The Co-op Game Hype Cycle

Friend group asks to get new popular co-op game taking the internet by storm. Get coerced into paying full price. Play 2 rounds Get invested and spend more time learning the game. Ask to play but get denied because the hype already ended.

A gray Among Us-style crewmate is shown at the center of a circular cycle with arrows. A friend group pressures someone to buy a popular co-op game at full price, but after only two rounds they become invested and learn the game just as the hype ends and friends refuse to play. The joke captures the frustrating cycle of buying into multiplayer trends too late. EN: A gray Among Us-style crewmate is shown at the center of a circular cycle with arrows. A friend group pressures someone to buy a popular co-op game at full price, but after only two rounds they become invested and learn the game just as the hype ends and friends refuse to play. The joke captures the frustrating cycle of buying into multiplayer trends too late.

• @antichirst / 23023 2026-08-20