My Talking Tom Friends
 | This article contains promotional content. (June 2026) |
| My Talking Tom Friends | |
|---|---|
 Game icon for My Talking Tom Friends | |
| Developer | Outfit7 Limited |
| Publisher | Outfit7 Limited |
| Engine | Unity |
| Platforms | |
| Release | June 12, 2020 |
| Genres | Virtual pet, simulation game |
| Mode | Single-player |
My Talking Tom Friends is a free-to-play 2020 virtual pet simulation video game developed and published by Outfit7 for mobile devices. It is part of the Talking Tom & Friends franchise, and places the six main characters in an interactive "sandbox" household.[1] The game was soft-launched in February 2020,[2] before receiving a full release on Android and iOS on June 12, 2020.[3] A version for the Amazon Appstore followed on April 20, 2021, and one for Android Automotive on May 5, 2023.[4][5] The game has received generally favorable reviews from users[6][7][8][9] and has been downloaded over 1,9 billion times.[10] In 2024 the game received its sequel called My Talking Tom Friends 2.
History
[edit]Development
[edit]Development of My Talking Tom Friends began with early gameplay and art concepts in mid-2018, followed by a formal concept phase later that year and roughly one year of production. The core team consisted of around 50 people, with additional contributions from across the company.
The game was shaped by iterative design insights from earlier titles in the Talking Tom & Friends franchise, particularly the improvements in character interaction and the more dynamic environments introduced in My Talking Tom 2. This helped establish systems for multi-character gameplay.
A major technical and design challenge was creating a unified behavior system for six characters that could act autonomously while still responding to player input. The final system used flexible parameter-based design tools to manage interactions and emergent behaviors.[11]
Post-release
[edit]In 2024, the game was featured in the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Green Game Jam. The "in-game activation" allowed players to earn organic fertiliser and garden seeds by cleaning up garbage around the house, which could then be used to grow vegetables in the game's garden.[12]
In August, 2025, an ad-free version of My Talking Tom Friends+ was released on Apple Arcade. This version removed advertisements and in-app purchases in line with Apple Arcade's subscription-based model. Players can access mini-games, care for their pets, and explore.[13][14]
Gameplay
[edit]My Talking Tom Friends is a combination of a pet simulator game and a life simulation game. The characters Talking Tom, Talking Angela, Talking Hank, Talking Becca, Talking Ben, and Talking Ginger all live together in the same house.[15] The player must take care of them by fulfilling their daily needs, such as feeding, washing, sleeping, and having fun. One way to have fun is to play a game from the collection of mini-games included. The player can also customize the characters’ outfits, as well as the furniture and decor of the house.[16][17]
The in-game house features a backyard (with pool, tree house, and sandbox), a sleeping area, a living space, a dining area, a kitchen, a bathroom, and a front yard with a vegetable patch and a bus stop. Each area has various elements for the characters and player to interact with.[18][19]
At any time, the characters can take a bus ride to the town, where the player selects one of a selection of themed locations for them to explore (a mall, a school, and a health center). Each location features various interactive elements and items that can be purchased using in-game gold coins.[20]
Various other new or temporary features and activities are introduced in game updates and events, like the recent bus trip feature.[21][22][23][24]
Reception
[edit]Prior to launch, My Talking Tom Friends achieved 13 million pre-registrations.[25][26] Upon its global release, it reached the top of the free Android and iOS charts in 40 countries within five days[27] accumulating 22 million downloads in its first week[28][29] and a 100 million whithin a month.[30][31] According to Pocket Gamer, the game was among the most downloaded mobile games in July 2020.[32] Total downloads have since exceeded 1,9 billion.[10]
Kotaku called My Talking Tom Friends "a revolution in virtual pet simulation",[33] while Gamezebo described it as "a mix of Big Brother and a Tamagotchi."[34] In a preview, Pocket Gamer noted the game's expanded scope compared to its predecessors, focusing on character animations and the variety of available mini-games.[35]
As of 2026, My Talking Tom Friends holds a user rating of approximately 4.4 out of 5 stars on Google Play[8] and 4.4 out of 5 stars on the Apple App Store.[9]
References
[edit]- ↑ published, TechRadar India Bureau (2020-06-12). "Outfit7 announces virtual pet game with Talking Tom and Friends - global launch today". TechRadar. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends Release Information for Android - GameFAQs". gamefaqs.gamespot.com. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ Takahashi, Dean (2020-06-11). "My Talking Tom Friends debuts on mobile because 13 billion downloads isn't enough". GamesBeat. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ "Outfit7 collaborates with Google to bring My Talking Tom Friends as an in-car gaming experience - Video Game News - GameFAQs". gamefaqs.gamespot.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Orr, Ed (2023-05-26). "Keep The Kids This Weekend as Talking Tom Loads onto Google in Car Gaming". GameSpace.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Top Mobile Games Worldwide for July 2020 by Downloads". sensortower.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends crosses 22M downloads in 6 days! | Games Industry Network | Türkiye, Europe, MENA & Asia". 2020-06-17. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- 1 2 "My Talking Tom Friends - Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- 1 2 "My Talking Tom Friends App". App Store. 2020-07-27. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- 1 2 Ghiurca, Andreea (2026-05-14). "My Talking Tom Friends lets you explore the school, the hospital, and the mall with expanded Bus Trip feature". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved 2026-06-23.
