A 2-Person Team Spent 1 Year Making an 'Abstract' Game That Earned 27 Million Yuan in 2 Days

Summary

Developed by a two-person team over the course of one year, the multiplayer party game How to Fish has become a phenomenal hit, raking in 27 million yuan within just two days of its release. Despite featuring fishing as its core mechanic, the game's art style, physics engine, and exaggerated interactions are filled with absurdity, deviating from mainstream 'realistic' or 'polished' aesthetics, leading some players to label it 'abstract.' However, this unconventional design attracted a large number of players and streamers, sparking viral spread on social platforms. After the revenue figures were revealed, industry observers widely believe that the game's success proves that 'small teams with unique creativity' can still break through in a market dominated by giants. It also reminds developers that player aesthetics are diversifying, and party games that deliver joy and unexpected delight have immense potential. For players, the game's rise suggests that more developers will be willing to explore non-mainstream themes, bringing fresh and interesting experiences. For the industry, it may encourage more indie studios to enter the market with low costs and high creativity, driving innovative development across the ecosystem. However, some voices argue that it remains questionable whether How to Fish's explosion can be replicated, and its long-term operations and content updates…