Indie Developers Create Surprise Hit Game About Mutant Cats

The game "Mewgenics" sold 500,000 copies in just 36 hours, generating $13.5 million in revenue.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two independent video game developers from the Santa Cruz area, Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, have created the biggest hit game of 2026 so far with their title "Mewgenics". The quirky, cartoonish strategy game about breeding mutant cats sold 500,000 copies on the video game platform Steam in just 36 hours, generating $13.5 million in revenue. The game has received rave reviews and is being considered a contender for Game of the Year awards.

Why it matters

The success of "Mewgenics" is a major win for independent game developers, who often struggle to find an audience amid the dominance of large studios. It shows there is still a strong appetite for unique, boundary-pushing games that don't shy away from unconventional themes and aesthetics. The game's popularity also highlights the vibrant video game development scene in Northern California, outside of the major industry hubs.

The details

"Mewgenics" was in development for six years, with McMillen and Glaiel handling the bulk of the work themselves, only bringing on a small team of additional artists, engineers and musicians. The game blends elements from strategy titles like "Final Fantasy Tactics" and "Dungeons & Dragons", the creature collecting of "Pokémon", and the furniture hoarding of "Animal Crossing". Players send out cats on adventures across randomized environments, with over 1,200 abilities and 900 items to discover. McMillen expects the average player to spend 250 hours to beat the game, with even deeper secrets to uncover.

  • "Mewgenics" was originally announced in 2012, but was cancelled for years before being resurrected in 2018.
  • The game was released on Steam on Tuesday, February 11, 2026.

The players

Edmund McMillen

A 25-year veteran of the video game industry, known for creating influential titles like "Super Meat Boy" and "The Binding of Isaac". He lives in Watsonville, California and was the lead artist and designer on "Mewgenics".

Tyler Glaiel

McMillen's development partner on "Mewgenics", responsible for the coding and programming of the game's expansive list of characters, mechanics and enemies.

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What they’re saying

“It's really surprising. I expected people to be like 'It's ugly. It's not funny,'”

— Edmund McMillen, Game Developer (sfchronicle.com)

“The starving artist thing is a reality”

— Edmund McMillen, Game Developer (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

McMillen and Glaiel plan to release future expansions and content updates for "Mewgenics" to continue supporting the game's dedicated fanbase.

The takeaway

The runaway success of the quirky "Mewgenics" demonstrates that there is still a strong market for innovative, independent video games that are willing to push creative boundaries. This is an encouraging sign for the future of the industry, which has faced significant upheaval in recent years.