Monster Factory is a web series available in Polygon.com's official YouTube channel. The show is hosted by Griffin McElroy and his older brother Justin McElroy, Polygon's senior video producer and editor-at-large, respectively. The show's premise consists of both brothers opening character creation tools from several video and computer games and use their creations in-game as they cause all sorts of havoc.
Episodes Season Season 1 · 0/102 0/102 watched · 2015 S01E01 Randomly Generating Horrifying Faces in Dark Souls 2 2015-05-04 27m
In this pilot for a soon-to-be smash hit video franchise, Justin and Griffin create Squirtle using the character creation tools in Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin. more S01E02 Exploring Skyrim with Garfield 2015-05-12 22m
Griffin and Justin create a cybernetic Garfield and kill roughly two-hundred horses in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim in this installment of Monster Factory. more S01E03 Recreating a Beloved Sitcom in The Sims 4 2015-05-29 23m
Justin and Griffin turn their dark Monster Factory arts toward The Sims 4, and recreate a beloved television sitcom in the process. more S01E04 Prepping for Fallout 4 by Ruining Fallout 3 2015-06-04 19m
Fallout 3 is a really great game, so Justin and Griffin have decided to destroy it from within during this installment of Monster Factory. more S01E05 Failing to Clone The Rock in WWE 2K14 2015-06-29 22m
Justin and Griffin attempt to clone Rock "The Dwayne" Johnson, but spill a little big of Gogurt into the mix, birthing a Monster Factory creation they've lovingly named "The Pebble." more S01E06 Exploding Shepard's Face Bones in Mass Effect 2 2015-07-13 24m
Justin and Griffin rebuild Commander Truck Shepard into something non-human and non-killable when they take Mass Effect 2 into the Monster Factory. more S01E07 Dino-crime in Ark: Survival Evolved 2015-08-07 24m
In this episode of Monster Factory, Justin and Griffin try to solve a few dino-mysteries with the help of a time-traveling Angela Lansbury in Ark: Survival Evolved. more S01E08 The Boy-Mayor of Second Life 2015-09-11 23m
In this harrowing episode of Monster Factory, we shape a new dictator for Second Life out of some primordial ooze we found in a dumpster behind the Citgo. more S01E09 Surviving Bloodborne with a Gun-hating Toucan Man 2015-10-12 24m
In this installment of Monster Factory, Griffin and Justin abuse the character creation tools of Bloodborne and somehow end up with a human-bird hybrid who adheres to a strict anti-gun platform. more S01E10 Creating an Army of Banana-Men in Oblivion 2015-10-27 26m
Justin and Griffin create an army of beautiful banana men to fight against the noodly final boss of The Elder Scrolls: Oblivion in this episode of Monster Factory. more S01E11 Fallout 4 (1) 2015-11-12 34m
Griffin and Justin play around with Fallout 4, and incidentally create one of the most horrific creatures to ever roam the wasteland. more S01E12 Fallout 4 (2) 2015-11-25 23m
Having accepted her terrible losses in the last episode of Monster Factory, The Final Pam carves a path of destruction across the Commonwealth. Things get very, very, very violent. more S01E13 Fallout 4 (3) 2015-12-15 28m
The Monster Factory ballad of The Final Pam comes to a close as we quite literally destroy Fallout 4 from the inside out. more S01E14 Melting Bart Simpson in Black Desert Online 2016-01-14 25m
Griffin and Justin discover the beautiful, intricate character creation system of Black Desert Online, and, naturally, use it to produce a nightmarish version of a beloved cartoon character. more S01E15 Throwing Everyone in Dragon's Dogma Off a Cliff 2016-01-29 31m
Explore the world of Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen with a team of legendary heroes: All-Star pitcher Randy Johnson, a boy named Panpan, Elsa from the movie Frozen and TV's Dr. Phil. more S01E16 Horrors of All Shapes and Sizes in Blade & Soul 2016-02-11 27m
