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
In the world of gaming, a growing trend has emerged around the idea of simulating everyday tasks. Titles like PowerWash Simulator and Lawn Mowing Simulator offer players a chance to engage with activities such as cleaning, landscaping, and maintaining outdoor spaces. These games, which may seem unexciting at first glance, have gained massive popularity, with PowerWash Simulator alone selling over 17 million copies since its 2021 release. A 2025 sequel has recently been shortlisted for two Bafta Games Awards, highlighting the genre’s increasing appeal.
The Appeal of Routine
Developers of such games describe them as a form of “mundane job simulation,” where repetitive, low-stakes tasks provide a calming escape. Kirsty Rigden, CEO of Brighton-based FuturLab, which created PowerWash Simulator, compares the experience to the Graham Norton show. “We aim to create the kind of comfort people find in a talkshow host—affable, not thrilling,” she explains. While Norton’s charm lies in his personality, Rigden believes the games offer a similar kind of satisfaction through their simplicity. “You don’t have to strain your mind too much, but it still feels rewarding,” she adds.
“Graham Norton doesn’t make you feel stupid, but you also don’t have to think too hard,” Rigden told BBC News. “It engages the right amount of brain and at the end of it you go, ‘Oh, that was really pleasant.'”
The games mirror the soothing rhythm of real-world chores. In PowerWash Simulator, players tackle one grime-covered area after another, repeating the process of rinsing and scrubbing until everything gleams. Rigden notes that this repetitive structure resonates with people in a stressed world. “It’s a pure form of meditation,” she says, allowing players to focus on a single task and disconnect from daily pressures.
The concept isn’t limited to power washing. Lawn Mowing Simulator lets players manage a landscaping business, using real-world licensed mowers to tend to the Great British countryside. A sequel is in development, set to explore American trailer parks and town hall gardens. David Harper, founder of Liverpool-based Skyhook Games, highlights how these titles serve as an emotional refuge. “Players use it to escape the pressures of real life,” he says. “There’s satisfaction in transforming chaos into order.”
Social media has amplified the genre’s reach. Influencers with large followings share content about cleaning and organizing, inspiring game developers to tap into this niche. PowerWash Simulator, for instance, has become a favorite among streamers, with a 2021 gameplay video amassing over nine million views. Comedian Ellie Gibson, a Twitch streamer, credits her friend for introducing her to the game. She holds the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous play session—24 hours, six minutes, and 33 seconds—and describes the experience as “psychedelic” during a late-night session cleaning a playground.
“You get the finished result of a clean monster truck, rather than a scarf,” Gibson joked, noting the game’s calming effect mirrors that of coloring books or knitting.
Both Rigden and Harper have received numerous messages from players thanking them for the games’ therapeutic value. “Hearing how our game has helped people manage anxiety and mental health is incredibly rewarding,” Harper said. Rigden added that players even used the series to cope during challenging times like cancer treatments. The games’ impact has even drawn academic attention, with an Oxford University study examining their effect on wellbeing. In March 2023, over 8,600 participants tracked their mood every 10 minutes while playing a custom version. The results showed that 72% felt an improvement in their emotional state.
