Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel’s new game, Mewgenics, launched recently and received a warm welcome, gaining a lot of attention in just the first few hours. However, one thing has triggered mixed feelings among players—the list of internet personalities voicing the cat meows. I reached out to McMillen to understand why certain choices were made.
Some users, particularly on social media, have expressed dissatisfaction with the inclusion of YouTubers Ethan and Hila Klein from h3h3Productions due to their controversial views on the Israel-Palestine conflict. Mewgenics also features Matan Even, known for crashing the 2022 Game Awards, and Christine Chandler, a trans YouTuber who has faced extensive online bullying and legal issues. This has left many curious about the reasoning behind those cameos.
McMillen explained that the voice actors represent a wide spectrum of internet culture. “When I picked them, it was years ago. I wanted to feature voices that have been prominent in my gaming journey,” he said. The choice to include varied figures was intentional, aiming for a mix of styles and ideologies. He mentioned that the presence of the Kleins is balanced by others like iDubbbz, who have voiced support for Palestinians during current conflicts.
In a world where social media often amplifies divisions, McMillen acknowledges the potential backlash: “A cat meowing as someone you disagree with can be frustrating, but I thought exploring these contrasts was interesting.” He does not share all the views of those he included, stating that if he only featured like-minded individuals, he’d end up being the sole meow in the game.
Interestingly, McMillen mentioned that once the game has full mod support, players could soon swap out meows they dislike for ones they prefer, letting creativity take over. That gives users some freedom to shape their own gaming experience.
Mewgenics has quickly become a unique mix of quirky gameplay and the voice of various internet figures. As noted in our review, McMillen and Glaiel continue to blend engaging loops with a touch of dark humor. It leaves players with memorable stories—and perhaps some unexpected reactions along the way.
