"Referencing the popular multiplayer game Lethal Company, they said that it belongs to a genre which they derisively christened "friendslop." It was a post made in jest, but as 2025 draws to an end, "friendslop" seems to have solidified as one of the genres of our moment. Far from a joke, the rise of these small-scale multiplayer games shows that if there's one thing that players are really craving, it's not competition but communication."
"The term itself has drawn a degree of dispute and conversation this year but at the most broad level it represents a genre of low-stakes multiplayer games focused on achieving a common goal, coordinating usually through voice chat in game or through a program like Discord. These games are often unserious and definitely not competitive. Part of the joy, as much as getting to play with your friends, is seeing them bungle a run or simply goof off."
Friendslop describes a genre of low-stakes multiplayer games that prioritize cooperative play, social interaction, and shared amusement over competition. Players coordinate to achieve simple common goals, typically using in-game voice chat or third-party apps like Discord. The aesthetic and tone are often unserious, valuing bungled runs, roleplay, and goofing off as part of the appeal. Several 2025 hits exemplify the trend, including Peak, R.E.P.O., Chained Together, Dale & Dawson Stationery Supplies, Webfishing, and the massive Roblox ecosystem. R.E.P.O. achieved rapid commercial success, selling millions of copies and topping storefront charts. The trend signals player appetite for communication-centered play.
Read at Inverse
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]