“Peak Lead Acknowledges Criticism but Emphasizes Teamwork in Their Games”

Indie co-op climbing game Peak’s developer acknowledges that the term “friendslop” has its critics but believes there’s a valuable niche for these types of games.

This year has been a standout for accessible co-op games like REPO and Peak, which have unexpectedly gained popularity. However, with that popularity comes criticism, leading to the emergence of “friendslop” as a label for games perceived to lack depth beyond being fun social experiences.

Nick Kaman, head of Aggro Crab, shared his thoughts in an interview, stating, “There’s backlash because sometimes these games forego traditional quality markers like polished graphics or story, but these games aren’t trying to be Game of the Year; they focus on delivering a specific experience, which can be very cost-effective for indie production.”

He further noted, “Like with any hot genre, you see a surge of quick, low-quality attempts flooding the storefronts, but I think it’s mainly just fun to be a hater, especially when a term like ‘friendslop’ is so catchy.”

Kaman emphasized that the appeal of “friendslop” lies in the desire for connection in online spaces, explaining, “These games put that at the forefront of the experience,” and added, “They emphasize teamwork and communication rather than just testing individual skill in a group.”

Labeling games like Peak and REPO as friendslop can undermine the developers’ skills, according to an industry investor.