Griffin and Justin make a couple of Monster Factory children in the new MMO Blade & Soul, but end up getting completely shut down by Big Analog. more S01E17 What If Dark Souls Were Made of Pizza? 2016-03-07 31m
Justin and Griffin play through an absolutely ruined version of Dark Souls while role-playing as a pizza-destroying mascot. Please note that framerate hiccups are on our end, not yours. Because, like we said, this version of Dark Souls is sick. more S01E18 Recreating Ourselves in WWE 2K16 2016-03-29 32m
Justin and Griffin attempt to recreate themselves in WWE 2K16, but along the way, something goes horribly wrong. more S01E19 Making a Rowdy, Dirty Boy in Dark Souls 3 2016-04-15 26m
Griffin and Justin play Dark Souls 3 on launch day, create a rowdy, dirty boy version of The Joker, and then get absolutely manhandled by every enemy in the game. Welcome to Monster Factory! more S01E20 Second Life, Second Chances (1) 2016-05-16 23m
Welcome to Second Life, Second Chances, a three-week miniseries Monster Factory event, sponsored by Totino's. Can the Boy Mayor of Second Life reclaim his throne on the hard, hard campaign trail? Or will the endless march of Second Life sex clubs finally wear him down? more S01E21 Second Life, Second Chances (2) 2016-05-23 23m
The Boy-Mayor and his campaign manager, Totino's, do a quick makeover, then make some highly targeted appearances all across the wonderful world of Second Life. more S01E22 Second Life, Second Chances (3) 2016-05-31 21m
The day of reckoning is upon the Boy-Mayor of Second Life. It's Election Day, and we're honestly unsure whether Totino's and the Boy Mayor's actions have gained or lost them votes. Either way: We're going to throw the greatest party this video game has ever seen. more S01E23 Cosplayers and Leather Daddies in Soul Calibur 5 2016-06-24 28m
Can Mëlissa complete her nearly perfect Sly Cooper costume before the big con? Or will her attempts at cosplaying be thwarted by her nemesis, Leather Daddy Voldo? Find out in this installment of Monster Factory, featuring the character creation tools of Soul Calibur 5. more S01E24 Making a Golf All-Star in Tiger Woods '08 2016-07-08 31m
Now we're getting into our core competency: Being good at Golf. In this episode, we borrow the core facial structure of a late, great character actor, and then mold it into something dark and profane. Behold: DAZ. more S01E25 Stopping All of the Crimes in Saints Row: The Third 2016-07-22 32m
There is one thing you need to know about Trüllbus — this tough dude absolutely hates crime. He hates it nearly as much as he loves Dairy Queen, and boy, does he love Dairy Queen. more
S01E26 Creating The Sequel To Dogs in Spore 2016-08-09 22m
Look at your current household pet. What a sweetheart! Now, pick them up and put them in the garbage can. Because here at Monster Factory, we dream big. Why would you ever own a dog or cat or a fish or a bird when you could own ... a JAA'M? Thanks to Spore, that dream can be a reality. more
S01E27 Reviving The Shrek Franchise With Spore 2016-08-30 22m
We weren't anticipating our encounter with Spore to turn into the latest three-part Monster Factory saga, but here we are. The game is so rich with potential, but also so rich with game-ruining crashes and design problems that it makes it difficult to stick with any one creation. Hence our abandonment of the "Sequel to Dogs" project — our apologies, Jaa'm — and our migration to a new cause: The long-overdue revitalization of the Shrek intellectual property. more
S01E28 Building an Even Better Shrek in Spore 2016-10-07 22m
Justin and Griffin perfect their Shrek-like creation, and — thank God — bring their time in Spore to a close. more
S01E29 Training a Perfect Super-Athlete in Wii Sports Resort 2016-10-28 22m
Meet Turbovicki: Sports Champion, Ruthless Warrior and our latest Monster Factory creation. None can stand in her way on her quest for Wii Sports Resort domination — though a particular former vice president will try. more
S01E30 Turbovicki vs. The Foot Clan in Wii Sports Resort 2016-11-14 22m
