The niche of mobile games for cats remains underexplored despite the growing pet care industry. While most mobile apps focus on pet health, behavior tracking, or human-focused entertainment, interactive games for pets - particularly cats are rare. The absence of such products inspired the development of this prototype, catering to cat owners seeking unique ways to engage and entertain their pets. By addressing a gap in the pet-tech market, this project opens new possibilities for pet entertainment.
The niche of mobile games for cats remains underexplored despite the growing pet care industry. While most mobile apps focus on pet health, behavior tracking, or human-focused entertainment, interactive games for pets - particularly cats are rare. The absence of such products inspired the development of this prototype, catering to cat owners seeking unique ways to engage and entertain their pets. By addressing a gap in the pet-tech market, this project opens new possibilities for pet entertainment.
service :
service :
C# with Unity
C# with Unity
timeline :
timeline :
sept 2023 - nov 2025
sept 2023 - nov 2025
game development
game development
mentor :
mentor :
role :
role :
Cat Games: Catering a Niche
Cat Games: Catering a Niche
Studying Cat Behavior &
Psychology
Studying Cat Behavior &
Psychology
An integral part of this project was understanding feline tendencies, behaviors, and gestures. Cats are naturally curious and tend to be driven by predatory instincts, which include chasing and hunting. The challenge lies in keeping a cat's attention, as their focus can easily shift. Through in-depth study of cat psychology, I observed how cats respond to movement, sound, and unpredictable patterns. These insights informed the design of each game.
For example, cats are particularly drawn to fast-moving objects like mice or fish, and unpredictable movements, like a laser pointer, keep them engaged longer.
Additionally, I incorporated high-pitched sounds and erratic movements to simulate prey behavior, which naturally holds a cat's attention.
An integral part of this project was understanding feline tendencies, behaviors, and gestures. Cats are naturally curious and tend to be driven by predatory instincts, which include chasing and hunting. The challenge lies in keeping a cat's attention, as their focus can easily shift. Through in-depth study of cat psychology, I observed how cats respond to movement, sound, and unpredictable patterns. These insights informed the design of each game.
For example, cats are particularly drawn to fast-moving objects like mice or fish, and unpredictable movements, like a laser pointer, keep them engaged longer.
Additionally, I incorporated high-pitched sounds and erratic movements to simulate prey behavior, which naturally holds a cat's attention.
Game Mechanics
Game Mechanics
● Mouse Catching: Fast, erratic mouse movements.
● Fish Swimming: Smooth animations mimicking underwater movement.
● Beam Chasing: A darting light that replicates laser pointers.
● Roach Catching: Quick and jittery bug motions.
"These mechanics were informed by studying feline behaviors like hunting and chasing"
● Mouse Catching: Fast, erratic mouse movements.
● Fish Swimming: Smooth animations mimicking underwater movement.
● Beam Chasing: A darting light that replicates laser pointers.
● Roach Catching: Quick and jittery bug motions.
"These mechanics were informed by studying feline behaviors like hunting and chasing"
Visual Design: Eye-
Catching Game Objects
Visual Design: Eye-
Catching Game Objects
● Selected high-contrast color schemes to cater to a cat’s limited color perception.
●. Kept object sizes and movements visually stimulating and at random to maintain cat's attention and engagement.
● Researching stimuli that cats find engaging and translating these into digital interactions.
● Selected high-contrast color schemes to cater to a cat’s limited color perception.
●. Kept object sizes and movements visually stimulating and at random to maintain cat's attention and engagement.
● Researching stimuli that cats find engaging and translating these into digital interactions.
Testing with Cat
Testing with Cat
Objective: The primary goal of this user testing was to assess the effectiveness of the mobile game prototype in capturing and maintaining a cat's attention, while also ensuring that the gameplay mechanics are intuitive and engaging for the feline player.
Test Subject: The game was tested on a live cat, providing valuable insights into how the gameplay mechanics and design resonate with actual feline behavior.
Objective: The primary goal of this user testing was to assess the effectiveness of the mobile game prototype in capturing and maintaining a cat's attention, while also ensuring that the gameplay mechanics are intuitive and engaging for the feline player.
Test Subject: The game was tested on a live cat, providing valuable insights into how the gameplay mechanics and design resonate with actual feline behavior.
Success Rate:
Success Rate:
User Test 01
User Test 01
Mouse Catching Game
Mouse Catching Game
User Test 02
Success Rate:
Fishing Game
User Test 03
Success Rate:
Laser Beam Game
User Test 04
Success Rate:
Roach Catching Game
Conclusion
This mobile game prototype demonstrates the potential of Unity in creating niche digital experiences. It not only highlights technical expertise in game development but also serves as a pioneer project in the emerging domain of pet entertainment. By blending creativity with technical precision, this app paves the way for a new segment in the gaming industry.
Cat Game Prototype
(Turn Volume On)
Cat Game Prototype
(Turn Volume On)
Observations
Response to Sound Effects: High-pitched chirps and squeaks in Mouse Catching and Roach Catching successfully drew and redirected the cat’s attention.
