I Am Cat

Released in full on December 5, 2024, *I Am Cat* is a virtual reality sandbox adventure developed and published by New Folder Games Ltd. The title represents a growing subgenre of VR simulation games that prioritize physics-based interaction and role-playing over linear storytelling. By placing players directly into the paws of a mischievous feline, the game capitalizes on the immersive potential of VR to offer a unique perspective on a domestic world—one where ordinary household objects become toys, obstacles, or targets for destruction. While the premise is lighthearted, the game’s development history, mechanics, and reception reveal a focused strategy by its Cyprus-based developers to capture a viral, younger demographic through distinct locomotion systems and open-ended gameplay. The central appeal of *I Am Cat* lies in its core gameplay loop, which attempts to simulate the physical and behavioral experience of being a cat. Unlike traditional navigation in gaming, the title utilizes an arm-based locomotion system similar to the popular VR game *Gorilla Tag*. Players move by mimicking the motion of walking on all fours, using their hands (or "paws") to propel themselves forward, climb furniture, and leap across gaps. This physical control scheme is designed to ground the player in the animal’s body, requiring actual physical exertion to scale a bookshelf or chase a laser pointer. The interactions are heavily physics-based; players can knock vases off shelves, scratch up curtains, steal food from the dinner table, and swat at dangling objects. The game rewards this chaotic behavior through a quest system delivered via a smart-watch interface or through interactions with other animal characters, such as a "cat gang" leader who initiates the player into the neighborhood hierarchy. The game world begins in a domestic setting known as "Granny’s House," which serves as the tutorial and primary playground. This environment is dense with interactive elements, from a television that can be toggled to a "dance channel" to hidden nooks that require agility to access. Following its full release, the scope of the game expanded significantly beyond these initial four walls. The 1.0 update introduced a variety of new biomes, including a cluttered garage, a bustling butcher shop, a large garden, and city streets. These environments introduced new NPCs—both human and animal—such as a stern Butcher, a mischievous Dog, and a wise Grandpa. Each location offers distinct environmental puzzles and "cat-specific" missions, such as stealthily stealing fish or navigating high rafters to avoid angry humans. Behind the scenes, the development of *I Am Cat* by New Folder Games Ltd highlights a modern approach to game production. Established in 2019, the studio is composed of a relatively small team of around 15 people, with leadership rooted in the mobile gaming sector (specifically companies like Estoty). This mobile DNA is evident in their "fast prototyping" philosophy. The studio reportedly utilized small teams of two programmers and two artists to iterate on concepts in rapid 3-4 week cycles, prioritizing "fun" and core mechanics over visual polish. *I Am Cat* emerged from this process as a standout prototype that tested well internally. The developers then leveraged social media platforms like TikTok and YouTube to market the game, where clips of players causing feline chaos went viral, driving significant interest even during its Early Access phase in mid-2024. Despite its commercial success and viral popularity, the game has faced a mix of critical reception. On the positive side, players have praised the freedom and novelty of the experience, noting that the "cat perspective" is genuinely immersive and offers a satisfying outlet for harmless destruction. The visuals, while cartoonish and stylized, are generally considered charming and appropriate for the game's comedic tone. However, the title has not been immune to criticism. Some reviews have pointed to technical issues, describing the movement mechanics as occasionally "janky" or unresponsive, particularly when climbing complex geometry. Furthermore, the game has faced scrutiny regarding its artistic assets, with some user reviews and community threads alleging the use of AI-generated art in promotional materials and in-game textures, a point of contention in the modern creative industry. Additionally, the mobile version of the game has drawn complaints regarding a heavy reliance on advertisements, contrasting with the paid premium experience on VR platforms like Meta Quest and Steam. Ultimately, *I Am Cat* stands as a significant case study in the current VR landscape. It demonstrates how a simple, high-concept premise—"be a cat"—can be translated into a successful product through viral marketing and accessible, physical gameplay mechanics. By allowing players to abandon human social norms and indulge in the chaotic whims of a house cat, New Folder Games created a title that resonates with pet lovers and VR enthusiasts alike. As the developers continue to support the game with planned updates involving new locations like a lighthouse and a submarine, *I Am Cat* remains a prominent example of how indie studios are shaping the identity of interactive VR entertainment.