In this, the second part of our exploration of Wii Sports Resort, Hyper-Athlete Turbovicki faces her greatest challenge yet: The endless hordes of the Cheney Foot Clan. more
S01E31 Saving the World One Knife at a Time in Champions Online 2017-01-13 22m
Knife Dad is not the hero that the world needs, but he is also not the hero the world deserves. It MIGHT be a stretch to call him a hero at all — he could be more accurately described as "a bunch of knives stuffed into a shirt." more
S01E32 Forming a Super Group With Knife Dad's Family 2017-01-27 22m
In the last episode, a legend was born — a legend made out of knives and, like, rat fur. But leveling up in an MMORPG takes too long, so in this episode we seek help from dozens of monstrous, heroic strangers. more
S01E33 Having a Nude Bonanza in Conan Exiles 2017-02-17 22m
Please do not tell on us to YouTube for this episode. We tried to hide every bepis that we saw, but we saw A LOT of them. more
S01E34 Flying Through Dragon Age Inquisition with a Slime DJ 2017-03-10 22m
WARNING: Individuals with photosensitive epilepsy should be advised that this video contains flashing lights and could be dangerous to those susceptible to seizures. Viewer discretion is advised. more
S01E35 Monster Factory Wrestling Federation: MONSTER MANIA 2017-04-02 22m
In this special episode, Eleven of Polygon's most dangerous monsters collide in the squared circle at Monster Mania. See friendships tested, rivalries unleashed, and barriers broken. This is the grandest stage-- the final confrontation. This is Monster Mania! more
S01E36 Sweeps Week Ep. 1: Improving Your Favorite TV Sitcoms 2017-04-07 22m
We're kicking off a new miniseries here in the Monster Factory! It's called Sweeps Week, and it's going to CHANGE THE FACE OF TELEVISION AS YOU KNOW IT. more
S01E37 Sweeps Week Ep. 2: Making Full House Too Full 2017-05-05 22m
In the second episode of Monster Factory "Sweeps Week", Griffin and Justin play a fun game with the Full House family and make Dharma and Greg pay the blood price. more
S01E38 Sweeps Week Ep. 3: Boba Fett Hates Raymond 2017-05-19 22m
"Everybody Loves Raymond"? Not Boba Fett, he HATES HIM. Featuring the cast from the OC. more
S01E39 Sweeps Week Ep. 4: Todd Coolbody's Sitcom Spectacular 2017-06-02 22m
In the conclusion of Monster Factory Sweeps Week, television exec Todd Coolbody wraps up his streak of improving all the classic sitcoms you know and love. And Family Guy. more
S01E40 Cid Finalfantasy’s Cat Man Quest 2017-06-30 22m
Griffin and Justin create a sad brain man who yearns to be a cat man. more
S01E41 Stang Is Totally Not Sting Trying To Play Basketball 2017-08-18 22m
Griffin and Justin play some b-ball with Stang, who is absolutely not Sting in a disguise. more
S01E42 Just Like Art: The Pink Man 2017-09-13 22m
Welcome to Monster Factory: Just Like Art, a new series where we push Skyrim's character customization to the limit in an attempt to create genuine, gallery-worthy masterpieces. more
S01E43 Making a SWEET ALIEN BOY in Everybody's Golf 2017-09-15 22m
Griffin and Justin try to teach a small alien boy how to play golf in a respectable way. more
S01E44 Just Like Art: Chomp Mom 2017-09-20 22m
Welcome to the second episode of Monster Factory: Just Like Art, a series where we push Skyrim's character customization to the limit in an attempt to create genuine, gallery-worthy masterpieces. This week, we learned two very valuable lessons: a) art isn't always beautiful, and b) motherhood is its own reward. more
S01E45 Just Like Art: Jerry Potter 2017-09-27 22m
Welcome to the third installment of Monster Factory: Just Like Art, a series where we push Skyrim's character customization to the limit in an attempt to create genuine, gallery-worthy masterpieces. more
S01E46 Just Like Art: Snakel from Frands 2017-10-11 22m
What's the one thing that could make Skyrim better? Recreating one of the most popular '90s sitcoms inside of it. Ladies and gentlemen, meet Snakel from Frands. more
S01E47 Just Like Art: The Real Boogerman 2017-10-18 22m
In the final episode of Monster Factory: Just Like Art, Griffin and Justin give themselves an easy task: creating the most powerful and poignant work of art in the history of mankind. more
