Fall Guys veterans have launched a brand-new studio called Panic Stations, with the mission of creating innovative multiplayer co-op games. The move represents both a continuation of their playful design philosophy and a bold step into new creative territory.
The team behind Panic Stations is composed of several former Mediatonic developers who played pivotal roles in the creation of Fall Guys: Ultimate Knockout. That game, released in 2020, became a cultural phenomenon almost overnight. Its blend of chaotic obstacle courses, slapstick physics, and battle royale structure captured the imagination of millions during the height of the pandemic.
Key personnel now at Panic Stations include:
- Joe Walsh – Former Lead Designer on Fall Guys, credited with shaping the game’s whimsical mechanics and its “game show meets battle royale” identity. Walsh has spoken about his passion for designing games that are as fun to watch as they are to play.
- David Bailey – Another Mediatonic veteran, bringing experience in production and team leadership. Bailey has emphasized the importance of building studios that prioritize creativity and sustainable work culture.
- Other ex-Mediatonic creatives – Several designers, engineers, and artists who contributed to Fall Guys’ success have joined the new venture, ensuring that Panic Stations inherits a strong foundation of multiplayer expertise.
🚀 Why Panic Stations?
The studio’s name reflects both urgency and collaboration—two qualities central to co-op gameplay. Their stated mission is to create “games that bring people together through shared challenges and laughter.” Unlike competitive battle royales, Panic Stations is focusing on cooperative multiplayer experiences where success depends on teamwork, communication, and improvisation.
This direction is a natural evolution from Fall Guys. While Fall Guys thrived on competition, its most memorable moments often came from chaotic cooperation—players helping (or hindering) each other in obstacle courses. Panic Stations seems intent on leaning fully into that spirit of shared chaos.
🏗️ The Backstory: From Mediatonic to Epic
To understand the significance of this move, it’s worth revisiting the Fall Guys journey:
- 2018–2020: Development at Mediatonic, with Walsh and team pitching the concept as a “battle royale game show.”
- August 2020: Launch of Fall Guys, published by Devolver Digital. It quickly became one of the most downloaded PlayStation Plus titles ever and a Twitch sensation.
- 2021: Epic Games acquired Mediatonic, integrating Fall Guys into its ecosystem. While this gave the game more resources and cross-platform reach, some original developers sought new creative independence.
- 2023–2024: Walsh and colleagues departed to form Panic Stations, aiming to recapture the scrappy, experimental energy of their early Fall Guys days.
🌐 What to Expect from Panic Stations
Although no specific titles have been announced yet, the studio has teased:
- Small-team co-op games that emphasize replayability.
- Accessible mechanics designed for broad audiences, much like Fall Guys.
- A focus on humor and unpredictability, ensuring that every session feels like a story worth sharing.
Given their track record, it’s reasonable to expect something colorful, chaotic, and community-driven.
The rise of Panic Stations highlights a broader trend in the industry: veteran developers leaving major studios to form smaller, independent teams where they can experiment more freely. For players, this means more inventive multiplayer experiences that don’t just chase trends but try to redefine them.
