Ghost Town Games, better known as the creator of the Overcooked series, has revealed the first gameplay of its upcoming co-op game, Stage Fright, along with the expected release window. The Overcooked franchise celebrated its 10th anniversary in August 2026, and Ghost Town Games said the team has been working on Stage Fright for the past five years.
According to the studio, Stage Fright will stay loyal to Overcooked in some aspects, but it will also offer a whole new experience to fans of co-op games. “We wanted to protect the one-button accessibility of Overcooked.” The developer then added, “But we also wanted to take those Overcooked players out of the confines of the kitchen and off on an adventure into a larger, more involving saga: Stage Fright.”
Stage Fright’s Release Window and Platforms
Ghost Town Games has partnered with a new publisher, Hello Games, which is best known for No Man’s Sky. The two companies plan to release Stage Fright in Spring 2027, though an exact date has yet to be confirmed. As for its platforms, Stage Fright is coming to PC via Steam, while its console release is currently a Nintendo Switch exclusive. It remains to be seen if the developer will bring Stage Fright to more platforms in the future, but the Overcooked games have been released on most major platforms, including Xbox and PlayStation.
On September 9, Ghost Town Games revealed the first look at Stage Fright‘s gameplay. It is going to be a two-player co-op game with support for split-screen and online play. There are three main characters named Drew, Blake, and Charlie, with players having the option to pick any two of them for their playthroughs. Based on the trailer, Stage Fright appears to be a game like It Takes Two and Split Fiction, as it requires asymmetric teamwork focused on puzzle-solving rather than the chaotic cooperation seen in Overcooked games.
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Image via Ghost Town Games -
Image via Ghost Town Games -
Image via Ghost Town Games
Ghost Town Games said, “In contrast to the fraught urgency of time-based levels [of Overcooked], in Stage Fright, players can immerse themselves in a long-form mystery which requires them to work together to solve escape room-like puzzles.” The developer has also been open about the inspirations behind Stage Fright. Coming-of-age shows like The Goonies and Stranger Things have played a role in creating the game’s atmosphere and story. Additionally, titles like Luigi’s Mansion have seemingly inspired Stage Fright‘s co-op gameplay.
Despite the first trailer, many gameplay details in Stage Fright remain unrevealed. However, it has been confirmed that players will be able to switch between the three characters and that the story will unfold through two unique perspectives. Additionally, communication will seemingly play a key role in progression, as some missions appear to separate the players, with each receiving their own specific objective that can affect the other’s gameplay.
- Developer(s)
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Ghost Town Games
- Multiplayer
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Local Co-Op, Online Co-Op
- Number of Players
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1-2
- Steam Deck Compatibility
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Unknown
