Mad Herons, a new independent studio founded by Los Angeles improv comedy veterans Jacques Mouledoux, Karen Park, and Nick Park, has announced its debut game, Send In The Clown, a comedy adventure that puts players in the role of Pockets, an underappreciated clown who must turn a chaotic birthday party into a celebration worthy of the occasion. The project combines the humor of a sitcom with an environment filled with absurd situations, eccentric characters, and challenges that transform an ordinary party into a full-scale adventure.

The project began taking shape in 2024 during Global Game Jam, based on an idea developed by Jacques Mouledoux, Nick Park, and Conner McCabe. Originally conceived as an independent project, the game has been in development for around two years and eventually brought together professionals from different fields, including Tyler Hutchison, director of Dream Daddy: A Dad Dating Simulator, who contributed to Pockets' facial animations, as well as Courtney Vineys, known for her work on Hades and Hades II, who joined the voice cast.

The adventure puts Pockets on an unusual mission: reclaim Miranda's birthday party after her brother Tad decides to turn the event into complete chaos. To accomplish the task, the protagonist must master different classic clown skills, from performing tricks with water-spraying flowers to herding a pile of questionable hot dogs, while earning experience points and improving his abilities.

Progression also depends on interacting with the guests, each of whom has their own problems and needs. Players can make friends, take part in minigames, solve puzzles, and make different dialogue choices that can influence the outcome of the party. Challenges include teaching a single father how to dance in a minigame inspired by Guitar Hero, helping an exhausted mother through quick time events, and competing against a child for a high score in a shooting game inspired by Space Invaders.

The variety of situations takes Pockets through a party populated by eccentric suburban residents, while the source of the problems gradually becomes clearer. Tad, the birthday girl's brother, emerges as the main cause of the disaster and prepares the final confrontation, structured as an RPG battle. Guests who become allies throughout the adventure can join the fight and use abilities connected to the experiences they shared during the party.

The choice system also directly influences the possibilities available during the final confrontation. A single father who has learned to dance well can lead a dance-based attack, while a relationship developed with a particular guest can unlock an action capable of distracting Tad during the battle. As a result, interactions throughout the adventure serve not only as comedic moments but also contribute to the strategy players adopt.

With a concept centered on humor, minigames, choices, and deliberately absurd situations, Mad Herons aims to turn a simple birthday party into an adventure that encourages different forms of interaction. Send In The Clown is expected to launch later this year on Steam.