Stage Fright: New Co-Op Game Unveiled by Overcooked Studio

At The Game Awards 2024, Ghost Town Games, a developer well-loved for its co-op flexibility, lifted the curtain on their latest project, Stage Fright. Known for crafting culinary chaos in Overcooked, Ghost Town promises to deliver another unique cooperative twist with this new title. Although Stage Fright is set to launch on PC, no specific release date has been confirmed yet.

This indie powerhouse consists of a core team of three, expanding with collaborators for grander endeavors. Back in 2016, Overcooked made waves by establishing itself as a premier multiplayer experience. This success paved the way for Overcooked 2 in 2018, enhancing the delightful craziness with inventive new kitchens and trials. The tantalizing Overcooked! All You Can Eat left fans eager about what flavors the studio would whip up next.

Revealed at the celebrated awards night, Stage Fright aims to inject a fresh shot of cooperative excitement. Players will venture through a series of obstacles, explore diverse locales, and crack escape room puzzles, all while delving into an ancient mystery. If the multiplayer component mirrors Overcooked’s charm, players should brace themselves; the spirit of cooperation may face some friendly trials.

In the spotlight of Stage Fright’s narrative are Drew, Blake, and Charlie. Gamers will pair up with these characters, offering two distinct viewpoints and driving the game’s cooperative foundation. During a conversation with TheGamer, Hello Games—a name now tied to the game as its publisher—promised Overcooked-like chaos intermingled with fresh innovation. Built intentionally for co-op play, Stage Fright supports both online teaming and classic couch co-op for that nostalgic, side-by-side gaming joy.

A notable aspect of Stage Fright is its dedication to being inclusive and accessible. With a strong push towards inclusivity, the game emphasizes communication and teamwork, focusing on cerebral challenges rather than relying solely on physical dexterity. Despite the earlier Overcooked games having limited accessibility choices, Ghost Town Games is making strides by integrating an assist mode, following their efforts in Overcooked: All You Can Eat.

Though no launch date was divulged, a Hello Games representative teased that more insights into Stage Fright will emerge throughout the next year, hinting that its arrival might still be a ways off. Nonetheless, devotees of Overcooked have plenty to buzz about with this announcement, and they’ll want to keep an ear to the ground for more on this thrilling development.