If you've spent any time in the indie gaming scene lately, you've probably heard a very specific, maniacal laugh echoing through your feed. That's Barnaby. He’s the neon-rimmed, party-obsessed ghost owl from Billie Bust Up who has basically taken over the internet's heart—and its nightmares. Honestly, it’s rare to see a character from a pre-alpha demo get this much traction, but when your introductory song is literally about a million ways to die, people tend to pay attention.
He isn't just a generic spooky villain.
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Barnaby is a 10-foot-tall specter with a personality that’s a chaotic mix of a high-society host and a literal murderer. He’s charismatic. He’s enthusiastic. And he really, really wants you to die so you can finally attend his party. Because, in his mind, being dead is just way more fun than being alive.
Who is Barnaby in Billie Bust Up?
Most people meet Barnaby for the first time in his mansion. He’s a "Long-Eared Owl" ghost, though he looks more like a shadowy, purple-outlined titan than any bird you’d see in the woods. Before he was a permanent resident of the afterlife, Barnaby was actually a professor and a magic researcher.
You can still see hints of that old life. He wears a suit jacket and a bow tie. He has those round, scholarly glasses. But the "Professor" side of him is long gone, replaced by a "Party Animal" persona that is much more literal than the slang term implies. He loves hosting "swinging wakes" for his ghostly guests.
There’s a weirdly wholesome—if totally twisted—logic to his villainy. He doesn't necessarily hate Billie (the main protagonist goat). In fact, he seems to think he’s doing her a massive favor. To join his "forever party," you have to be dead. Since Billie is unfortunately breathing, Barnaby is more than happy to help her "shed her mortal coil." For free! What a guy.
The design that launched a thousand fan arts
Visually, Barnaby is a masterclass in "creepy-cute" contrast. He’s mostly black and deep purple, but his eyes and mouth are this piercing, glowing yellow-orange.
- Height: Around 10 to 11 feet tall.
- Features: Huge ears that look like horns and a vocal stim of saying "Hoohoo."
- Vibe: Like a Disney villain who got lost in a neon rave.
Why "A Million Gruesome Ways to Die" is such a hit
You can't talk about Billie Bust Up Barnaby without talking about the music. The game is a musical 3D platformer, meaning the boss fights are literally choreographed to the songs. Barnaby's track, "A Million Gruesome Ways to Die," was composed by Daniel Ingram (who you might know from My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic).
The lyrics aren't just fluff. They actually telegraph the gameplay.
When Barnaby sings about being "trampled by an elephant" or "turned to goat meat stew," the hazards on the screen change to match. It’s a rhythmic chase sequence. Unlike the fight with Fantoccio (the puppet boss), where you're in a fixed arena, the Barnaby encounter is a frantic run through his mansion. You’re dodging rusty knives, избегая traps, and trying not to get squashed while the music tells you exactly how you're about to fail.
The voice acting also carries a lot of the weight here. Originally voiced by Gabriel Brown (BlackGryph0n), the character has a theatrical, "radio demon" quality that makes the dark lyrics feel weirdly upbeat. It’s catchy. You’ll find yourself humming a song about your own demise three hours after closing the game.
The controversy and the community
Now, if you've been digging into the Billie Bust Up fandom recently, you've probably hit some drama. It’s unavoidable. The studio, Giddy Goat Games (formerly Blueprint Games), has faced a lot of heat regarding allegations against the original voice actor for Barnaby.
Because of this, the community is in a bit of a weird spot. Many fans absolutely adore the character design and the music but are wary of the people behind it. There have been massive 200-page documents floating around Discord and Reddit detailing issues with the development team and their handling of the situation.
Is the game still coming out? Yes. Is Barnaby still the face of the marketing? Mostly. But the "vibe" in the comments section has definitely shifted from pure hype to a mix of skepticism and "I just like the owl."
How to play the Barnaby level right now
You don't have to wait for the full release to get chased by a giant ghost owl. The developers released a pre-alpha demo a while back that includes the Barnaby chase.
- Grab the Demo: It’s available on Itch.io or through their Patreon.
- Learn the Cues: Watch the lyrics at the bottom of the screen. They aren't just subtitles; they are your survival guide.
- Master the Camera: The Barnaby chase is notorious for its tricky camera angles. You’ll often find yourself running toward the screen, which is always a bit disorienting.
Honestly, the best way to handle Barnaby is to treat the level like a rhythm game rather than a standard platformer. If you can stay on beat, the obstacles become much more predictable.
What's next for Barnaby?
The full game is still in the works, and the devs have teased more depth for Barnaby's backstory. We know he has a connection to the "Gem of Shadows" and that his mansion holds more secrets than just a dance floor. Whether he stays a "silly" villain or turns into something much darker remains to be seen.
For now, he remains the king of indie game villain songs. Just... maybe don't accept his invitation to the party.
If you're looking to dive deeper into the world of Giddy Goat Games, checking out their official socials for the latest "development logs" is your best bet to see how Barnaby’s animations are being polished for the final version. Keep an eye on the Steam page for any sudden release date drops, though don't hold your breath—indie magic takes time.