When deadmau5 (Joel Zimmerman) lost his beloved cat Meowingtons in August 2023, he didn’t just mourn—he coded. What began as a simple experiment in ragdoll physics soon evolved into a heartfelt digital tribute and the launchpad for his new game studio: Oberha5li Studios.
Meowingtons, a 16-year-old domestic shorthair, was no stranger to fame. In 2012, he famously appeared on a giant billboard in downtown Toronto—unfazed by his own face beaming back at him. “Do you even care?” Zimmerman recalls asking. The answer was classic cat: indifference.
But that quirky attitude inspired a legacy.
The Birth of Meowingtons Simulator
Developed using Unreal Engine, Meowingtons Simulator is a rhythm-based ragdoll game that lets players control a dancing, digital version of the late feline. With every beat of the music, Meowingtons flops, bounces, and grooves across a neon-lit nightclub.
“It’s not therapy,” Zimmerman says. “He lived to be 16. It happens. This was more about exploring tech—and it just turned out to be funny as hell.”
The game’s core mechanic relies on Quartz, Epic Games’ high-precision audio engine. Working with Epic’s Aaron McLeran and Max Hayes, Zimmerman built a system that synchronizes in-game movement perfectly with the beat—down to the sub-microsecond level. The result? A game where the cat’s floppy movements mirror the music exactly, regardless of tempo.
Turning Code Into Community
Realizing a floppy cat alone didn’t make a full game, Zimmerman brought in veteran developer Cameron Rockey. Together, they expanded the project into something more social and engaging.
Rockey added multiplayer, allowing players’ cats to dance together—even to different songs. He also introduced leaderboards, custom deadmau5 helmets, and other cosmetic features that encourage personalization and community interaction.
“We wanted to create a shared experience that stays true to deadmau5’s brand,” Rockey explains.
What’s Next for Oberha5li Studios?
While Meowingtons Simulator began as a side project, it’s now the foundation for something much bigger. Zimmerman has ambitious plans for Oberha5li Studios, eyeing a future filled with larger, more polished titles.
“This is our first little thing,” he says. “But in two years, I see us with a team of 10 and a AAA-looking title in development.”
Despite the high goals, Zimmerman keeps things grounded. “We’re just two dudes on Discord messing around and making a game,” he laughs. But the results speak for themselves—a quirky, heartfelt, and technically impressive tribute that celebrates both a cherished pet and a new creative chapter.