Mewgenics, a darkly humorous cat breeding roguelike developed by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, has become an unexpected commercial success, selling over 250,000 copies in less than a day, according to PC Gamer. The game, released February 10th for PC, has sparked conversation not only for its gameplay but similarly for its inclusion of over 100 inheritable disorders, including autism.
The decision to include autism and a wide range of other conditions, in the game’s genetic system was initially met with a surprisingly positive response from fans, McMillen told The Verge. Players on platforms like Reddit and TikTok expressed appreciation for what they saw as a thoughtful representation of neurodiversity. “Everybody was like, ‘This is the perfect representation for autism. I feel seen,’ etc., etc.,” McMillen said. This positive reception encouraged the developers to continue exploring the complexities of genetics and inherited traits within the game.
Mewgenics allows players to breed cats with a variety of traits and disorders, each impacting their stats and abilities. Autism, for example, grants cats accelerated intelligence but lowers their charisma. According to McMillen, the intention isn’t to stigmatize these conditions, but to encourage players to appreciate the unique strengths and challenges associated with each trait. “I want people to play and read between the lines,” McMillen stated. “I want you to have a cat with autism, and instead of throwing it away, realizing its strengths and embracing the challenge and potential that that cat would have.”
The game’s development has been a lengthy process, beginning in 2013 as a project within Team Meat, the studio co-founded by McMillen and Tommy Refenes, known for their hit game Super Meat Boy. After being place on hiatus, McMillen revived the project following his departure from Team Meat in 2016. He then partnered with Tyler Glaiel, who spent six years researching breeding mechanics and the intricacies of feline genetics. Glaiel’s research extended to the complexities of feline relationships, allowing cats in the game to exhibit a range of sexualities and behaviors, sometimes independent of player control. “They can be highly passive,” McMillen explained. “They can have rivals. They can fall in love. They can be rejected.”
McMillen’s personal experience also informed the game’s approach to genetic disorders. He has two children and a wife who are on the autism spectrum, a reality that has been a significant part of his life for the past decade. This personal connection led him to incorporate a wide array of conditions, each with its own potential benefits, into the game’s system. “I’m very well versed in this,” McMillen said. “I want people to play and read between the lines.”
The release of Mewgenics comes at a time when misinformation about autism and pro-eugenics attitudes are prevalent, a coincidence McMillen acknowledges but doesn’t claim to be commenting on directly. “I hate politics,” he said. “It’s a game about cats fucking, you realize what I imply?” However, the game’s themes of genetics, inheritance, and acceptance resonate with contemporary discussions about neurodiversity and societal attitudes towards difference.
McMillen has indicated that the game is expected to surpass 500,000 units sold, a figure that far exceeds his expectations. He also noted that the game’s complex mechanics and extensive content will likely require most players to invest over 200 hours to fully experience everything it has to offer. The success of Mewgenics has prompted McMillen to re-evaluate his previous work, particularly The Binding of Isaac, and its exploration of nature versus nurture.
