Within these forums, users typically engage in the following types of threads:
Growth requires "Mass Energy" found in the world. You’ll have to decide whether to stay big and powerful or conserve energy by staying small and stealthy.
I’ve been tinkering with a new concept for a text-based encounter and wanted to get some feedback from the community. View forum - Growth and Shrink Games
At first glance, it sounds like a technical error or a broken hyperlink. But to insiders, this phrase represents a gateway to one of the most unique, creative, and psychologically intriguing genres of user-generated content on the web. In this long-form article, we will dissect exactly what this keyword means, why dedicated forums are the beating heart of the movement, and how both “growth” and “shrink” games have evolved from obscure fetish content into a legitimate form of experimental interactive fiction.
These games often feature sandbox elements, allowing players to simulate the consequences of being giant or tiny, often with comical results. Within these forums, users typically engage in the
Fast-paced games where quick shrinking or growing is necessary to survive or progress. The Appeal of the Community
When you finally click that link (or search for it directly), what should you expect to find? A healthy forum board is typically structured into the following sub-categories: At first glance, it sounds like a technical
: Exploring themes of empowerment or vulnerability through drastic scale shifts.
Forums are also the birthplace of new ideas and mods. A thread on a game design forum discusses needing an object to "grow, or optionally to shrink" to a certain scale, seeking community input on how to implement such a feature. Another user on Itch.io, commenting on a "Growth RPG," proposed a new mechanic where shrinking could cause other stats to grow, or where different body parts could grow independently. This collaborative atmosphere pushes the boundaries of what's possible in the genre.
While much of the community operates in the indie underground, the mechanics discussed on these forums mirror several mainstream and cult-classic titles:
A giant shouldn't move with the same agility as an ant. Forums often host deep physics debates regarding mass, gravity, and velocity. Capturing the "weight" of a giant character requires tweaking acceleration curves and screen-shake effects, while small characters require friction adjustments so they don't slide across household surfaces like ice. Asset Density and Detail
