Cat Parents indie game attracts over 100,000 Steam wishlists in early viral response

The indie title Cat Parents has gained significant attention online following a rapid surge in interest after its Steam page went live, with the developers reporting over 100,000 wishlists within just three days.

Developed by Gaze In Games, Cat Parents is described by the studio as a “cat rescue simulator.” The gameplay centres on players riding a bike through a stylised city environment to rescue stranded cats.

These animals may be found in various situations, such as trapped in trees or underground, and players are tasked with saving, caring for and deciding their long-term placement.

The experience also includes managing a growing cat sanctuary, where players can upgrade facilities and create a suitable environment for the rescued animals.

As it is not possible to care for every cat encountered, the game incorporates a decision-making element where players must determine which cats to keep and which to rehome.

The concept supports both solo and online multiplayer gameplay, allowing players to collaborate with others to achieve shared objectives.

According to the developers, the combination of its theme and visual presentation has contributed to widespread interest, with trailer views reaching hundreds of thousands.

Following the Steam page launch, the studio acknowledged the level of engagement, stating: “100,000 wishlists in 3 days. That’s… a LOT.”

They also added: “Thank you so so much for all the love, support, kind comments, and excitement around Cat Parents. every wishlist, every message means the world to us.”

Solvita Zacha, CEO of Gaze In Games, shared additional comments on LinkedIn, describing the project as one the team had been “dreaming up and pouring passion into.” Zacha added that the level of response was unexpected, noting that the studio had not anticipated such widespread attention.

At present, Cat Parents remains in early development, with no confirmed release date or early access window. While the wishlist figures indicate strong initial interest, further details regarding launch timing and additional features have yet to be announced.