Fifteen years ago, a mischievous gray cat arguably changed the way many of us played on our phones. As Talking Tom wasn’t just a game, he was a viral moment, a meme machine, and a virtual buddy you couldn’t resist poking.
Fast forward to today, and Tom is making a comeback in a big way. Developer Outfit7 has officially remastered the original Talking Tom Cat for 2025, bringing sharper visuals, fun new animations, and fresh features that reintroduce the OG to a whole new generation.
The remaster caps off what’s been a huge year for Outfit7, with My Talking Tom Friends 2, Talking Tom Friends World, and major updates across the franchise (yes, Angela’s got her own hair salon now in My Talking Angela 2). But nothing says “full circle” quite like taking the app that started it all and giving it a bold new glow-up.
We sat down with Xinyu Qian, CEO of Outfit7, to talk about why now was the perfect time to remaster the classic, how you keep a cultural icon relevant after 1.5 billion downloads and 260 billion pokes, and what’s next for one of mobile gaming’s most recognizable stars.
Talking Tom was one of the first mobile games to truly “go viral,” long before TikTok or Instagram Reels even existed. With over 1.5 billion downloads and billions of pokes later, what do you think made Tom such a phenomenon-and could anything like that happen again today?
Talking Tom worked because he was instant fun. Tap the screen, he repeats what you say, and people laugh. No tutorial, no friction, just a universal joke that connected everywhere. It launched at the perfect time, when people were discovering what smartphones could do. It was the app you had to show your friends, to make a record and share it online; and it spread faster than we imagined.
Could the same thing happen today? Probably not in the exact same way. App stores are crowded, players have endless options, and virality looks different now. But millions still download and play Talking Tom, along with our other flagship hits like My Talking Tom 2, My Talking Angela 2, and Talking Tom Gold Run, which proves he wasn’t just a moment in time. Fifteen years later, he’s still a part of people’s daily fun.
15 years later, Talking Tom Cat is back. Why was now the perfect time to remaster one of mobile gaming’s most iconic characters?
This year we introduced a refreshed visual style, which debuted in My Talking Tom Friends 2, as part of a bigger evolution for the entire franchise. We’re giving our characters voices, building richer worlds around them, and leaning into creativity and connection in ways we’ve never done before. Remastering Talking Tom Cat was the natural next step in that journey. It’s the game that started everything, and it deserved to be part of this new era.
The new design is brighter and more expressive, but it’s not just about sharper graphics. It’s about making Talking Tom feel even more alive and connected to players, whether it’s through the way he reacts, the new features, or the personality that shines through. For us, this remaster is both a tribute to the legacy of Tom and a signal of where the whole Talking Tom & Friends universe is headed.
Talking Tom isn’t just a game character, he’s a cultural icon. How do you approach managing a legacy like that while keeping it relevant for new players?
Keeping Talking Tom relevant means creating new experiences while staying true to his essence. Talking Tom & Friends has always been about pranky and simple fun, but also self-expression and giving people confidence to play their way, explore, connect, and collaborate. Tom embodies that spirit: playful, adventurous, and joyful.
Fifteen years ago, fans started poking and feeding Tom, and were already creating and sharing content, mostly on platforms like YouTube. Today, that desire to express themselves has evolved, so we’ve added expressive animations, playful filters, screen recording and content optimized for TikTok and Instagram. Tom remains the same energetic character, but in 2025 he’s more interactive, more connected, and more in tune with how people express themselves.
When you look at the 2010 Talking Tom versus the 2025 Talking Tom, what does this evolution say about how mobile gaming, and its players, have grown over the past 15 years?
The difference shows how far gaming has come. In 2010 it was about simple fun: poke Talking Tom, laugh, share a moment. Today players expect immersive worlds, creative tools, and social connection. Technology made that possible, and we delivered. From open-world adventures to TikTok-ready features, Tom and friends have stayed playful while growing more interactive and connected.
How do you balance the nostalgia for long-time fans with the excitement of players discovering Talking Tom for the first time in 2025?
We approach it through two product lines: one for our broad audience, and a newer one designed specifically for kids. For the broad audience, it’s about balancing the core essence of Talking Tom & Friends with fresh innovation. In My Talking Tom Friends 2, for example, we rolled out a refreshed visual style and expanded the in-game environment where Tom and friends live while keeping the essence of the prequel. In My Talking Hank: Islands, we went even further by introducing open-world, explorational gameplay while staying true to the classic tamagotchi charm that players have enjoyed for years. It’s about honoring what long-time fans treasure, while giving them bold new ways to play.
For kids, with our newest addition Talking Tom Friends: World, we’re building experiences tailored to how younger players like to engage, drawing on everything we’ve learned over the years. It’s still a newer space for us, but one with huge potential to deliver playful, age-appropriate experiences that will grow with the next generation of Talking Tom fans.
The mobile gaming market has changed dramatically in the last 15 years. Where do you see Outfit7’s unique place in today’s ecosystem?
Outfit7 has built a unique footprint in mobile gaming. Outfit7 has built a uniquely resilient and dynamic presence in mobile gaming. Talking Tom & Friends is more than a collection of games – it’s a multi-game franchise that evolves with its fans. The original Talking Tom Cat has been downloaded over 1.5 billion times, and across the franchise, our games reach more than 470 million monthly downloads. Remastering Talking Tom was about honoring that legacy while opening the door to a new generation of players. Our latest title, My Talking Tom Friends 2, hit #1 in games on Android in 41 countries, including the US, and topped iOS charts in 89 markets – prove that the franchise can celebrate its roots while delivering fresh, global experiences.
But our ambition goes beyond downloads. Outfit7 spans video content, licensing, and over 30 indoor theme parks in China, creating a multi-platform ecosystem that keeps fans engaged everywhere they interact with the brand. By combining strong IP, global reach, and relentless innovation, we remain playful, relevant, and strategically positioned to thrive in a mobile landscape that is constantly evolving.
2024 has been a landmark year for Outfit7, with My Talking Tom Friends 2, which ranked #1 in games in 41 geos, Talking Tom Friends World, and major updates across the portfolio like the hair salon in My Talking Angela 2. What does this momentum say about Outfit7’s strategy and vision for the mobile space?
This momentum shows our strategy at work: strengthen our classics while expanding into new areas. A major sequel, updates to flagship games, and a fresh kids’ experience like Talking Tom Friends: World prove we’re moving deliberately into the next chapter. It’s about balancing what fans love with new experiences that keep the brand playful and future-ready.
As CEO, how do you measure success beyond downloads and rankings – what’s the bigger vision you’re steering Outfit7 toward?
Success means more than downloads. It’s about strengthening our core Talking Tom & Friends universe and branching out to new platforms. Our team is ready to craft entirely new IPs beyond Talking Tom and Friends, and these new games? Let’s just say they’re going to shake things up and take Outfit7 on a whole new growth curve.
If you had to summarize Outfit7’s 2025 roadmap in a single sentence, how would you tease it?
In 2025 we’re going all in and making bold moves to shake up the market and planting the seeds for our next wave of growth.
And finally, the question everyone wants to know: do you still poke Tom yourself?
Yes, I do. That is part of my daily agenda (laughs). I also like dragging Tom, overfeeding him, and just seeing what funny reactions I can get. Honestly, it never gets old.
Thanks to Xinyu for his time. Make sure you check out the Talking Tom & Friends titles via the official site here.
The post Interview: Outfit7 on 15 Years of Talking Tom (and His Friends) appeared first on Gamezebo.
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