QWOP Summary
QWOP is the web-based ragdoll physics running simulator released first as a web game and then on mobile devices. The title was developed by Bennett Foddy for his website Foddy.net. After teaching himself to program games while working on his dissertation, Foddy released QWOP to almost immediate success. The title generated more than 30 million hits to Foddy.net as a result of QWOP becoming a meme. The title is a deceptively simple running game where players use the Q, W, O, and P keys to control the legs of a runner.
One of the things players find most entertaining about QWOP is its use of ragdoll physics, often resulting in hilarious failure states when players make mistakes. After its release in 2010, QWOP featured at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City as part of an exhibit on video games and pop culture. The game also appears in an episode of Season 9 of The Office.
Originally releasing in 2010 as a web browser game on PC and Mac, QWOP received an iOS and Android port in 2011. The mobile versions of the game are notoriously difficult, requiring players to rely on touch controls rather than the keyboard control scheme from which the game receives its name.
QWOP Premise
Players assume the role of an Olympic Athlete named “Qwop” who is participating in the 100-meter dash. Using only the Q, W, O, and P keys, players control the runner’s legs to propel them forward while also trying to prevent falling. The Q and W keys are responsible for controlling the runner’s thighs and the O and P keys control the calves. The Q key moves the right thigh forward and left thigh backward, with the W key doing the opposite. The O key moves the right calf forward and left cald backward, with the P key also doing the opposite.
Although the premise of QWOP is simple, the limited controls and realistic physics make it notoriously difficult. The movement of the runner is affected by a complex physics engine with movement of the calves and thighs affected by simulated gravity and inertia. To date, the record holder for the game completed the 100-meter dash in 51 seconds. Many players have never made it more than just a few meters.
QWOP Main Characters
QWOP is simplistic by design, even though the gameplay can present as being quite complex. Although the game takes place at the Olympics, only one character is present. This results in QWOP having a singular focus on one figure, the main character. The main characters in QWOP include:
- Qwop: Qwop is the player-controlled runner from a non-descript country participating in the olympics. He is of ambiguous ethnic origin and wears a red runner’s suit with white trim. Failing to control Qwop effectively results in hilarious and apparently painful falls for the character.
Games in the QWOP Series
Since the development and success of QWOP, Bennett Foddy has developed two separate sequels to the influential running game. The games in the QWOP series include:
- QWOP (2010)
- GIRP (2011)
- CLOP (2012)
QWOP Cheats
Due to its reputation as one of the hardest games ever made, many players might find themselves wondering if there are cheats for QWOP. While there are not any enterable cheats that are supported directly by the game, there are some hacks available as well as tricks players can use to perform better as Qwop. This positions the title alongside other web browser and mobile games that usually do not feature any sort of officially supported cheats. The simplistic gameplay is intended to be enjoyed by a mass audience, but QWOP is a very different kind of web and mobile title that prides itself on its obtuse difficulty and steep learning curve.
Quickly Recover
Players will regularly fall in QWOP due to its realistic physics and deceptively simple control scheme. As a result, players will need to figure out a way to quickly return to their feet. This can be accomplished by holding down the E key.
The “Scoot of Shame”
The infamous “Scoot of Shame” is an easy hack for playing QWOP that allows players to complete the 100-meter dash with near guaranteed success. At the beginning of the race, hold the W and P keys and then repeatedly tap Q. This will move the player in such a way that it’s nearly impossible for them to fall over.
QWOP Cheat FAQs
What is the trick for running using Qwop?
The best thing to do is envision the keys as individual muscles and press keys together to move the player forward. In that sense, players can combine “combos” of keys to move forward and avoid falling. A left stride requires pressing Q+P and a right stride would use W+O pressed together. alternating these combinations should result in a motion similar to natural running.