Steam players have a limited window to try out This Is Fine: Maximum Cope, a Metroidvania adaptation of the famous “This Is Fine” meme by cartoonist KC Green. The demo is available until October 22 as part of the Steam Next Fest event, giving fans a taste of what’s to come before the game’s full release in March 2026.
From Webcomic to Metroidvania
The “This Is Fine” meme originated in Green’s 2013 Gunshow webcomic, where a cheerful dog, Question Hound, calmly drinks coffee as his surroundings burn. The comic’s first two panels went viral in 2014, becoming a universal expression of denial amid chaos. While Gunshow ended in 2014, the comic’s cultural impact has endured, inspiring everything from merchandise to this new game adaptation.
Demo Details and Extended Availability
This Is Fine: Maximum Cope had a brief delay before launch, missing the initial Steam Next Fest start date. Developer Numskull Games confirmed that the demo period will be extended beyond the event’s end on October 20, allowing players a couple of extra days to explore it.
In the game, players take control of Question Hound across five worlds themed around emotions such as Failure, Fear, and Regret. Exploration plays a major role, with players discovering coffee beans used to unlock perks that enhance abilities — including one that magnetically attracts nearby beans. The comic’s signature coffee table and burning home serve as rest points where players can save progress and backtrack, adding a layer of strategy to progression.
A Promising Adaptation of Internet History
While meme-based games can be hit or miss, This Is Fine: Maximum Cope appears to embrace its roots with thoughtful design and emotional depth. It aims to turn the meme’s ironic calmness amid disaster into a meaningful gameplay journey.
The full game is set to launch on Steam and all major consoles in March 2026, with more details expected closer to release. Fans of KC Green’s work and indie Metroidvania enthusiasts alike will want to keep this one on their radar.
