Crab Game was created by the YouTuber Dani. Obviously, it is based on the international sensation called Squid Games. However, the game has become fairly popular and this brings up the question. Is Crab Game a joke game?
What is a joke game?
A joke game is a concept that I came up with. The term describes a game that is made around the concept of a streamer or youtube playing it for the memes included. This game is clearly made to capitalize on Squid Games, and the culture surrounding the release. However, not all joke games are like this.
A great example of a joke game is the Colonel Sanders dating game. The game is kind of bizarre and is made around the idea that people will tweet about it. Gaming influencers get easy content, and brands boost their recognition. It is symbiotic.
Crab Game doesn’t relate to a brand outside of the influencer who made it. The game is more about having big streamers like Ludwig and XQC play it on stream. However, this is not a bad thing. A game that is full of memes will attract a crowd.
Gaming culture has a weird zeitgeist of inside jokes, and it is only logical that developers will integrate those in the game. For example, Turnip Boy commits Tax Evasion is full of Jojo references and memes. Another example is the Minecraft reference that is in Skyrim back in 2011.
Are joke games bad games?
A joke game are meant to be fun outside of the gameplay, and when detached from the context loses some fun. For example, the Pickaxe found in Skyrim which referenced Minecraft is only funny or neat if you understand the reference. However, a great joke game is fine without the context.
At the moment, I have never seen Squid Game, and I will likely never watch it. I am not much of a TV watcher. However, I do enjoy the insanity and concept of Crab Game. Crab Game is not a novel concept. People have been making games like this in Roblox and Garry’s Mod for the better half of the last 10 years.
Crab Games is just Fall Guys but it has proximity chat.
Is Crab Game a joke game, and does it matter?
Crab Game is a joke game. Would anyone care about it if it didn’t relate to Squid Game? I doubt it. However, I do love the references and did get a lot of chuckles from the people playing the game.
Crab Game is designed to be insane, and nothing is more evident than the inclusion of a push. It feels like a meme to want to push people during multiple different games in the shows.
I don’t have my full opinions on Crab Game developed, but when I get a review figured out I will link it about right… here.