- ↑ Staff, PocketGamer biz (2020-06-12). "Interview: How Outfit7 started a virtual pet revolution with its new game". www.pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Playing for the Planet". www.playing4theplanet.org. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Apple Arcade exclusive NFL Retro Bowl '26 launching September 4". Apple Newsroom. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Apple Arcade adds NFL Retro Bowl '26, Jeopardy! Daily and My Talking Tom Friends+ this September - BusinessToday". Business Today. 2025-08-13. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Talking Tom (2020-05-28). 🏡🎮 My Talking Tom Friends is Here! 🎮🏡 NEW GAME (Available Worldwide). Retrieved 2026-06-17 – via YouTube.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends Reviews - Metacritic". www.metacritic.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends". mytalkingtomfriends.com. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends review - purr-fectly charming". Pocket Tactics. 2020-06-16. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends | Fun Virtual Pet Game for the Whole Family". talkingtomandfriends.com. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends Reimagines the Bus Trip as a Free-Exploration World". markets.businessinsider.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Roberts, Carl (2026-05-14). "My Talking Tom Friends: Exciting New Update". Future of the Force. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ "Best Friends Day in My Talking Tom Friends!". outfit7.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends – Apps on Google Play". play.google.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Limited Edition Stickers Available Now in My Talking Tom Friends. Collect them all!". Games Press. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Talking Tom Friends app makes debut on Android and iOS". The Times of India. 2020-06-12. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Team, AnimationXpress (2020-06-12). "'My Talking Tom Friends' records 13 million pre-registrations and now available to download worldwide". Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Sarkany, Adrienn (2025-07-22). "My Talking Tom Friends 2 Hits Over 6 Million Downloads in One Week!". News, Events, Advertising Options. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ Partleton, Kayleigh (2020-06-17). "Update: Outfit7 reveals My Talking Tom Friends hit 22 million downloads six days after launch". www.pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Partleton, Kayleigh (2020-06-17). "Update: Outfit7 reveals My Talking Tom Friends hit 22 million downloads six days after launch". www.pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ Partleton, Kayleigh (2020-07-20). "My Talking Tom Friends hits 100 million downloads as the franchise celebrates its 10th anniversary". www.pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "Following Summer Game Fest, Gothic Remake is the standout new release in June 2026". PCGamesN. 2026-06-19. Retrieved 2026-06-22.
- ↑ Partleton, Kayleigh (2020-08-13). "My Talking Tom Friends was the most downloaded mobile game for July 2020". www.pocketgamer.biz. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ "My Talking Tom Friends". Kotaku. 2020-08-06. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ Slater, Harry (2020-06-12). "My Talking Tom Friends Guide - Hints, Tips and Tricks for Beginners". Gamezebo. Retrieved 2026-06-17.
- ↑ staff, Pocket Gamer (2020-06-17). "Preview: Our first impressions of My Talking Tom Friends, out now for iOS and Android". www.pocketgamer.com. Retrieved 2026-06-17.