Chat is Cooked is a simulation game in early access on PC that turns Twitch chat into an interactive overlay for streamers. Viewers appear as draggable characters on screen, allowing the streamer to respond directly to community antics through physical manipulation and triggered effects.
Gameplay
The core loop centers on real-time interaction between the streamer and incoming chat participants. Chatters load into the scene as movable figures that the streamer can click and drag across the screen. This includes tossing them into the air, pinning them against background elements, or dropping them into interactive objects like a bubbling pot for visual payoff. Avatars can be assigned from a built-in collection or pulled directly from Twitch profile pictures, with options for chat commands to swap appearances mid-stream.
Effects activate through multiple inputs. Chat messages, channel point rewards, Bits donations, and subscriptions all serve as triggers for reactions such as freezing a chatter in place, setting them on fire, supersizing their model, magnetizing them to surfaces, launching them outward, spinning them rapidly, burning them, or causing explosions. Role-based perks add variety, granting subscribers, moderators, and VIPs distinct visual buffs that persist across sessions. The system supports custom reaction rules so streamers can map specific viewer actions to tailored outcomes.
Scene construction happens through a dedicated build mode. Streamers place and adjust movable props, interactive pinball-style pieces, and effect zones that respond to contact or triggers. Layouts can be saved and reloaded for consistent setups across streams. Polls and chat votes integrate into the rules, letting audience input influence which effects fire or how characters behave. The game window resizes freely to match OBS capture needs without disrupting the stream layout.
Game Modes
Chat is Cooked operates as a single flexible overlay experience rather than distinct named modes. Streamers connect their Twitch account to begin with included starter rules and layouts, then expand through customization. The setup supports both passive background chaos and active, rule-driven interactions that evolve with viewer participation. No separate competitive or story-driven modes exist beyond this core streamer tool framework.
Customization and Integration
Extensive options let users tailor the experience to their community. Props and zones can be recolored, scaled, rotated, and snapped to grids for precise placement. Keyboard shortcuts and scroll-wheel adjustments speed up editing. Effect zones create areas where contact triggers specific outcomes, while saved layouts preserve complex arrangements. The tool requires an active Twitch account and internet connection to pull live chat data and process rewards in real time.
Starter content provides immediate functionality. Pre-built reactions and scene templates allow quick testing before deeper edits. This approach suits streamers who want to experiment without building everything from scratch, while still offering full control over visuals and triggers.
Is It Worth Playing?
Chat is Cooked suits streamers seeking a hands-on way to engage their audience beyond text chat. The physics-based interactions and effect triggers create visible, shareable moments that can amplify community energy during broadcasts. Its early access status means ongoing updates refine the feature set, with the current public beta version demonstrating stable core systems like drag mechanics, role perks, and OBS compatibility.
Reception on the itch.io page stands at 4.8 out of 5 stars based on a small number of ratings. Players highlight the direct revenge fantasy and ease of setup as strengths. Those who enjoy building custom overlays and responding creatively to chat will find the most value, while viewers benefit from seeing their messages and rewards translate into on-screen antics. The game remains available for purchase and download through its primary distribution platform, with no additional requirements beyond standard PC hardware and a Twitch connection.
