What if you could play soccer or throw bombs, but instead of controlling humans or animals, you were a wiggly worm that could grab both ends of your own body and use yourself as a living slingshot? That’s the absurd premise behind Mewts, a multiplayer party game from indie studio Shelter that launches its first public playtest this Friday, December 12, 2025. Up to four players control clay-textured worms with unique physics-based controls in fast-paced game modes that ask the age-old question: would you love me if I were a worm?
The standout feature isn’t just the ridiculous worm gameplay but the tactile clay aesthetic achieved through actual stop-motion techniques. Every element in Mewts was initially crafted from physical clay or animated using traditional stop-motion methods, which served as the foundation for the 3D artwork. The result is a party game that looks and feels like a claymation film you can actually play. If you’ve been waiting for the next ridiculous multiplayer experience after Gang Beasts or Human Fall Flat, this wiggly physics-based chaos might be exactly what your next game night needs.
- Wiggly Worms With Slingshot Physics
- Mewt Football: FIFA 99 But With Worms
- Brawl Mode: Slingshot Bomb Battles
- Clay Aesthetic Through Stop Motion
- Public Playtest December 12th
- Four Game Modes Planned Total
- Shelter Studio’s Debut Project
- The Party Game Market
- Couch Co-Op and Online Play
- FAQs
- Would You Love Me If I Were a Worm
Wiggly Worms With Slingshot Physics
The core mechanic sounds deceptively simple but creates emergent chaos when you actually try to control these worms. You can grab both ends of your worm’s body, stretch it out like a rubber band, and release to launch yourself or objects across the arena. This slingshot mechanic applies to movement, attacking opponents, launching projectiles, and interacting with game objectives. Mastering the physics-based controls requires understanding momentum, trajectory, and timing rather than simply pressing buttons for predetermined animations.
The worm control scheme creates the kind of deliberate awkwardness that makes party games hilariously unpredictable. Skilled players can pull off impressive slingshot maneuvers while beginners flail around helplessly, but the chaos means anyone can win through lucky accidents and unexpected physics interactions. That accessibility combined with high skill ceiling defines great party game design where everyone laughs regardless of who’s winning.
Mewt Football: FIFA 99 But With Worms
One of the two announced game modes is Mewt Football, which the developers describe perfectly as “FIFA 99, but with the twist of asking would you love me if I were a worm?” Imagine trying to play soccer when your character is a floppy worm that can only move by grabbing its own ends and slingshotting around the field. The ball physics combined with worm physics creates absolute mayhem where goals happen through equal parts skill and fortunate chaos.
The football mode demonstrates how Mewts takes familiar party game concepts and transforms them through the worm control scheme. We’ve all played soccer-style party games, but none where the fundamental movement and interaction mechanics are this deliberately awkward. The nostalgia-baiting FIFA 99 reference suggests the developers understand their target audience, people who remember when sports games were arcadey fun before becoming ultra-realistic simulations.
Brawl Mode: Slingshot Bomb Battles
The second revealed mode is Brawl, a free-for-all where players launch slingshot bombs at each other using their wiggly clay bodies. This direct combat mode presumably rewards mastery of the slingshot mechanics as you aim projectiles at opponents while dodging incoming attacks. The bomb element adds explosive physics that can send worms flying across arenas or create chain reactions of destruction.
Brawl modes in party games need careful balancing to prevent frustrating pile-ons where everyone gangs up on the leader or skilled players dominate too easily. The physics-based nature of Mewts’ combat likely creates enough unpredictability that no strategy feels unbeatable. A well-aimed bomb can turn the tide instantly, keeping everyone engaged rather than resigned to losing once they fall behind.
Clay Aesthetic Through Stop Motion
What truly distinguishes Mewts visually is the genuine clay aesthetic achieved through traditional stop-motion animation techniques. The developers didn’t just apply clay-textured 3D models but actually crafted physical clay objects and stop-motion animations that informed the final digital artwork. This labor-intensive process creates authenticity that pure 3D modeling struggles to match, capturing the tactile imperfections and organic qualities of real claymation.
Recent games like Harold Halibut and The Midnight Walk demonstrated how stop-motion aesthetics can translate beautifully to interactive experiences when developers commit fully to the craft. Mewts applies this approach to party game chaos rather than narrative adventures, proving the aesthetic works across genres. The clay look enhances the silly tone by making everything feel handcrafted and playful rather than digital and sterile.
Public Playtest December 12th
The first public playtest launches this Friday evening, December 12, 2025, on Steam. This isn’t a limited demo but a live multiplayer testing session where the developers want feedback on how the online functionality performs under real-world conditions. The playtest will feature both announced game modes, Mewt Football and Brawl, giving players substantial content to evaluate the core mechanics and party game potential.
Public playtests serve multiple purposes beyond bug testing. They generate buzz through word-of-mouth from players who become invested in the project’s success. They validate that core mechanics work as intended when strangers play together rather than the development team who intimately understand every system. And they build community before launch, creating an audience ready to support the full release rather than launching into complete obscurity.
