Catlateral Damage

Lore & Background

Catlateral Damage originated as a prototype created for the August 2013 7DFPS game jam. Development for a full release began the following month. The game was submitted to Steam Greenlight on 13 January 2014, and a Kickstarter campaign ran from 16 June to 11 July 2014. The full version launched on Steam on 27 May 2015. A remastered edition, subtitled "Remeowstered," was released in September 2021 for Xbox One and Xbox Series consoles. The game received mixed to positive reviews. BuzzFeed's Joseph Bernstein called it a chance to experience being a "little feline menace." Kotaku's Luke Plunkett described it as "as accurate a cat simulator as you'll ever play." Rock, Paper, Shotgun's Nathan Grayson noted it was "basic and inconsequential as can be, and that's exactly what I wanted from it." Alpha-release reviewers also responded favorably: CNET's Michelle Starr found it "kind of really fun," Indie Statik's Chris Priestman called it "a fun little game about making a mess," Joystiq's Danny Cowan deemed it a "fairly accurate simulation" of cat ownership, and VG247's Mike Irving, while noting it was "small and rough at the moment," found it "entertaining."

Reader's Guide

Catlateral Damage occupies a niche as an early, dedicated cat simulator that leaned into the mischievous behavior of domestic cats. Its origin in a game jam and subsequent crowdfunding campaign reflect the indie game ecosystem of the early 2010s, where small concepts could find audiences through platforms like Steam Greenlight and Kickstarter. The game's mixed-to-positive reception highlights its appeal as a simple, humorous experience rather than a mechanically deep one. Reviewers consistently praised its accuracy in capturing cat-like behavior, even as they acknowledged its limited scope. The release of a "Remeowstered" version in 2021 for Xbox platforms extended its lifespan beyond the original PC release, suggesting sustained interest in the concept. The game's legacy lies in its straightforward premise—knocking objects off surfaces—which became a recognizable trope in cat-themed games. It did not spawn a major franchise but remains a reference point for animal simulation games that prioritize personality and chaos over simulationist detail.

Did You Know?

• The original version was created for the August 2013 7DFPS game jam.
• A Kickstarter campaign for the full release ran from 16 June to 11 July 2014.
• The full version was released on Steam on 27 May 2015.