Due later this week is "You vs. Cat," the latest iPad game from cat food maker Friskies to be designed specifically for cats. Yes, video games for cats are a thing. But unlike their previous offerings, such as "Cat Fishing" and "JitterBug," Friskies' latest is the first to provide head-to-head competition for cats and their owners.
"You vs. Cat" was announced at SXSW Interactive and has the human player flinging morsels of cat food from one end of the screen to the other, where the furry opponent will (theoretically) attempt to intercept the virtual treat. ABC News put it best: "It’s sort of a 21st century air hockey table for you and your favorite feline friend."
Friskies even had the "world champion" of the game, Buddy the Cat, provide a demonstration, which Laptop magazine captured on film:
The game will be available for free via the iTunes App Store. Hopefully, it'll be out in time for the new iPad's release, and one can only imagine how vibrant those digital cat treats will look on the new Retina Display. Though, sadly, most cats may not notice the increase in resolution.
Matthew Hawkins is an NYC-based game journalist who has also written for EGM, GameSetWatch, Gamasutra, Giant Robot and numerous others. He also self-publishes his own game culture zine, is part of Attract Mode, and co-hosts The Fangamer Podcast. You can keep tabs on him via Twitter, or his personal home-base, FORT90.com.