Four Game Modes Planned Total
The playtest showcases two of four planned game modes, suggesting substantial variety in the full release. We know about Mewt Football and Brawl, but two additional modes remain mysterious. Based on party game conventions, possibilities include racing variants where worms slingshot through obstacle courses, cooperative challenges requiring teamwork despite awkward controls, or survival modes against AI opponents or environmental hazards.
The variety matters because party games need diverse modes to maintain long-term engagement. Playing the same game mode repeatedly grows stale regardless of how fun the core mechanics are. Four distinct modes with the same worm physics create replayability where mastering controls in one mode transfers to others while each presents unique strategic considerations and chaos potential.
Shelter Studio’s Debut Project
Mewts appears to be the debut title from indie studio Shelter, which creates both excitement and uncertainty. New studios often bring fresh perspectives unburdened by established formulas, but they also lack track records demonstrating ability to deliver polished final products. The commitment to genuine stop-motion clay aesthetics suggests passion and artistic vision, though whether that translates to tight gameplay and lasting appeal remains to be seen.
The studio name Shelter unfortunately creates some confusion with Might and Delight’s survival game series also called Shelter. They’re completely unrelated projects from different developers, but search engines and casual observers might confuse them. This naming overlap could complicate marketing and discovery, something Shelter studio might want to address before full launch through clearer branding or communication.
The Party Game Market
Mewts enters a competitive but proven market where physics-based party games like Gang Beasts, Human Fall Flat, and Fall Guys demonstrated huge success. These games share DNA with Mewts, deliberately awkward controls, physics-driven chaos, accessible entry points with high skill ceilings, and emphasis on social fun over competitive balance. The genre thrives on streaming platforms where watching fumbling attempts is as entertaining as playing.
The challenge is standing out when dozens of similar party games release yearly. Mewts’ clay aesthetic and worm slingshot mechanics provide clear identity, but execution determines whether it becomes the next viral hit or gets buried under competitors. The playtest represents the crucial first impression where early adopters decide if the concept delivers on its promise or falls flat despite creative theming.
Couch Co-Op and Online Play
While specific platform details remain unclear, the 4-player focus and party game genre strongly suggest both local couch co-op and online multiplayer support. Modern party games need both to maximize audience reach. Local play provides the classic living room experience where everyone can see opponents’ reactions and trash talk freely. Online play extends the game’s lifespan beyond immediate friend groups and enables remote play sessions when gathering physically isn’t feasible.
The playtest specifically mentions testing online multiplayer functionality, confirming that component exists even if local play details haven’t been announced. Ideally, the full release supports mixed lobbies where some players join locally while others connect online, offering maximum flexibility for different social situations and friend group configurations.
FAQs
What is Mewts?
Mewts is a multiplayer party game for up to 4 players where you control wiggly worms that can grab both ends of their bodies and use themselves as slingshots. Developed by indie studio Shelter, it features a unique clay aesthetic created through stop-motion animation techniques and fast-paced physics-based gameplay.
When is the Mewts playtest?
The first public playtest launches Friday evening, December 12, 2025, on Steam. This is a live multiplayer testing session open to anyone who wants to try the game and help test the online functionality.
What game modes are in Mewts?
The playtest features two of four planned modes: Mewt Football (soccer with worms described as FIFA 99 but asking would you love me if I were a worm) and Brawl (free-for-all slingshot bomb battles). Two additional modes haven’t been revealed yet.
How does the clay aesthetic work?
Every element in Mewts was initially crafted from physical clay or animated using traditional stop-motion techniques, which served as the foundation for the 3D artwork. This creates an authentic claymation look with tactile qualities that pure 3D modeling struggles to achieve.
Who is developing Mewts?
Indie studio Shelter is creating Mewts. This appears to be their debut project, and they’re unrelated to the survival game series also called Shelter from developer Might and Delight despite the naming confusion.
How many players can play Mewts?
Mewts supports up to 4 players in multiplayer party game action. The game features online multiplayer with likely local couch co-op support as well, though specific platform details haven’t been fully confirmed yet.
What platforms will Mewts be on?
The playtest is on Steam, confirming PC support. Additional platforms haven’t been announced, but party games typically target consoles and PC to maximize multiplayer audience reach.
Would You Love Me If I Were a Worm
Mewts embraces the absurdist humor that makes great party games memorable. The concept of worms using themselves as slingshots shouldn’t work, but the commitment to clay aesthetics and physics-based chaos suggests developers who understand what makes multiplayer mayhem compelling. Join the December 12th playtest and discover whether controlling wiggly clay worms becomes your new favorite way to destroy friendships through competitive video games. Sometimes the best party games emerge when developers ask ridiculous questions like what if soccer players were worms and then actually build the answer with genuine artistic craft and playful imagination. Get ready to stretch, slingshot, and flop your way to victory this Friday.