What is Meccha Chameleon? Everything you need to know about Steam's latest hit

Meccha Chameleon, from Japan-based developer lemorion_1224, has climbed the Steam charts in days. It peaked at more than 200,000 concurrent players, sold more than two million units as of June 15, and has made nearly $10 million. Clips of players camouflaging themselves have spread widely on social media.

The core idea is simple: when a round starts, players hide somewhere in the level and hiders can paint themselves to blend into whatever they're next to, like a chameleon changing its colors. The mode echoes Prop Hunt, which began life as a mode in Garry's Mod before appearing in other games; some players start as hunters while the chameleons hide, and discovered chameleons become hunters.

The painting element adds a tactical layer because the more artistically talented you are, the more effectively you can hide. Plain surfaces let you coat yourself in one shade and are easier for hunters to spot because of shadows and the 3D model, while matching a complex design, such as patterned wallpaper, makes you less obvious.

Japan

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