We’re an indie studio making games where pets become your teammates. Our goal is simple: we want playtime to be fun for both humans and animals.
Happy Tail Games began as a mother–daughter project powered by four extremely unhelpful (yet very enthusiastic) feline “play testers”: Chibi, Nemu, Jimmy, and May. If a rule can be knocked over, sat on, batted under the sofa, or chewed, they’ve tested it.
We create games with a touch of chaos, plenty of laughs, and space for your pet to join the fun.
Has your cat ever tried to “help” with a board game? Now they finally have permission.
We’re putting pets on the board and letting them shake the dice. (Well, metaphorically. They still have no thumbs.)
HOW IT STARTED
We’ve always loved games — and our cats have always demanded to be the centre of attention.
After too many game nights interrupted by paws, tails, and dramatic table-sitting, we decided:
“Fine. Let’s make a game for the cats.”
And so Cats Don’t Fetch was born — the card game where your pet becomes your teammate, the referee, and occasionally the saboteur.
WHAT WE MAKE
Our goal is to create a growing range of games where:
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your pet’s behaviour shapes the play
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chaos is part of the fun
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laughter and bonding matter more than winning
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rules are simple and inclusive
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everyone — including the cat — feels like they’re part of the experience
Cats Don’t Fetch is our first release, with more pet-powered games coming soon.
MEET THE PLAYTESTERS
The four furry geniuses (and saboteurs) behind Happy Tail Games.
Our games wouldn’t exist without the “creative direction” of our cats. Every rule in Cats Don’t Fetch was shaped — or completely derailed — by one of these four. Here are the talented chaos gremlins who helped us design a game where your cat can take charge too.
They are the creative directors, quality testers, and reason most prototypes have teeth marks.
Nemu
Head of Tactile Testing
A polydactyl paw-tapper with endless enthusiasm. Known for head-butt kisses and trying to dig tunnels through any glass surface.
Chibi
Director of Sitting on Things
Huge, gentle, and committed to dramatic flopping. His upside-down “legs in the air” pose directly inspired our “Show Tummy” card.
Jimmy
Chief Chaos Consultant
Local celebrity, occasional home visitor, and full-time zoomie machine. Responsible for the “Game Over — Your Cat Has Left” rule.
May
Head of Emotional Support
A sweet shadow who follows you everywhere and stares lovingly during testing (instead of actually doing the action). She inspired the calmer “See It, Score It” observation cards.
Nemu
Head of Tactile Testing
Nemu is a polydactyl boy equipped with more toes than strictly necessary — and he puts every single one of them to work. Head-butt kisses, paw taps, and enthusiastic pat-pat-pats are his speciality.
He also tries to dig tunnels through any glass surface he encounters: mirrors, doors, windows, shower screens — all fair game.
During development, Nemu invented one of our most memorable actions: “Pat This Card.” If something moves, he bats it. If it doesn’t move, he bats it anyway. He’s also the most likely to chew prototypes — an essential part of his personal quality-control process.
Chibi
Director of Sitting on Things
Chibi is enormous, gentle, and deeply committed to comfort. His signature move is the dramatic flop: lying on his back with all four legs in the air, which directly inspired the “Show Tummy” card.
He also has a unique talent for sitting on cards — any cards — which taught us one of the core truths of Cats Don’t Fetch: sometimes the game ends because the cat has become the playing surface.
Jimmy
Chief Chaos Consultant
Jimmy is the neighbourhood’s most beloved extrovert. He spends his days visiting different houses, accepting snacks from strangers, and returning home only when it suits him. When he does appear, he brings dramatic fangs, loud opinions, and spectacular zoomies.
Jimmy is responsible for two major design breakthroughs:
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the rule now known as “Game Over — Your Cat Has Left”
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the principle that no action should be expected to happen twice
He is the undisputed king of unpredictable exits mid-round.
May
Head of Emotional Support
May is gentle, sweet, and endlessly devoted to her humans. During testing, she mostly contributed by staring lovingly at us while we begged her to sit on a knee or raise a paw. She aims to please — just not necessarily during the actual game.
Her calm nature (and tendency to fall asleep mid-round) inspired many of the softer, observation-based “See It, Score It” cards — perfect for cats who prefer to be admired rather than instructed.
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