- A new title from Liverpool-based Starlight Games, the developers of House of Golf VR
- Open sandbox terrain · Overloaded kart system, physics – based comedy mixing cooperation and obstruction
A free demo of ‘Monkey Bizniz’, a physics-based cooperative comedy game developed and published by the indie studio Starlight Games in Liverpool, UK, has been released on Steam.
Monkey Biz is a cooperative action game where you collect bananas to push an overloaded cart up to the top of a mountain. It supports solo play as well as cooperative play for up to four players.
Calling it the “world’s first banana extraction game,” the development team emphasizes a structure that naturally induces laughter through its physics engine, unpredictable situations, and player interactions. It is a method where the situations themselves generate comedy without a separate script.
Colorful tropical mountains + cartoon-style physics visuals implemented with Unreal Engine 5
The game features a lively and exaggerated visual style based on cartoon-style 3D visuals and a tropical mountain background.
In the environment rendered by Unreal Engine 5, various obstacles such as shaky bridges, collapsing platforms, slippery sections, and rolling rocks constantly create variables. Players must maintain balance while pushing and pulling the cart, and must remain alert at all times, as even a small mistake can instantly lead to a major accident.
The game’s sound is an element that further intensifies this chaos. The screams of monkey characters, the sound of carts rolling down, and the real-time reactions of players heard through proximity voice chat combine to simultaneously amplify the tension and laughter of the scene.
Characters that can be styled with various costumes and animations also create new comedic situations every time.
Each banana weighs… The core of the chaos in physics-based karts
The core system of the game is physics-based cart transport. Each banana acts as actual weight, causing the cart to become increasingly unstable.
As even a small shock can easily disrupt the balance, players must cooperate to overcome crises. At the same time, intentional sabotage or competition is possible, creating a unique gameplay experience that blends teamwork, betrayal, and unpredictable situations.
Each stage is designed as an open sandbox, featuring various paths, collectibles, and high-risk, high-reward objectives. A key feature is that the environment itself serves as both a puzzle and a narrative, constantly demanding choices and tension from the player.
Starlight Games, a Liverpool studio founded by former employees of Psygnosis and Atomicom
Gary Nichols, the CEO leading the studio, is a veteran with a background at Psygnosis and Atomicom who has proven his cross-platform development capabilities through the previous ‘House of Golf’ series.
This project originated from an internal game jam rather than through meticulous planning. The team explained that among various prototypes, ‘Monkey Bizniz’ was ultimately selected as the official development project because it elicited the biggest laughs every time it was played.
From Italian, Brazilian, and German media… A hot topic across Europe
Since the release of the demo, the game has rapidly garnered attention from gaming media across Europe, including Italy, Brazil, and Germany. Some outlets have cited the game’s “social comedy structure,” in which a series of small betrayals and mistakes create unpredictable situations, as a key strength.
In the Steam community as well, reactions continue to suggest it brings to mind games like Getting Over It, Gang Beasts, and Overcooked, creating an atmosphere of anticipation for it as a next-generation cooperative party game.
‘Monkey Biz’ is currently available as a free demo on Steam, and the official release date has not yet been announced.
Information regarding ‘Monkey Bizniz’
| item | detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Starlight Games (Liverpool, UK) |
| Publisher | Starlight Games (Self-publishing) |
| Genre | Physics-based Co-op / Party / Adventure / Casual Simulation |
| Release platform | PC (Steam) |
| Release Date | Undetermined (Demo currently available for free trial) |
| graphics | 3D Cartoon / Colorful Stylized |
| engine | Unreal Engine 5 |
| Player count | 1~4 players (Online/Local Co-op) |
| core system | Physics-based kart movement / Open sandbox exploration / Proximity voice chat / Character customization |
| Main Keywords | Cooperation, Party, Betrayal, Physics Engine, Comedy, Monkey, Banana |
| Developer’s flagship title | House of Golf 2 · House of Golf VR |
| CEO | Gary Nichols (formerly Psygnosis, Atomicom) |
| Official Channel | X (@SLGliverpool) |
| Steam Page | Shortcut |