S01E48 Tony Hawk???? The Skateboarding Flat Man 2017-10-20 22m
On the latest episode of Monster Factory, Griffin and Justin make a rebellious, long-armed skateboarder whose three dimensions are seriously in question. more
S01E49 Zeke Teenweed Takes Us To Fart School 2017-11-03 22m
Zeke Teenweed is just your typical teen. He loves skateboarding, drawing Shrek graffiti, and not being an undercover cop. more
S01E50 Adult Cool Needs More Hats 2017-12-08 22m
Griffin and Justin's galactic adventure with Adult Cool is just getting started. more
S01E51 Adult Cool's Powerful Kicks Are Unstoppable 2017-12-15 22m
Griffin and Justin take Adult Cool on a galactic kicking adventure in part two of their Phantasy Star Online 2 extravaganza. more
S01E52 Arby "The Meathead" McDonald Is Back in the Ring 2018-02-02 22m
It's been a while since Arby "The Meathead" McDonald donned his wizard shirt and stepped in the ring. So maybe it's high time Griffin, Justin, and special guest Wrestling Expert Patrick Gill bring Arby's famous tooth out of retirement. more
S01E53 Arby McDonald Dearly Loves His Sons 2018-02-23 22m
Griffin and Pat get Arby ready for his first match by spending entirely too much time on his intro. Still worth it. more
S01E54 Arby's True Nemesis is Revealed 2018-03-09 22m
Alliances are broken. Enemies become friends. Will Arby be able to pull off his special finisher? All that and more on the exciting conclusion of Arby "The Meathead" McDonald's epic trilogy. more
S01E55 Halo 666 Finishes the Fight 2018-04-13 22m
Monster Hunter: World is so metal and it doesn't even know it. more
S01E56 Dr. Sexgun's Menagerie of Deadly Secrets 2018-12-05 22m
The boys are back in town, baby! Gather the children 'round, cause this new hidden object game is guaranteed to be fun for the whole family. more
S01E57 Dr. Sexgun is back with a brand new invention 2019-01-02 22m
If you thought you'd seen the last of Dr. Sexgun and his clandestine cache of audacious armaments, think again. more
S01E58 Jim "Captain Cool" Johnman's Don Bradman Cricket 14 2019-02-06 22m
Donny, you're out of your element. more
S01E59 Jim Johnman is playing baseball in Don Bradman Cricket 14 2019-03-06 22m
At long last, it's Jim Johnman's turn at bat. And also pitching. And also refereeing. more
S01E60 Freddy "Slimeburger" Jr. emerges from Vault 76 2019-04-03 22m
On this episode of Monster Factory, the brothers try very hard to create a character in Fallout 76 despite Todd's best efforts. more
S01E61 Nothing will stop Slime Burger from going to Camden Park 2019-05-01 22m
Slime Burger goes on a journey through Todd's twisted vision of West Virginia in search of legendary Camden Park in Fallout 76. more
S01E62 Tammy Radbody loves tree beef 2019-06-05 22m
A wise forest elf, Tammy Radbody always knows the best places to find river Skittles. more
S01E63 Tammy Radbody will absolutely set a forest on fire 2019-07-03 22m
Tammy Radbody may be a protector of the forest, but she'll totally start a forest fire for a new dress and some baguettes. more
S01E64 Yoba Skywalker Starwars goes to infinity and beyond 2019-08-07 22m
Boldly going where no forehead has gone before. more
S01E65 The search for Yoba Skywalker Starwars' cool outfit 2019-09-05 22m
Yoba Skywalker Starwars has a killer outfit, but Starfleet is making him wear nerd armor. Where did his sick fashions get too? THE SEARCH IS ON! more
S01E66 Invite your friends to the inescapable world of Avakin life 2019-10-16 22m
You're losing money by NOT signing up, come on! more
S01E67 Finding the video game in Avakin Life 2019-11-06 22m
Avakin Life let's you do a lot of things, but is there a video game in there? Join your friend Nanci Budin 73 as we found out! more
S01E68 Snack Braff is Zach Braff if he'd just commit to going to the gym an hour a day 2019-12-04 22m
Zachary "Zack Boy Bradley" i.e. SNACK BRAFF is really just Zach Braff if only he'd just get off his duff and commit to going a little harder at the gym in 2020. more
