'Overcooked broke you apart and Stage Fright is there to put you back together'
Ghost Town Games, creators of the chaotic Overcooked series, announced Stage Fright, a 2027 co-op adventure designed to strengthen friendships through communication-focused puzzles and local-like online play.
Overcooked’s reputation for stressing friendships inspired Ghost Town Games to pivot with Stage Fright, a co-op adventure launching in early 2027. Published by Hello Games, the game marks a tonal shift from the series’ kitchen chaos, aiming to foster positive communication between players. Co-director Oliver De-Vine described it as a deliberate move toward constructive co-op experiences, emphasizing community and verbal interaction over controller precision.
Stage Fright introduces a Luigi’s Mansion-style adventure where two players guide children through puzzles, threats, and a mystery without inventory management. The developers retained Overcooked’s accessibility with single-button actions while expanding puzzle complexity. De-Vine highlighted the game’s focus on verbal communication, ensuring all clues and interactions remain audible to both players.
The game supports both local and online play, with online sessions using splitscreen to replicate the intimacy of sitting beside a friend. Duncan explained the goal is to mimic the physical cues of local co-op, such as pointing or nudging, even in remote play. This design choice aims to reduce the friction often found in online multiplayer.
Ghost Town Games avoided traditional adventure game mechanics like note-taking or inventory systems to keep interactions natural. De-Vine compared the game’s structure to a family-friendly Silent Hill, where puzzles may require remembering clues for later use. The developers stressed that accessibility and communication remain central, ensuring players focus on collaboration rather than frustration.