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Interview: “We’re Not Making A Party Game Now, It’s More Of An Evening Thing” – Ghost Town Is Moving On From Overcooked
Ghost Town Games has revealed details about Stage Fright, their next project following the phenomenal success of Overcooked. The new game shifts from frenetic kitchen co-op gameplay to puzzle-focused challenges in a spooky playground setting, launching in 2027. Founders Oli De-Vine and Phil Duncan discussed how they're evolving their approach whilst maintaining the collaborative spirit that made Overcooked a cultural phenomenon.
Overcooked's success was neither immediate nor guaranteed, with the founders facing rejection from nearly every publisher before Team17 agreed to publish it. Stage Fright draws inspiration from escape rooms, maintaining the emphasis on communication and teamwork against the clock, but is positioned as an "evening thing" rather than a party game. The developers noted they inadvertently created a game that appealed to both experienced gamers and casual players, and Stage Fright aims to build on this broad appeal with a larger adventure.
In short
- Ghost Town Games' new game Stage Fright launches 2027, shifting from Overcooked's cooking chaos
- Puzzle-focused gameplay inspired by escape rooms, emphasising collaboration over speed
- Designed for both casual and experienced players, branded as "evening thing" not party game
Explained simply
Ghost Town Games is an indie studio best known for Overcooked, a cooperative kitchen game that became a global hit. Founders Oli De-Vine and Phil Duncan initially struggled to find a publisher, facing rejection from nearly every major company before Team17 agreed to publish the game. Overcooked's success came from appealing to both experienced gamers and casual players alike.
The studio has now revealed Stage Fright, launching in 2027. The new game shifts from kitchen simulation to puzzle-solving challenges in a spooky playground, drawing inspiration from escape rooms. Like Overcooked, it emphasises teamwork and communication against the clock, but is positioned as an "evening thing"—a longer adventure—rather than a party game for quick sessions.
Stage Fright differs from Overcooked in tone, setting and core gameplay, though both centre on cooperation. The puzzle-focused playground represents a departure from the kitchen setting of Ghost Town's first game. Stage Fright will be the studio's first major release following Overcooked's worldwide success.
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