Power-washing, pool-cleaning and mowing: Why millions are playing games about mundane jobs
Power-washing, pool-cleaning and mowing: Why millions are playing games about mundane jobs
A growing trend in gaming has seen players embrace repetitive, everyday tasks as a form of digital relaxation. Titles like PowerWash Simulator, Lawn Mowing Simulator, and others have captured the imagination of millions, offering a meditative escape from the chaos of modern life. These games, which simulate mundane chores, are now part of a thriving genre that prioritizes calm over complexity.
The appeal of routine
PowerWash Simulator, released in 2021, lets players don cleaning gear and hose down virtual locations until they gleam with cleanliness. Despite its seemingly simple premise, the game has sold over 17 million copies, proving there’s a strong appetite for such activities. Its 2025 sequel recently earned two Bafta Games Awards nominations, highlighting its popularity. As Kirsty Rigden, CEO of Brighton-based FuturLab, explains, the goal is to create a game akin to Graham Norton’s talk show—comfortable, familiar, and soothing.
“We want to make the Graham Norton of video games,” Rigden said. “It doesn’t demand intense focus, but it offers a satisfying rhythm that feels almost therapeutic.”
Rigden’s vision aligns with a broader trend in gaming: the rise of “mundane job simulations.” These games let players engage in tasks that, on the surface, lack excitement. Yet, they provide a sense of accomplishment through repetition. “It’s a pure form of meditation,” Rigden noted. “You focus on one thing, and the world outside fades away.”
The concept isn’t new. FuturLab’s series was inspired by Rigden’s fascination with YouTube videos showcasing power-washing routines. Social media influencers, with millions of followers, have long celebrated the joy of tidying up, making the genre feel both timely and relatable. Lawn Mowing Simulator, for instance, lets players manage a British countryside lawn care business, using real-world licensed mowers. A sequel is set to expand the experience to American trailer parks and town hall gardens.
David Harper, founder of Liverpool-based Skyhook Games, described the genre as a “safe haven” for players. “It’s about transforming chaos into order,” he said. “There’s a quiet satisfaction in watching a messy scene become pristine.” This sentiment resonates with streamers and content creators, who often use such games to chat with audiences without needing intense engagement.
From stress to serenity
Comedian Ellie Gibson, a Twitch streamer, shared her experience with PowerWash Simulator after a friend suggested it. She holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous playtime—24 hours, six minutes, and 33 seconds—citing the game’s calming effect. “It’s like the feeling you get from coloring books or knitting,” she said. “The only difference is the finished product is a clean monster truck, not a scarf.”
Players have reported that these games offer more than entertainment. Rigden mentioned receiving messages from fans who used the titles to cope with challenges like cancer treatments. Harper echoed this, noting that many players use the games to manage anxiety. “Hearing how our work has helped people during tough times is incredibly rewarding,” he said.
The genre’s soothing nature has also drawn attention from researchers. An Oxford University study in March 2023 tracked over 8,600 players’ moods every 10 minutes while they played a modified version of PowerWash Simulator. The findings revealed that 72% of participants felt a mood uplift after completing tasks, underscoring the games’ potential to ease stress and improve wellbeing.
