped away this mechanic. Smudge Sticks were adjusted to have a delayed effect , meaning they would no longer stop a hunt. Instead, they briefly blinded the ghost, preventing it from targeting or pathing directly to a player for a short time. This forced players to use the item defensively to buy precious seconds to break line of sight and find a proper hiding spot. 2. Standardizing the Crucifix
Every patch in Phasmophobia has the potential to alter how ghosts behave during hunts or how equipment registers evidence. In v0.174, Kinetic Games has focused on refining stability and addressing specific physics interactions that players have been exploiting or struggling with. Modern Phasmophobia (as of 2024-2025) is a robust,
The update also includes changes to the game's mechanics, such as adjustments to the sanity system and ghost behavior. These changes make the game more challenging and unpredictable, requiring players to stay on their toes and think strategically.
Corrected a desynchronization issue where the host saw a different ghost type than the clients. 2. Virtual Reality (VR) Optimizations
[Old System: Small Interaction Range] -> Ghost struggles to interact on large maps [v0.174 System: Expanded Interaction Range] -> More frequent door slams, footsteps, and events
The Phasmophobia v0.174 update represents a significant milestone in Kinetic Games' ongoing effort to refine the most popular ghost-hunting simulation on the market. While major numbered updates often grab the headlines with new maps or ghosts, these iterative patches are the backbone of the game's stability and competitive integrity.