Maracas Studio Unveils Fish Stick Protocol - A Wild Co-Op Expedition Game with Procedural Dimensions and Chaotic Charm
Independent developer Maracas Studio has announced its debut title, Fish Stick Protocol, a uniquely chaotic co-op experience for 1-8 players set across unpredictable, procedurally generated dimensions. The game is set to launch later this year.
In Fish Stick Protocol, players are contracted by The Owner to retrieve strange and valuable artifacts from chaotic alternate dimensions. Each expedition is packed with killer plants, shifting gravity, and nonsense anomalies.
Created in Charleroi, Belgium, Fish Stick Protocol is Maracas Studio’s response to the growing genre of “fear-with-friends” co-op games but with a twist. Rather than leaning into horror or tension, the game focuses on unpredictable humor, cartoon violence, and the joy of barely pulling things off. It’s where dark comedy meets cozy progression in a world as ridiculous as dangerous.
A Word from the Team
“The 'Fear with Friends' genre-found in titles like Lethal Company, Content Warning, or R.E.P.O.-has always resonated with us. We’ve spent countless hours playing those kinds of games. When we started working on our own, we felt confident we could bring something fresh to the table: something less horror-driven, with more open and unpredictable environments, and a cute-but-gory art style reminiscent of Happy Tree Friends.
We deliberately moved away from the usual grimy aesthetics in favor of a more colorful world, filled with lovable characters-even if they’re missing an arm or half-melted by acid. The game’s deeply cynical subject, where overworked employees risk their lives to decorate the huge manor of an obviously absent, filthy-rich owner, is also very inspiring for us,” said Fabrice Daniel, CEO of Maracas Studio.
Key Features:
Online co-op for up to 8 players and even more (or solo play)
Procedurally generated, open environments
Evolving hub: decorate and upgrade your manor with rare artifacts brought back from missions
No permadeath: keep progressing, no matter what happens
A tone that blends cute, gore, and unpredictable chaos, delivering something fresh in the co-op space
Localization at launch in English, French, German, Spanish, Korean, Simplified Chinese, Japanese, Polish, and Brazilian Portuguese
Fish Stick Protocol will be released in 2025, with an exact launch date to be announced. Players can wishlist the game now on Steam.