S01E69 Sweet Gene can have little a revenge, for Snack 2020-01-15 22m
We gather here today in memory of Snack "Zachary Zach Boy Bradley" Braff, not to mourn, but to celebrate his brief but exceptional life, and in his memory raise a bright new star, burning with revenge for Snack. more
S01E70 The one where they actually play WWE2K20 2020-02-16 22m
Well, it's come to this. Griffin and Justin are actually going to do the unthinkable and play WWE2K20. more
S01E71 Creating a seriously scary vampire in Code Vein 2020-03-11 22m
Don't talk to me or my vampire son ever again! more
S01E72 Exploiting the gig economy in Code Vein 2020-04-08 22m
Dugls n’ Richard are adventuring with their friends, fighting weird slime boys and hunting for that magical elixir we all crave, Awake MJ018. more
S01E73 Making a physical manifestation of the word ‘meh’ in Dark Souls 3 2020-05-20 22m
Yep, let's go into battle. *long sigh* See you guys in the adventure. more
S01E74 Pushing Dark Souls 3 EXTREME EDITION to the limit 2020-07-08 22m
He might have to become large, indestructible, and turn all his enemies into barrel, but dang it, Hungry-Faced Gil is going to beat Dark Souls 3 EXTREME EDITION. more
S01E75 Can Gil forge a sword big enough to kill God? 2020-08-19 22m
Can glitches and crashes prevent Gil from beating Dark Souls 3 EXTREME EDITION? Unfortunately the answer is yes, but there's still a lot of fun to be had along the way! more
S01E76 Crafting a monster in Woodworking Simulator 2020-09-30 22m
Monster Factory is de-industrializing and making a bespoke, handcrafted monster for a change. more
S01E77 jIM jELLY is doing gymnastics their way 2020-10-28 22m
jIM jELLY likes two things: Buffalo Wilds Wings and completely re-writing the rules of gymnastics... and jIM's all out of wings. more
S01E78 Ronnie Faeburger is a fresh take on Ronald McDonald 2020-12-16 22m
The first NEXT GEN Monster Factory fully utilizes the power of the PS5 to create an updated version of McDonald's burger clown. more
S01E79 Creating a baby monster in Crusader Kings 3 2021-01-27 22m
In a Monster Factory first, the boys create a monster that's zero years old: a baby king that everyone hates. Huzzah! more
S01E80 Making Whoville's Anti-Grinch Guardian in Elden Ring 2022-03-25 25m
Monster Factory is back! We’ve got a fistful of boiled prawns and we’re diving into the world of Elden Ring to see if we can answer the age-old question, “What if a Who kicked ass?” more
S01E81 Humdinger The Grinch Hunter WILL find the Elden Ring 2022-04-20 22m
The Humdinger returns. He’s shirtless and ready to hunt Grinches, collect fingers, and snack on his beloved prawns. more
S01E82 Saving the Avatar franchise with Chimeraland 2022-11-09 28m
Someone call Jimmy Cams - we used Chimeraland to make a new version of Avatar 2 starring Uncleberry, the uber-sexy sharkman made exclusively of fins. more
S01E83 Uncleberry dabbles in the dark cuisine in Chimeraland 2022-12-07 25m
Join Uncleberry as he tackles Chimeraland’s many fantastical challenges, like cleaning, cooking, caring for pets, and playing video games! Try to kill a 500 year-old demigod, learn the importance of following the recipe, and unwind with some aspirational home decor programming. It’s Chimeraland! more
S01E84 Creating a Beefy Prince in Street Fighter 6 2023-07-05 25m
Lower body? Check. Pudding fist? Check. Turbo cupping scars? Also a check. We used only the most powerful shapes to build this ass-kicking prince, and he’s gonna give Prince Friday what for. more
S01E85 Unleashing Prince Legday on Metro City 2023-08-02 22m
Prince Legday hits the streets, putting pros, death robots, and lit majors alike to sleep, in hopes of getting enough sweet sweet cash to step up his fashion with some truly haute couture looks. more
S01E86 Creating a Toothsome Warrior in Starfield 2023-03-06 20m
Toddddddd, we fixed your game – you’re so welcome. Just jammed in a whole buncha extra sliders for our own personal uses, so we can create the twisted villain of a man we needed. You know how it is. more
