- Home
- Technology
- Gaming
- What makes PowerWash Simulator so compelling? Here's what one of its designers has to say
❚ We may earn commission from links on this page. Our editorial is always independent (learn more).
What makes PowerWash Simulator so compelling? Here's what one of its designers has to say
We chatted with PowerWash Simulator 2 designer Dan Berrecloth as part of the For One Night Only showcase.
Futurlab
- Alex Raisbeck
Published: Wednesday, 29 July 2026 at 9:00 pm
Stay ahead of the game! Sign up for our FREE gaming newsletter
A few years ago, pitching a game where you simply power wash dirt for fun would have elicited confusion from almost anyone who heard it.
Ad
Indeed, even now, when non-gamers hear the idea – as evidenced by those in our very office – you get the exact same reaction.
Fast forward to 2026, and PowerWash Simulator is one of the most successful indie games of the decade, spawning two standalone titles, multiple crossovers and seemingly endless Twitch streams.
So, what makes a game about power washing so enthralling? Ahead of the For One Night Only showcase, PowerWash Simulator 2 designer Dan Berrecloth said simply that "it just scratches that itch for people.
"One of the biggest indicators that this was maybe something we should explore was the subreddit r/powerwashingporn, where it’s just got ridiculous numbers of people every day in there, just watching people power wash.
"And then it’s just a case of honing in on making that a full mechanic, and the rest is kind of history really, because it just blew up from there."
Want to see this content?
This page contains content provided by Google reCAPTCHA. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as Google reCAPTCHA may use cookies and other technologies. To view this content, choose 'Accept and continue' to allow Google reCAPTCHA and its required purposes.
Accept and continue
But itch scratching or not, in the real world, power washing is a chore. How does one approach turning something that isn’t fun outside of gaming into something one could spend hours doing?
"[It] is quite weird from a design perspective. But once you actually drill into why we kind of like that monotonous thing and finding a way to make that fun, it’s a bit of a challenge.
"But it definitely stretches that, it puts people into a different mind space almost. Every time I play it, my watch tells me my heart rate’s dropping low, and I’m like, ‘Wow, I’m so chilled out.’ And that’s even now after three years of working on it.
"It’s almost like the perfect vessel for people to either lock in and look at all the details of the levels, or completely tune out, listen to a podcast, play whilst they do it."
But PowerWash, rather famously, contrasts the mundanity of its gameplay with its environments, which are typically bright and flashy, such as the new bouncy castle-themed level I was there to see.
I ask Berrecloth how those levels come to be.
"Essentially, it’s all about a few things that we tick the box of to make sure it’s going to be fun.
"Like, the contrast between dirty and clean has to be really, really drastic, so it’s popping as you’re cleaning away. That’s one of the main things we think about.
"Satisfying shapes. We put a lot of effort into grounding edges, making things washable from specific locations. There’s a lot of nuance to the design, but essentially, just fun, quirky ideas and give people a big task to do in their own time."
Beyond the regular levels, PowerWash has also played host to crossover levels for the likes of Shrek, SpongeBob, Final Fantasy and Berrecloth’s personal favourite, Star Wars – "Working on the Super Star Destroyer was a dream come true." – though he still holds out hope for a Dragon Ball Z crossover.
PowerWash Simulator 2. FuturLab
On the development of such levels, he explained that each crossover has been rather easy to get to grips with, because there are always people who love the original IP, while IP owners are often happy to let the team get creative.
"There’s a lot of leeway to put a love of love and detail into things, like the way the dirt is on the Super Star bridge is a certain way to indicate certain things.
"We’re allowed to put that flair and nuance into it where we see fit."
PowerWash Simulator 2 debuted its bouncy castle level at the For One Night Only showcase, an event showing off the biggest and best of British gaming.
It’s a tough time for the industry as a whole, but for Berrecloth, the British industry is ready to bounce back, and events like this are evidence of that.
"I think it’s on the up. I think events like this kind of help reinforce that. This is not relying on events in other countries as much as really pushing to start something a bit more grassroots and a bit more UK-based.
"We’re fully on board with that. And there’s always so many cool things happening in this country."
You can catch up with For One Night Only from on 29 July 2026 on YouTube, Twitch and Steam.
You can also check out all of the featured games as part of a limited-time FONO Steam sale.
Ad
Check out more of our Gaming coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what's on. For more TV recommendations and reviews, listen to The Radio Times Podcast.
Authors
Alex RaisbeckGaming writer
Alex Raisbeck is a Gaming Writer at Radio Times, covering everything from AAA giants to indie gems. Alex has written for VideoGamer, GamesRadar+, PC Gamer, PCGamesN and more.
Ad
Ad
Get the Christmas double issue
Too much to watch at Christmas? Let Radio Times do the choosing to find something the whole family will enjoy.
Loading...
Ad
Loading...