Mewgenics breaks Steam roguelite record with 115k peak players

A cat-breeding tactical roguelite just shattered Steam records with 115,428 peak players, beating Hades 2. Mewgenics sold 500,000 copies in 36 hours and paid back its budget in three hours after launch.

Mewgenics, a turn-based tactical cat-breeding combat game, has become the most-played roguelite ever on Steam, according to Polygon. The game hit an all-time peak of 115,428 concurrent players on Sunday, 15 February, surpassing Hades 2's previous record of 112,947 players set in September 2025.

Record-breaking launch success

Created by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, Mewgenics launched on 10 February and quickly dominated Steam's charts. The game gained more than 80,000 concurrent players within 24 hours of release, demonstrating unprecedented momentum for an indie roguelite.

This achievement is particularly notable given McMillen's previous success. His earlier game The Binding of Isaac held a peak of 70,701 concurrent players from April 2021, which Mewgenics has now comfortably exceeded.

"Mewgenics had made back its budget within three hours," Tyler Glaiel announced on 11 February. A day later, he revealed they had "sold half a million copies in 36 hours", highlighting the game's commercial appeal alongside its player engagement.

How it compares to other roguelites

Mewgenics' player count significantly outperforms other acclaimed titles in the genre. Most roguelite games typically peak between 40,000 to 80,000 concurrent players, making Mewgenics' record exceptionally high.

The game has also surpassed notable cat-themed titles, nearly doubling Stray's peak of 62,963 players. Other major roguelite competitors include Vampire Survivors (77,061 peak), Balatro (43,905 peak), and the original Hades (54,240 peak).

Steam's platform continues to see record-breaking performance across various game categories, with Mewgenics adding to this trend in the roguelite space.

What makes Mewgenics unique

Unlike traditional roguelites, Mewgenics combines turn-based tactical combat with cat breeding mechanics. The game's unusual premise of managing an army of cats has clearly resonated with Steam players, proving that innovative gameplay concepts can break through in the competitive indie game market.

The developers have hinted at extensive content depth, suggesting it "may take months or years to find every secret in the game". This positions Mewgenics as a potential Game of the Year contender for 2026, following the success of other standout titles from 2025's gaming lineup.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mewgenics?

Mewgenics is a turn-based tactical cat-breeding combat game created by Edmund McMillen and Tyler Glaiel, combining roguelite elements with strategic gameplay mechanics.

What record did Mewgenics break on Steam?

Mewgenics became the most-played roguelite game ever on Steam with a peak of 115,428 concurrent players, surpassing Hades 2's previous record.

How successful was Mewgenics financially?

Mewgenics made back its development budget within three hours of release and sold half a million copies in just 36 hours.

When did Mewgenics launch?

Mewgenics launched on 10 February 2026 exclusively on PC through Steam, with no console versions currently announced.

How does Mewgenics compare to other roguelites?

With 115,428 peak players, Mewgenics significantly outperforms most roguelites, which typically peak between 40,000-80,000 concurrent players on Steam.