Puppet Combo

Puppet Combo

Company type	Independent
Industry	Video game development
Founded	2012
Founder	Benedetto "Ben" Cocuzza
Headquarters	Brooklyn , United States
Area served	Worldwide
Key people	Benedetto "Ben" Cocuzza (manager)
Products	Survival horror video games (e.g., Nun Massacre, Murder House)
Number of employees	1 (2024)

Puppet Combo is an independent American game development studio established in 2012 by Benedetto "Ben" Cocuzza, operating out of Brooklyn. Managed exclusively by Cocuzza, the studio is recognized for crafting survival horror titles that draw inspiration from early PlayStation-era visuals and 1980s slasher and exploitation cinema. Among its prominent releases are Nun Massacre (2018) and the widely praised Murder House (2020). Puppet Combo mainly distributes its games via Patreon and Itch.io. In 2021, Cocuzza introduced Torture Star Video, a publishing label dedicated to lo-fi horror games.

Development

Originally launched as Pig Farmer Games in 2012, Puppet Combo was born from Cocuzza’s enthusiasm for transforming slasher film themes into interactive experiences. The development approach centers on PS1-inspired graphics, explicit gore, jump scares, and VHS-style visuals, positioning Puppet Combo as a leading figure in the indie PS1-style horror genre alongside developers such as Kitty Horrorshow.

Early efforts included Sanitarium Massacre, a stealth horror title set in a 1978 sanitarium environment, which was ultimately discontinued with its assets reused in Halloween (2013). This free survival horror game took cues from the 1978 film but was later renamed Babysitter Bloodbath following copyright complications. Featuring tank controls and alternating between third- and first-person viewpoints, the game reflected influences from classic horror franchises like Silent Hill.

In 2015, Puppet Combo launched Power Drill Massacre, a Unity-based slasher game inspired by The Texas Chain Saw Massacre. It received praise for its effective jump scares and authentic grindhouse aesthetic, further solidifying the studio’s reputation for delivering genuine horror experiences. Starting in 2017, Puppet Combo began leveraging Patreon to support its game development financially.

The release of Nun Massacre in 2018 expanded the studio’s catalog with a 32-bit stealth survival horror set within a Catholic boarding school. The title garnered favorable reviews and was subsequently ported to PlayStation and Nintendo Switch platforms in 2022. That same year, releases such as Feed Me, Billy!, noted for its psychologically unsettling gameplay, and Night Shift, which Cocuzza is adapting into a feature film, further diversified the portfolio.

In 2019, The Glass Staircase was introduced on PC via Itch.io, drawing inspiration from PlayStation 2-era games and Italian horror cinema. Puppet Combo’s major breakthrough arrived with Murder House (2020), initially released on Steam and later on consoles including PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch. Featuring a serial killer antagonist, retro-style graphics, and a horror synth soundtrack, the game received critical acclaim for its nostalgic yet fresh take on survival horror and cultivated a devoted fanbase.

December 2021 marked the debut of Christmas Massacre, a score attack game starring a murderous Santa Claus figure. Despite facing controversy due to mature content limiting console availability, it was recognized as one of the year’s top horror games. In October 2022, Puppet Combo released Stay Out of the House, a stealth horror title celebrated for its refined design and enhanced commercial appeal relative to earlier works.

Industry recognition includes Puppet Combo securing second place on IGN’s 2022 list of best PC horror games. Media outlets such as Vice have praised the company as an innovator within indie horror gaming. Its influence extends to emerging creators; for instance, Tomás Esconjaureguy credited Puppet Combo with defining a new genre through his 2022 release The Night of the Scissors. By focusing strategically on niche retro aesthetics combined with engaging gameplay mechanics, Puppet Combo has driven significant growth and established a strong presence in the indie horror market.

