DONUT PANIC launches on PC via Steam in 2026, bringing a fresh blend of baking sim and psychological horror to the indie scene. Developer Kyle Banks confirmed the release window for his second title, which drops players into a creepy Scottish diner where pastry chef duties collide with supernatural threats. You will fry donuts by night. You will spot strange hallucinations. And you will run.
**What You Need to Know**
– **Developer:** Kyle Banks (solo indie creator based in Edinburgh)
– **Release Window:** 2026 for PC via Steam
– **Genre:** Anomaly horror game with cooking simulation elements
– **Setting:** A failing Scottish diner during the graveyard shift
– **Core Mechanic:** Balance customer service with survival horror as reality breaks down
What is DONUT PANIC?
DONUT PANIC is an anomaly horror game that traps you in a dying Scottish restaurant. You play as the lone night-shift baker tasked with keeping the business alive. Your job seems simple enough. Take orders from late-night customers. Drop dough into the fryer. Add glaze and sprinkles. Serve coffee with a smile.
But the kitchen holds dark secrets. Strange things occur as the hours pass. Objects move when you look away. Customers act odd. The walls breathe. When these hallucinations strike, you must drop everything and sprint to your panic room. This safe space serves as your only protection against the encroaching madness.
The game forces you to split your focus between perfecting your pastries and staying alive. Mess up an order, and you anger hungry patrons. Ignore the warning signs, and you risk getting caught by whatever haunts the grill. Each shift pushes you deeper into the mystery surrounding the diner’s collapse.
Baking Under Pressure
The cooking sim aspects demand real skill. From what we have seen in early footage, you control every step of the donut-making process. Mix batter, manage oil temperatures, and decorate with precision. Happy customers leave better tips, which you can spend on upgrades.
But you cannot get too comfortable. The anomaly detection system keeps you on edge. You must scan the room constantly. Is that chair facing the same direction? Did that customer always have three eyes? When you spot something wrong, the game shifts instantly from relaxed baking to frantic horror.
“Get to the panic room now,” the game seems to whisper as the lights flicker. You abandon your half-finished fritters and run.
Meet the Mind Behind the Madness
Kyle Banks brings serious talent to this project. Originally from Toronto, he now works from Edinburgh as a solo developer. He has been crafting games and coding tutorials since 2013, but his 2024 release Farewell North put him on the map. That title earned Best Narrative at the Debug Indie Game Awards and Best Video Game Soundtrack at the Ivor Novellos. The BAFTA organization also named him a BAFTA Breakthrough talent for 2025.
With DONUT PANIC, Banks trades the emotional storytelling of Farewell North for pure tension and dread. The contrast shows his range. One game explores healing and loss through color and music. The next traps you in a greasy spoon with monsters.
How It Compares to Other Horror Sims
Other games have mixed food service with fear before. Happy’s Humble Burger Farm offers similar “cook while scared” vibes, but DONUT PANIC focuses more heavily on the anomaly detection made popular by titles like I’m on Observation Duty. Instead of just serving food quickly, you must actively spot what changes in your environment.
The Scottish setting also sets it apart. The rain-streaked windows and local accents create a mood you cannot find in American fast-food horror. The panic room mechanic adds another layer. Unlike other games where you simply endure the night, here you build and customize your safe space, unlocking new recipes and decorations as you progress.
Your choices also shape the ending. Explore the diner thoroughly between shifts, and you will uncover clues about why the hauntings occur. Ignore the mystery, and you remain stuck in an endless loop of terror.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does DONUT PANIC come out?
DONUT PANIC releases on Steam for PC in 2026. Developer Kyle Banks has not announced a specific date or price yet, but the game will launch next year based on current development timelines.
What type of game is DONUT PANIC?
It is an anomaly horror game mixed with cooking simulation mechanics. You play as a night-shift baker who must prepare donuts while watching for supernatural changes in the environment, then escape to a panic room when things go wrong.
Who is making DONUT PANIC?
Kyle Banks, a solo indie developer from Edinburgh, Scotland, creates DONUT PANIC. He previously released Farewell North in 2024, which won multiple awards including a BAFTA Breakthrough honor.
Is DONUT PANIC similar to other cooking horror games?
While it shares DNA with titles like Happy’s Humble Burger Farm, DONUT PANIC focuses more on detective work and anomaly spotting. The panic room survival mechanic and Scottish diner setting create a distinct experience.
Will DONUT PANIC be on consoles?
Currently, the game is only confirmed for PC via Steam. The developer has not announced PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch versions yet, though console ports often follow successful PC launches for indie titles.
Add your wishlist entry for DONUT PANIC now and prepare to perfect your pastry skills while fighting for your life. This anomaly horror game promises to serve up scares when it hits Steam in 2026.
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