Friends Per Second Mewgenics creator Edmund McMillen stops by to chat life, review scores & more | FPS #88
Feb 14, 2026
Edmund McMillen, indie designer of Binding of Isaac and Super Meat Boy, talks Mewgenics' long development, cat-breeding themes, and massive item/ability scope. Oliver Merlöv, CEO of Tarsier Studios, explains Re-Animal’s design, co-op choices, and companion AI challenges. Multiple short conversations cover launch plans, studio size, and post-release creative roadmaps.
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Visual Identity Anchors Franchise Value
- Hosts observed Horizon Hunter's Gathering signals a major IP pivot toward live services with different tone and art style.
- They argued style shifts risk alienating core fans, revealing how visual identity anchors franchise appeal.
Use User Reviews As Contextual Signals
- When judging user reviews, read patterns and context rather than raw scores; they act as an evolving temperature check for live services.
- Use reviews alongside critic takes and genre-specific player voices to form a fuller view.
Family Strain During Crunch
- McMillen said work-life balance remained difficult; development ramped up and his family life felt strained.
- He joked he's still married and hopes post-launch he can be less present in the office and more present as a father.
