PowerWash Simulator may feel like a sleeper hit, but veteran UK developer FuturLab knew early on it had something special on its hands. A brilliant blend of compulsive yet cosy gameplay, PowerWash Simulator sounds an unlikely concept – and yet it has found a legion of fans who don’t want to stop playing. Now, with the successful launch of its first paid DLC – based on SpongeBob SquarePants – safely tucked under its belt, I’m keen to find out what’s next for the game, and for FuturLab itself.
“The goal was the Millennium Falcon,” FuturLab boss James Marsden tells me as we sit down for a catch up in Brighton – FuturLab and Eurogamer’s shared home. “So, working backwards from that, what do we need to do?” Marsden is recalling the earliest conversations FuturLab had amongst themselves regarding the game’s suddenly spiking popularity in early access, and the potential for the studio to popularise a concept they were rightly proud of.
Enter Elliot Greenwood, now FuturLabs’ licensing and business development manager, whose job it has been to convince other brands and game developers of PowerWash Simulator’s success – even before the game came out. “Literally, in my interview for this role, James said, ‘we want the Millennium Falcon, can you get it?'” Greenwood recalls. “I was like, ‘I’ll try my best’.”
Marsden notes that no deal with Disney has been done (yet) but we are nevertheless now living in a world where, if one was announced tomorrow, I for one would not be too surprised. This month’s launch of a SpongeBob SquarePants DLC follows previous add-ons themed around Tomb Raider and Final Fantasy. A Warhammer pack is due later this year. Suddenly, brands are falling over themselves to be in PowerWash Simulator. But how did this happen?