David Bridges
Exciting news is on the horizon for gaming enthusiasts! Firstly, the talented independent studio known for the beloved Overcooked series, Ghost Town Games, is developing a new and thrilling title named Stage Fright. This upcoming game promises to deliver both online and couch co-op experiences, making it an ideal choice for gamers who enjoy social play. Secondly, the game is being published by Hello Games, the studio behind the acclaimed No Man’s Sky. This collaboration marks Hello Games’ inaugural venture into publishing titles from other studios, which is incredibly exciting for fans of both companies!
Stage Fright is designed with a strong emphasis on cooperative gameplay, featuring mechanics that will evoke the familiar chaos seen in Overcooked. Players will navigate through a series of escape room scenarios set in a whimsically spooky world reminiscent of Luigi’s Mansion. Although a specific release date hasn’t been announced yet, eager fans can already add it to their wishlists on Steam.
The Overcooked franchise has significantly revitalized the cooperative gaming genre in recent years. It delivers fast-paced, frantic restaurant gameplay that becomes exponentially more entertaining and chaotic when shared with friends. While the original Overcooked featured local couch play, its sequel, Overcooked 2, introduced the possibility for online co-op, enhancing the experience further. Stage Fright is set to encapsulate all the valuable lessons that Ghost Town Games has gathered from their previous titles, offering both local and online cooperative play.
Tim Woodley, the publishing lead for Hello Games, shared, “Nothing else really played like Overcooked when it came out, and Stage Fright is just as innovative, but it’s heading in a very different direction.” This statement underscores the studio’s commitment to bringing fresh ideas to the gaming landscape while building on their successful foundations.
Ghost Town Games operates with a small, dedicated team of just three individuals: founders Oli De-Vine and Phil Duncan, alongside writer Gemma Langford. They have been diligently working on Stage Fright under the codename Project Attic, as the game has been developed in their actual attic space. Their official website also mentions six additional contributors who are part of the project, showcasing the collaborative effort behind this unique title. The partnership with Hello Games adds another layer of excitement to the development process.
De-Vine and Duncan have maintained a long-standing friendship with the team at Hello Games, including founders Sean Murray, Grant Duncan, Ryan Doyle, and David Ream. Their relationship dates back to the success of Joe Danger in 2010, when they played a crucial role in connecting Ghost Town with the eventual publisher of Overcooked, Team17. The original Overcooked launched in 2016, leading to a celebrated history in the realm of cooperative culinary gaming.
Woodley reminisced, “Phil and Oli visited us seeking advice with the very first demo of Overcooked about ten years ago. We have such fond memories of the four founders of Hello playing that demo, passionately shouting at each other about onions — it was immediately obvious that this was something special.” This anecdote highlights the close-knit nature of the gaming community and the collaborative spirit that fuels innovation.
Currently, Hello Games is hard at work on a new project titled Light No Fire, which is a cooperative survival and exploration game set on a fantasy planet comparable in size to Earth. This game promises to blend role-playing elements with sandbox mechanics. Furthermore, the studio continues to actively support and expand its groundbreaking title, No Man’s Sky, illustrating their commitment to ongoing development and innovation in the gaming industry. While Stage Fright will mark Hello’s debut as a third-party publisher, they are not transitioning to publishing as a full-time focus.
Woodley expressed, “Hello Games brings a wealth of experience that we can utilize behind the scenes, providing support where needed. However, if we’re honest, what truly excites us is the opportunity to work with a group of creative individuals we genuinely enjoy spending time with.” He added, “When we played an early version of Stage Fright, we felt the same thrill we experienced with Overcooked all those years ago. It’s just something we wanted to be involved in.” This enthusiasm reflects the passion and dedication that both teams have for creating games that resonate with players.
Be on the lookout for more updates regarding Stage Fright in the coming 12 months, as the anticipation builds for this exciting new title.
Daniel Mercer