Publishing

In June 2019, Puppet Combo released the 8-bit horror title Tonight It Follows, developed by Jordan King, through their Puppet Combo Presents label and distributed via Patreon. By 2021, Puppet Combo established Torture Star Video, a publishing entity dedicated to lo-fi horror experiences. Under this label, Bloodwash, a horror game with giallo influences and PlayStation aesthetics created by Henry Hoare and Jordan King, was launched in September 2021. The storyline centers on Sara, who confronts a serial murderer known as the Womb Ripper while visiting a laundromat. Bloodwash earned the distinction of being the fifth best horror game of 2021 according to Survival Horror Downloads. While PC Gamer commended its character development and atmosphere, the game faced criticism for leaning on overused clichés and controversial themes.

Additionally, Puppet Combo published Night Signal Entertainment's 2024 release Home Safety Hotline across PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series, Xbox One, and Nintendo Switch platforms in September 2024. Torture Star Video's portfolio also includes titles such as Sniper Killer, The Enigma of Salazar House, The Lakeview Cabin Collection, and The Booty Creek Cheek Freak. Dwayne Jenkins from Vice emphasized Puppet Combo's prominent role within the indie horror scene, likening its influence to A24's impact on independent cinema and Devolver Digital's significance in mainstream indie gaming.

Games

Year	Title	Platform(s)	Notes
2013	Babysitter Bloodbath	PC	Initially launched as Halloween under Pig Farmer Games; renamed due to copyright conflicts with the 1978 film Halloween.
2015	Power Drill Massacre		Template:N/A
2016	Meat Cleaver Mutilator		Template:N/A
2017	The Night Ripper		Template:N/A
2018	Night Shift		Template:N/A
	Spiders		Template:N/A
	Feed Me Billy		Template:N/A
	Nun Massacre	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Released initially on PC in 2018; later expanded to other platforms in 2022 featuring a Definitive Edition update.
2019	The Glass Staircase	PC	Template:N/A
	The Riverside Incident		Template:N/A
	Day Seven		Template:N/A
	Samhain		Template:N/A
	Scary Tales Vol. 1		A compilation comprising previously released games.
2020	Night Watch		Template:N/A
	Murder House	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch	Debuted on PC in 2020; console editions were made available in 2021.
2021	Christmas Massacre	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5	Initially released for PC in 2021; consoles received it in 2023.
2022	Stay Out of the House	PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Launched first on Patreon and Early Access; full release on Steam occurred in October 2022; additional platforms followed by June 2023.

Games published

Year	Title	Developer	Platform(s)	Notes
2019	Search Party	Lum	PC	Template:N/A
	Tonight It Follows	Jordan King		Template:N/A
	These Trees Are Spectral Fingers	kavvkka		Template:N/A
2020	Ski Freak	Jordan King		Template:N/A
	The Summoning
	The Enigma of Salazar House	Maldo19
Bloodwash	Jordan King	PC, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Initially launched on PC; console versions were released in October 2022.
Deadly Night	Cubyte Games	PC
The Booty Creek Cheek Freak	Jordan King
Night at the Gates of Hell	Jordan King	PC, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Console editions became available in September 2023 following an initial PC launch.
Rewind or Die	COMP-3 Interactive	PC, Xbox Series X/S
Ding Dong Dead	Jordan King
No One Lives Under the Lighthouse	Marevo Collective	PC, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Originally an independent release in 2020; republished for consoles by Torture Star Video in May 2023.
Cannibal Abduction	Selewi	PC, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Released independently in 2023; console republishing occurred February 2024.
The Night of the Scissors	Selewi	PC, PlayStation 4/5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Bundled with Cannibal Abduction for its February 2024 console launch.
The Lakeview Cabin Collection	HypnoGames	PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S	Initially released in 2015; Torture Star Video republished it in July 2024.
Home Safety Hotline	Night Signal Entertainment	PC, PlayStation 4/5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch	Originally launched independently in 2024; republished by Torture Star Video as of September that year.
Sniper Killer	Jordan King	PC