The upcoming spin-off of Poppy Playtime, Project: Playtime, is further separating itself from the Five Nights At Freddy's franchise by including co-op. In December 2022, players will be able to return to the Playtime Co. factory to uncover more of its mysteries, but this time they'll have the help of friends. Considering the number of toy threats lurking in Poppy Playtime, players shouldn't find themselves short on scares in Project: Playtime.
The setting of the Playtime Co. factory makes it a fitting location for co-op given its size, mini-games, and puzzles, as players witness in Poppy Playtime. Additionally, the decision to make Poppy Playtime's spin-off, Project: Playtime, co-op could make the game scarier for players. Other horror games like Phasmophobia and Dead by Daylight make use of stronger enemies and randomization to stay scary, and MOB Games could borrow similar techniques, or find its own way to keep players on their toes as they explore the Playtime Co. factory.
Co-op Could Make Project: Playtime Better Than Poppy Playtime
It can be difficult to find a co-op horror game that feels scary since players might feel more comfortable when they aren't alone. However, Poppy Playtime's chase sequences and generally eerie atmosphere combined with its dark story could keep players feeling fear. Project: Playtime also has the potential to add in Portal 2 co-op style puzzles with multiple GrabPacks being in the possession of the players, which could lead to a focus on teamwork.
Overall, Poppy Playtime is not as scary as it's sometimes portrayed, and this could work in the favor of Project: Playtime because fear might not be the only reason players want to enter Playtime Co.'s factory. Since the time between jump scares and chase sequences tends to be filled with story information to help players unravel the secrets of Playtime Co., it could be a better co-op horror game if MOB Games continues with that pattern instead of putting in more scares due to having more players. The air of mystery in the game and the horror of the information revealed through the story can be as much of a draw for the game as the adrenaline rush of being chased by toys.
Poppy Playtime isn't without controversy, and received backlash for issues such as plagiarism and fearmongering, but the game has held onto its popularity and will take players on another journey into the sinister Playtime Co. factory in its spin-off. Players can enjoy Project: Playtime with friends and possibly see the factory in a less dilapidated state since the letter in the teaser is dated 1991, when the factory was still operational. Project: Playtime might reveal that Poppy Playtime's biggest mistake was not letting players face once-human toys as a team.