S01E87 Molar Mike da Wisdom Toot Takes to the Skies in Starfield 2024-03-20 22m
He’s here to fight tooth decay but he’s not above taking a little cereal treat for himself when he can find one. Everyone needs little treats sometimes, you know? more
S01E88 McElroy Family Clubhouse: Monster Factory LIVE! 2024-10-22 58m
This week in the Clubhouse we have a VERY exciting announcement for you all, followed by a never-before-seen live look inside the Factory. more
S01E89 It's an Any% Killford Speedrun In Dragon's Dogma 2 2024-10-23 30m
Despite Capcom's efforts to the contrary, we're kicking off a new season of Monster Factory with some pro strats and manips to speedrun building our new friend Killford in Dragon's Dogma. more
S01E90 Recruiting the Perfect Pupating Gorge Washin in Dragon's Dogma 2 2024-10-30 31m
Killford is preparing for his quest by recruiting the perfect squad: our pupating lord Gorge Washin, the teacher's pet Speical Boy, and the ever-judgemental Dr. Hotdog. Surely they'll find something productive to do other than throwing people to the brine eels. more
S01E91 Discovering Eco-Friendly Combat Strategies in Dragon's Dogma 2 2024-11-06 29m
Killford and the gang rely on the kindness of strangers as they head into the questionable frame rates of scenic Vermund and take on a foolproof plan for regicide that may in fact be a little foolish. more
S01E92 Ripping Huge, Healthy Cotton With Nutricia in Wo Long 2024-11-13 22m
Our newest creation is bringing a real Lord Farquaad silhouette and a new non-nicotine, non-branded, nutrient-rich, cool-for-kids vape product. It’s definitely not a pyramid scheme. more
S01E93 Becoming a Girlboss Vape Wizard in Wo Long 2024-11-20 25m
The Vita-Vape CEO is back and she’s out to spread the good word of her powerful, nutritious vapes. The marketing strategy is a little heavy on the violence, we’ll admit, but there are also free samples! more
S01E94 Crafting a Man-Park in Indoorlands 2024-11-27 23m
This time around, Justin is in the driver’s seat. He’s taking big swings and asking big questions like, “What if the man is a park?” or “Where can you go if you want to get wet AND you want to prove the existence of ghosts and aliens?” more
S01E95 Searching for the heart of the Man-Park in Indoorlands 2024-12-04 22m
Come for the super sloppy meditation experience, toilet toes, and Sprute’s drink it al, stay for the kid-friendly greasy prices and the horridor. more
S01E96 Bringing Peter Point to life 2024-12-11 25m
Justin’s inadvertent love affair with fences continues as the boys construct a coaster that swiftly reaches into the realm of non-euclidean existence, and discover the face of their monster at last. more
S01E97 The Return of Pam 2025-11-12 25m
Ten years ago we left her in a watery pocket dimension. Today, The Final Pam returns to see what, if anything, can be salvaged of her Sanctuary. more
S01E98 Where's the Action? Where's the Game? 2025-11-19 25m
Pam is back and facing her greatest challenge yet: finding an actual completable quest on the critical path. more
S01E99 Mission: Adult Fatherson 2025-11-26 20m
Pam grapples with her morality as she continues on her mission, and faces an unexpected conflict with Justin and Griffin’s actual responsibilities as fathers. more
S01E100 Pam's Last Dance 2025-12-03 24m
It’s the final installment of Pam’s redemption mission. Can she beat the game and earn the approval of Adult Fatherson at last? Will Todd succeed in his quest to thwart our efforts to see the final cutscene? And what will happen to our beloved large Dean? The only way out is through. more
S01E101 Monster Factory LIVE: Tomodachi Life 2026-04-30 73m
Griffin and Justin are clocking in for a shift in everyone’s new favorite game, Tomodachi Life (sorry, Pokopia). Join them as they test the limits of creation, and then set their newfound angel free. more
S01E102 The Ballad of Chad McLean 2026-08-26 28m
Our first-ever Monster Factory biopic about a fictional man inspired by the concept of a real person, meet everyone’s favorite north-paw street bowler, Chad McLean. more 
