Over the years, there have been some distinctive throwback games, but SpreadCheat appears to be setting itself apart in a league of its own. Games People Play and Rubarb are behind the upcoming puzzle title, which challenges players to use an Excel-like program to engage in a bit of financial fraud to meet their company's fiscal targets.
Games People Play describes SpreadCheat as capturing a 'retro Windows 3.11 setting,' although the character models and backgrounds evoke mid-'80s computer graphics. The player takes on the role of a newly hired employee tasked with 'cooking the books.' Essentially, players must create and manipulate spreadsheet data to make it appear as though the company is achieving its financial goals. In reality, this would be highly illegal, but within the game, it's all in good fun. One uncertainty is whether players can be caught and penalized by authorities for their financial misdeeds.
The game's pseudo-Excel program includes a version of Microsoft's Clippy, the infamously annoying virtual Office assistant. Perhaps this in-game Clippy will offer some actual assistance, which would be a refreshing twist. Games People Play has released a demo for SpreadCheat on Steam, and the title is available for wishlisting. The game is slated for a PC release in the first quarter of 2025.
Source link: https://www.gamespot.com
