Pou (video game)

Pou (/puː/ or /poʊ/) is a 2012 virtual pet mobile game for BlackBerry 10, iOS and Android developed by Lebanese designer Paul Salameh and published under the name Zakeh Limited to the Google Play Store and the Apple App Store. The game plays similarly to Tamagotchi, a fad game that requires caring for a simulated creature.^[1][2] It was one of the most downloaded games of 2014.^[3]

Pou
A screenshot of the home page
Developer(s)	Paul Salameh
Publisher(s)	Paul Salameh
Engine	Stencyl
Platform(s)	Android, iOS, BlackBerry 10
Release	August 5, 2012
Genre(s)	Virtual pet
Mode(s)	Single-player multiplayer

The creator, Paul Salameh, mentioned during an interview that "People really got strongly attached to their Pou, they found it cute. I saw people who tattooed it on their hands."^[4] While Salameh did not comment on download numbers, the game was estimated to have reached 100 million downloads across platforms.^[4]

In 2024, Pou made a resurgence on TikTok, appearing in videos where plushies of the character are placed into dangerous situations.^[5]

Gameplay

The gameplay is similar to Tamagotchi and other pet caring games. The player has to feed, dress and care for the creature, with the option of dressing it with several cosmetic items.^[6]