Unveiling the Unsung Heroes of Indie Horror Gaming

Puppet Combo, to put it simply, stands as one of the most remarkable occurrences in indie horror gaming. Initially launched as “Pig Farmer Games” and established by Benedetto Cocuzza, Puppet Combo is a game development studio that focuses on delightfully grotesque, joyfully violent, and exceptionally surreal survival horror games. For horror game enthusiasts, it’s extremely probable you’ve encountered some of their creations!

Nun Massacre. Murder House. Stay Out of the House. The Glass Staircase (a personal favorite of mine)! They evoke nostalgia for a period when VHS tapes were common and the PlayStation 1 showcased astounding visuals! However, Puppet Combo’s impressive development history is one aspect. As the studio progressed and their influence grew, they concluded that merely creating exceptional indie horror games wasn’t sufficient. No! Before long, Puppet Combo would advocate for exceptional indie horror titles — establishing a publishing division (Torture Star Video) to elevate and assist fellow developers!

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Sniper Killer. Bloodwash. The Enigma of Salazar House. The Lakeview Cabin Collection. Home Safety Hotline. …The brilliantly titled The Booty Creek Cheek Freak. Just as A24 is to indie films and shows, and Devolver Digital is to “more conventional” indie games, Puppet Combo has become equally essential to indie horror gaming!

why puppet combo holds such significance within the broader landscape of the games industry

Ben Cocuzza is a somewhat enigmatic individual, to be honest (a trait I value greatly). However, in 2020, he conducted an interview with Rely on Horror, where he discussed his aspirations for Puppet Combo’s future. A key point was Cocuzza’s commitment to supporting other developers. Regardless of how prominent Puppet Combo becomes, Cocuzza emphasizes one thing: artistic expression and creativity are his top priorities, with “profitability” being secondary. When posed with the question of whether managing both publishing and development roles was draining, Cocuzza provided a remarkable response.

“Nowhere near as draining as it is rewarding. Although game development demands considerable time, it’s genuinely satisfying to witness creators you truly believe in getting an opportunity to share their visions. Plus, it certainly helps that I genuinely like the creators who’ve collaborated with the label so far. That contributes, too.”

The gaming industry requires more of that kind of indie encouragement and recognition. It’s reassuring to know there are still champions who acknowledge the importance of giving voice to those who might otherwise be marginalized by the larger industry.