The latest farming simulator to hit the scene,Fields of Mistria, has taken the cozy corner of the gaming world by storm since its release into Early Access on August 5. I could rave for days about it, but one tiny yet important detail excites me the most.
If you’ve taken the time to look atField of Mistria’s credits or followed NPC Studios on the developmental journey to release, you will no doubt know the names of the game’s co-directors,Claire Beltonand Andrew Duff. When I first saw their names a couple of years ago, I vaguely recognized them yet couldn’t quite place where I knew them from. But, while perusing the credits forFields of Mistria, it hit me.
Back in 2010, there was a website calledEveryday Cute, one which I used to frequent. As part of this website, Claire Belton and Andrew Duff created a character for a comic strip, and I’m sure this particular kitty cat needs no introduction:
That’s right, Claire Belton and Andrew Duff, the Co-Directors ofField of Mistria, are also responsible for the globally recognized and adorably chonky cat, Pusheen. Assuming that there isn’t a strangely similar duo out there who share the same names and apparent hair colors according to their icons on theTeam pageof theFields of Mistriawebsite, they’re also behindFields of Mistria.
Now, I don’t know about you, but this definitely cleared up a couple of things in my mind. First and foremost, how incredibly goodFields of Mistriais, especially given its Early Access status. Second, I knew that myCapybarawas a familiar shape. There’s even a Yuzu hat that you can equip on yours!
Pusheen has been a recognizable character to me for almost half of my life, and even my four-year-old is a fan, with plushies of Pusheen littering her bedroom floor as we speak. It’s a testament toFields of Mistriathat it has been so successful already, without leaning on the co-directors’ previous experience and creations, butFields of Mistriais excellent in its own right.
However, this does bring forth one question – why aren’t there any cats inFields of Mistria? Well, according to theEarly Access roadmap, pets will be coming at some point, although they’re unlikely to appear as part of the first major patch planned to be implemented before the end of the year.
Whenever they arrive, I know exactly what I’m going to be calling my farm cat!
