The roguelite Mewgenics—a chaotic, cat-themed breeding sim from Binding of Isaac* developer Edmund McMillen—has a secret: its meows aren’t from actual cats. They’re from humans. And not just any humans: a deliberately curated mix of internet personalities, some of whom have become lightning rods in recent online culture wars.
Among them are Ethan Klein and Hila Klein of h3h3Productions, whose vocal support for Israel has made them polarizing figures. Their inclusion, alongside other creators with opposing viewpoints, has sparked backlash from players who argue the game shouldn’t platform voices they disagree with. Yet McMillen, who co-created the game with Tyler Glaiel, stands by the decision—not as a statement, but as an artistic choice.
�The goal was to reflect the internet’s cacophony,’ McMillen notes. ‘When we assembled the cameo list, we didn’t set out to make a political statement. We wanted iconic voices that had shaped online culture over the years. Some of those voices clash, and that’s fine.’
Take Matan Even, the The Game Awards stage invader whose unscripted moment went viral. McMillen admits he didn’t realize Even’s appearance might draw criticism. ‘These are people doing bits, characters in their own right,’ he says. ‘I treated them as such.’
To counterbalance the Kleins, McMillen included iDubbz and Anisa—creators known for their support of Palestine. He even reached out to both Ethan Klein and iDubbz to confirm they were comfortable sharing the game, given their public feud. Both gave their approval without hesitation, a detail McMillen found telling. ‘They handled it like adults,’ he says. ‘No hard feelings, no gotchas.’
The developer acknowledges the irony of a game centered on breeding and disposing of cats becoming a battleground for real-world debates. ‘If a player is upset by a meow, they can always toss that cat into the void,’ he quips. ‘Or, you know, get creative with their rage.’
For McMillen, the controversy underscores a broader truth: no creative project can please everyone. ‘I don’t share the views of any of these creators,’ he clarifies. ‘But if I only included people who matched my exact opinions, the game would’ve been a one-person meow fest.’
The full list of cameos reads like a who’s who of internet fame—some beloved, some divisive. And while Mewgenics* may not be for everyone, its creator isn’t apologizing for the voices it chose to include.
