The current trend surging in popularity within the video game industry is known as “friendslop,” despite its seemingly derogatory name. Titles such as Peak, RV There Yet?, and Meccha Chameleon have achieved massive sales figures in the past year due to their easy-to-understand gameplay, affordable pricing, and the chaotic nature of multiplayer interactions.
According to Patrick Thornley, a gamer from Langley, B.C., who frequently engages in friendslop games with his friends nationwide, the essence of these games lies in cooperative play to accomplish often mundane tasks, with added challenges stemming from the players’ playful and sometimes absurd approaches. The primary focus is on having a fun, lighthearted experience rather than taking the game seriously.
The latest addition to this genre, Big Walk, introduces a fresh take on friendslop by combining emergent chaos with a carefully designed world reminiscent of renowned classics like Myst and The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. This game stands out as a strong contender for game of the year, emphasizing the dynamics of friendship and shared exploration within a video game setting.
The term “friendslop” was coined in 2025 by an individual with the username @wooosaaaahhhhh, who associated it primarily with Lethal Company, a cooperative multiplayer horror game released in 2023. The concept of “friendfarming,” often used in online discussions and forums like Reddit, refers to either expanding one’s circle of friends or spending quality time with existing ones.
Typically, friendslop games are characterized by their modest budgets, simplistic visuals in contrast to high-end graphics seen in games like Call of Duty, and straightforward gameplay objectives. For instance, tasks in games like Peak involve scaling a mountain, while RV There Yet? revolves around driving an RV through rural landscapes.
Many friendslop games incorporate proximity chat features, where players’ voices diminish in volume as they move farther apart, encouraging close collaboration or the use of communication devices for long-distance interactions. Unlike traditional games, where comedic actions may lead to penalties, in friendslop games, such antics are often the core of the gameplay experience, fostering a carefree and enjoyable atmosphere.
Although success is not guaranteed, friendslop games have seen remarkable popularity in recent times. For instance, Peak by Aggro Crab has sold over 10 million copies since its launch in June 2025, while Meccha Chameleon, developed by a two-person team, achieved 10 million sales within just 16 days of release.
The newly released Big Walk by Melbourne-based studio House House, renowned for the acclaimed Untitled Goose Game, presents players with a cooperative adventure set in the Australian outback. Participants, embodying cartoonish characters, must work together to solve puzzles scattered across the expansive outdoor environment.
Unlike many friendslop games with procedurally generated content, Big Walk features a meticulously designed landscape where each puzzle has a unique solution, ranging from simple to intricate. Players must collaborate creatively, using gestures, signals, and environmental objects to progress in the game, fostering teamwork and communication skills.
Despite not being procedurally generated, Big Walk may lose some novelty after around 20 hours of gameplay. Nevertheless, its emphasis on cooperative problem-solving, organic gameplay experiences, and the celebration of friendship makes it a standout title in the video game landscape this year.
