On December 14, a mysterious game trailer made its debut at The Game Awards (TGA), the world’s largest gaming award ceremony and promotional stage. The game, titled Catly, is the first release from a company named SuperAuthenti. According to the Steam store page, Catly is an action, MMO, and open-world game with a cat theme.

Confusion Surrounds the Game’s Trailer

Upon the release of the Catly trailer, many international players were left puzzled. The design of the cat character appeared unnatural, and the trailer's content was chaotic, making it difficult to grasp its meaning. The character's illogical movements, the mismatched background music (BGM), and the strange human clothing showcased in the gameplay all added to the confusion. The trailer seemed to be filled with too many conflicting elements.

Platforms and Marketing Concerns

The game was announced to be launching on PC, Nintendo Switch, and Apple Watch. However, after the event, concerns grew among overseas viewers, especially since Catly was reportedly heavily marketed during The Game Awards. It is well known that the cost of airing a trailer during TGA can be astronomical. This is not the platform for indie games with small marketing budgets, but rather a stage for well-known games with multi-million-dollar promotional campaigns. Despite spending significant funds on marketing, the game did not reveal any specific gameplay details after the event.

No Developer Interviews and Vague Press Releases

There were no interviews with the developers, and reports claim that the overseas press release only used vague terminology, avoiding any mention of the game being "AAA" or its actual development status. Interestingly, The Game Awards uploaded the game’s trailer to their official YouTube channel, but this game, claiming to be "AAA," is the first to not upload its trailer directly on TGA’s own channel.

Fraud Allegations from the Community

Following the trailer's release, some overseas players raised concerns about the possibility of Catly being a fraudulent project. Players speculated that Catly might be leveraging artificial intelligence (AI) to create misleading results, using exaggerated marketing tactics to deceive people and make money.

For instance, the developer SuperAuthenti remains largely unknown. A search on the professional networking site LinkedIn revealed that the company’s founder is a Chinese individual who previously tried to develop blockchain games. The company is estimated to have only three members.

After suspicious posts surfaced online, the company and its officials’ LinkedIn pages were set to private. According to a leaked LinkedIn photo, a company representative allegedly showed Catly to former Sony executive Shuhei Yoshida, though this has not been confirmed, making it hard to verify its authenticity.

Steam Store Page Under Scrutiny

The Steam store page for Catly has also raised questions. Overseas players have pointed out that the game’s description appears awkward and forced, resembling something written by AI. Although the cat design in the trailer is consistent, making it seem like it was created using actual graphic technology rather than AI, some believe that the design shows clear signs of AI influence.

Developer's Silence on AI Usage

According to a report from Digital Trends, inquiries were made to the developer’s PR team regarding the use of AI in Catly. The response was that more details would not be disclosed until 2025, and they could not even comment on which engine the game was developed with.

Potential Release Date and Ongoing Speculation

If you're interested in Catly, it’s best to keep an eye on the Apple Store for its release. While the game is scheduled for release in 2025, not much additional information has been provided. The Apple Store indicates that the game will launch on June 1, 2025. Some gamers have even filed complaints with The Game Awards, questioning whether it is appropriate to air unverified promotional videos at an event aiming for the title of “Best Global Game Awards” — especially when "anyone can get their trailer aired as long as they pay."

TGA’s Marketing Model Under Criticism

In fact, The Game Awards is notorious for its high costs when it comes to airing trailers, with reports suggesting that showing a 1-2 minute video during the event can cost several hundred thousand dollars. It is said that paying to have the game name mentioned, have the trailer shown, and display brief images of the game on the side screens all require separate payments.