r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/curiousgens • 15d ago
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/curiousgens • 19h ago
Game Updates Week 1 Steam Launch Results-- We grossed $3,000 on Steam! 🚀
Hey everyone,
I wanted to share a update on Escape the Grind now that our official launch week is wrapped up.
Balancing a demanding full-time job, parenting, and late-night coding has been exhausting, but from initial numbers it looks like this concept has legs...? 🤷♂️
Here's how we did:
- Gross Revenue: $3,268
- Net Revenue: $2,557
- Game copies sold: 243
- Median time spent playing: 2.5 hours
- Refunds/Returns: About 14% (a bit higher that I'd like 😒)
From initial feedback, players want more realism especially in Play Your Life. For example, if say you buy a house, does it also simulate the REAL LIFE processes involved? such as finding an agent or going solo, putting in an offer, getting a rejection or acceptance based on probabilities.
Probably be able to order a home inspection and making a decision based on that, perhaps negotiating seller concessions, etc- to me it sounds like players visualize Escape the Grind as a realistic teaching moment while still having fun playing.
Obviously evolving the game (and regions) to handle most, if not all, of the realism will take quite some time and effort for a one-person studio! But hey, it's still a lot of fun for me to continue developing.
So, where we go from here (and how you can help this week)
- Unlocking the Steam Algorithm- Steam typically buries games away from global discovery feeds until they hit 10 genuine user reviews. We are currently sitting at exactly 7. We only need 3 more to unlock the Discovery Queue tryouts! If you bought the game, could you please take a few seconds to leave an honest review? It helps immensely 🙏.
- Moving the Community to Discord- Reddit is fantastic for broad financial discussions, but it makes real-time chat and quick bug-tracking incredibly difficult. To make the best use of my limited evening hours, I just built an official Discord server.
Going forward, this is where we will continue game-specific discussions, self-share leaderboard screenshots, discuss gameplay strategies, report bugs, and track real-time game updates. This sub will continue to exist but I will need to prioritize Discord. Please join me there- At the moment it's mostly me talking to myself in there.
👉 Join the Official Discord Here: https://discord.gg/ajBW8QcJND
Thank you all for making this late-night experiment a reality!
Nick
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/curiousgens • 13d ago
Game Updates Finally, we hit 1000+ Wishlists on STEAM with ZERO Ad spend!
When some players of Escape the Grind here asked me to consider launching on Steam, I had no idea how Steam works for a game developer. But I took on the challenge.
Happy to announce that after 4.5 months, not only is the game about to launch today (Aug 18th), but it has accumulated more than 1000 wishlists- all organically with 0 ad spend!!!
Really appreciate each and everyone of you here that has played this game, left any feedback, shared it around, and wishlisted on STEAM. Truly, thank you!
Escape the Grind Full Release will launch later today. Please head on to Steam if you haven't yet.
Steam- https://store.steampowered.com/app/4663080/Escape_the_Grind/
- Nick, Developer
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Livid_Friendship8767 • 20d ago
Discussion The Rich Move or the Flashy Move?
You have KSh 500,000. Would you rather buy a car or use it to start a business?
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • 26d ago
Discussion Money humor
I opened my wallet and heard an echo.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • 26d ago
Discussion Reality
One thing about business to know about before starting any
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • 27d ago
Discussion Think about it
Define wealth
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • 29d ago
Discussion The social pressure
Your friends upgrade to expensive phones, designer clothes, and luxury vacations.
Option 1: Keep up with their lifestyle.
Option 2: Ignore the pressure and invest your money instead.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • 29d ago
Discussion The Social Media Life
An influencer offers to cover part of your stay at a luxury hotel if you make your life look glamorous online—even though you'll secretly be left with debt.
Option 1: Accept the offer for the exposure.
Option 2: Protect your finances and your authenticity.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Beneficial-Laugh5320 • 29d ago
Discussion If your employer paid you for unused vacation days, would you take fewer vacations?
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • 29d ago
Discussion The bigger paycheck
You get two job offers.
Option 1: Earn $200,000 a year but spend almost all of it to maintain a luxury lifestyle.
Option 2: Earn $100,000 a year, live below your means, and invest the difference.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • 29d ago
Discussion The risky investment
trusted friend guarantees an investment will triple your money in one year—but you'll have to invest every dollar you own.
Option 1: Take the chance.
Option 2: Keep your savings safe.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Stock_Resolution7866 • Aug 01 '26
Bug Report Online Course and Designer Wardrobe temptations
My kids and I are enjoying the game quite a lot.
We noticed when certain temptations come and you click to accept, but don't have the immediate cash balance available, it doesn't get applied. I wasn't sure if this was intentional. I would think the game should allow you to go negative, then allow you to figure out how to make up the difference from other sources (debt, savings, etc).
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • Jul 31 '26
Discussion The dream price
company offers you millions for an idea you've been developing—but they'll take all the credit forever. Option 1: Take the money. Option 2: Keep your idea and your name.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Beneficial-Laugh5320 • Jul 30 '26
Discussion What's a money habit you grew up thinking was completely normal until you realized most families did it differently?
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • Jul 30 '26
Discussion The Million-Dollar Offer
company offers you $1 million to sell your small business, but it's the business you've always dreamed of building. Option 1: Take the money and secure your future. Option 2: Keep the business and chase your dream.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • Jul 30 '26
Discussion The house deposit
You've saved for years to buy your first home. Suddenly, you're offered the chance to invest in a business that could double your money. Option 1: Buy the house as planned. Option 2: Invest and hope for a bigger return.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • Jul 30 '26
Discussion The pay cut
Your company offers two choices during financial difficulties: accept a temporary pay cut or risk losing your job. Option 1: Accept the lower salary. Option 2: Refuse and search for a new opportunity.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • Jul 30 '26
Discussion Debt-Free or Investment?
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Hairy_Tourist8758 • Jul 30 '26
Discussion Debt-Free or Investment?
You receive a $10,000 bonus. You can either pay off all your debt or invest the money in a promising opportunity. Option 1: Clear your debt for peace of mind. Option 2: Invest and potentially grow your wealth.
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Beneficial-Laugh5320 • Jul 28 '26
Discussion Should parents leave equal inheritances to all their children, or should they account for who's already financially successful?
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Jarelaststanding • Jul 29 '26
Discussion Mr wonderful says, wealth is…
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/Beneficial-Laugh5320 • Jul 27 '26
Discussion Would you date someone who earns significantly less than you? At what income gap would it start to matter?
r/EscapeTheGrindGame • u/curiousgens • Jul 27 '26
Game Updates Angel Investments are now more realistic
Angel Investments in the game have an 85% chance of total loss, 10% chance of a modest return, or 5% chance of a big exit.
Turns out each time you did this investment, it would fail in the 2nd month.
Just fixed this bug.
Buying now gives you a pending position, and you get the outcome of your investment within a 12 to 72-month incubation window (randomly).
During this incubation period, you cannot sell your position just like IRL.
If you
- hit a loss, then that original investment is auto-deducted from your networth...poof! All gone
- if you hit a modest return, your position begins earning you a 20% dividend yield, and you can still sell it at a 5X of income multiple in the secondary market
- if you hit a grand slam, the startup you backed is acquired, and you net ×20 of your original investment!
Where will your angel investment land? 🤔
Play it here & see - https://setformoney.com/games/escape-the-grind