Engagement Duration: The cat stayed engaged, especially during Mouse Catching and Beam Chasing, where erratic movements triggered its hunting instincts. Attention dropped briefly when the game slowed or interest dipped.
Behavioral Response: Typical feline behaviors—tail flicks, focused eye movements, and repeated paw swipes—indicated strong engagement and interest.
Testing Conclusion: The test confirmed that erratic movements, high-pitched sounds, and touch interactivity effectively held the cat’s attention, validating the concept of mobile games designed specifically for cats.
Studying Cat Behavior & Psychology
An integral part of this project was understanding feline tendencies, behaviors, and gestures. Cats are naturally curious and tend to be driven by predatory instincts, which include chasing and hunting. The challenge lies in keeping a cat's attention, as their focus can easily shift. Through in-depth study of cat psychology, I observed how cats respond to movement, sound, and unpredictable patterns. These insights informed the design of each game.
For example, cats are particularly drawn to fast-moving objects like mice or fish, and unpredictable movements, like a laser pointer, keep them engaged longer.
Additionally, I incorporated high-pitched sounds and erratic movements to simulate prey behavior, which naturally holds a cat's attention.
The niche of mobile games for cats remains underexplored despite the growing pet care industry. While most mobile apps focus on pet health, behavior tracking, or human-focused entertainment, interactive games for pets - particularly cats are rare. The absence of such products inspired the development of this prototype, catering to cat owners seeking unique ways to engage and entertain their pets. By addressing a gap in the pet-tech market, this project opens new possibilities for pet entertainment.
Cat Games - Catering a Unique Niche
Cat Game Prototype (Turn Volume On)
Game Mechanics
● Mouse Catching: Fast, erratic mouse movements.
● Fish Swimming: Smooth animations mimicking underwater movement.
● Beam Chasing: A darting light that replicates laser pointers.
● Roach Catching: Quick and jittery bug motions.
"These mechanics were informed by studying feline behaviors like hunting and chasing"
Visual Design: Eye - Catching Game Objects
● Selected high-contrast colorS to cater to a cat’s limited color perception.
●. Kept object sizes and movements visually stimulating and at random to maintain cat's attention and engagement.
● Researching stimuli that cats find engaging and translating these into digital interactions.
Testing with Cat
Objective: The primary goal of this user testing was to assess the effectiveness of the mobile game prototype in capturing and maintaining a cat's attention, while also ensuring that the gameplay mechanics are intuitive and engaging for the feline player.
Test Subject: The game was tested on a live cat, providing valuable insights into how the gameplay mechanics and design resonate with actual feline behavior.
Success Rate:
User Test 01
Mouse Catching Game
User Test 02
Success Rate:
Fishing Game
User Test 03
Success Rate:
Laser Beam Game
User Test 04
Success Rate:
Roach Catching Game
Conclusion
This mobile game prototype demonstrates the potential of Unity in creating niche digital experiences. It not only highlights technical expertise in game development but also serves as a pioneer project in the emerging domain of pet entertainment. By blending creativity with technical precision, this app paves the way for a new segment in the gaming industry.
Observations
Response to Sound Effects: High-pitched chirps and squeaks in Mouse Catching and Roach Catching successfully drew and redirected the cat’s attention.
Engagement Duration: The cat stayed engaged, especially during Mouse Catching and Beam Chasing, where erratic movements triggered its hunting instincts. Attention dropped briefly when the game slowed or interest dipped.
Behavioral Response: Typical feline behaviors—tail flicks, focused eye movements, and repeated paw swipes—indicated strong engagement and interest.
Testing Conclusion: The test confirmed that erratic movements, high-pitched sounds, and touch interactivity effectively held the cat’s attention, validating the concept of mobile games designed specifically for cats.
User Test 02
Fishing Game
Success Rate:
User Test 04
Success Rate:
Roach Catching Game
Response to Sound Effects: High-pitched chirps and squeaks in Mouse Catching and Roach Catching successfully drew and redirected the cat’s attention.
Engagement Duration: The cat stayed engaged, especially during Mouse Catching and Beam Chasing, where erratic movements triggered its hunting instincts. Attention dropped briefly when the game slowed or interest dipped.
Behavioral Response: Typical feline behaviors—tail flicks, focused eye movements, and repeated paw swipes—indicated strong engagement and interest.
Testing Conclusion: The test confirmed that erratic movements, high-pitched sounds, and touch interactivity effectively held the cat’s attention, validating the concept of mobile games designed specifically for cats.
Conclusion
This mobile game prototype demonstrates the potential of Unity in creating niche digital experiences. It not only highlights technical expertise in game development but also serves as a pioneer project in the emerging domain of pet entertainment. By blending creativity with technical precision, this app paves the way for a new segment in the gaming industry.
User Test 02
Beam Catching
Success Rate: