As someone whose day job is as a Data Analyst, the first thing that comes to mind is… “Sam, you should really bring Excel home”. While this thought coming to mind would leave me wanting to bonk myself on the head, it appears that at least one video game developer is making that a reality.. in game form. SpreadCheat, developed by Norwegian indie studio Games People Play, will be released on 5 May 2025 via Steam, priced at $6.99 USD with a 20% launch discount. This retro-themed puzzle game blends corporate satire with nostalgic aesthetics, wrapping its challenges in a 1990s Windows 3.11 interface for what appears to be a distinctly unconventional puzzle experience.
Billed as the world’s only ’90s-themed Excel-style puzzle game, SpreadCheat tasks players with rising through the corporate ranks by solving increasingly difficult spreadsheet-based puzzles. Along the way, players will navigate absurd office antics under the watchful (and questionable) eye of a finance-obsessed boss straight out of the bro culture playbook.
Puzzles aside, the game features a range of side activities designed to mimic – and mock – 90s office life. These include fighting malware, organising cluttered desktops, salvaging chaotic PowerPoint presentations, and learning the subtle art of looking busy. All of this unfolds in a faithfully recreated Windows 3.11 environment, complete with MIDI soundtracks, 256-colour visuals, and Corpy – a Clippy-inspired assistant.
Key features of the game include:
- Cell Bending Puzzles: Solve a variety of maths and logic challenges through both the main story and daily puzzle offerings.
- Corporate Shenanigans: Navigate the fictional financial world of the 1990s, complete with questionable ethics and spreadsheet sabotage.
- Windows 3.1 Nostalgia: A full retro interface experience designed to capture the quirks and charm of the early desktop era.
- Dozens of Distractions: Engage in humorous minigames and office tasks that offer a break from the number-crunching.
While I scream at the thought of doing anything spreadsheet related at home… I also kinda want to check this one out.
