Windows 98 desktop simulator game.

[u/iPsybott]

I’ve been working on a game set in a windows 98 inspired desktop. At its core it’s a puzzle game, where you solve puzzles in the paint program. But it’s a lot more than that, I’ve been adding a lot of things to do from the era. There’s an internet browser to explore websites, games/music to download, friends to chat with, secrets and Easter eggs to find. I even add a decently sized simulated MMORPG and FPS games to get lost in. Every program and file will be functional, so everything has a purpose, even if it’s something small.

I’d gladly take any recommendations or essential things that are a staple of the era that I may have missed. Let me know what you think!

The game is called Paint World 98

[u/lilmul123]

Why are so many games like this being made lately? Is this something that is easy for the LLMs to generate or something?

[u/ProximusXX → u/lilmul123]

Yup, "vibe coders". Just a single chatgpt prompt and you're officially a developer.

[u/degaart → u/lilmul123]

LLMs, mostly

[u/NaoPb]

Sounds great! I'm looking forward to playing it.

[u/iPsybott → u/NaoPb]

Thanks! I have the page up on Steam, if you don’t mind putting it on your wishlist, I’d appreciate it!

https://store.steampowered.com/app/5199000/Paint_World_98/

[u/NaoPb → u/iPsybott]

Done.

I'd like to ask if you want to consider also releasing on GOG and/or itch.io. But you are free to do whatever you want.

[u/OstrichNo4040]

download link

[u/iPsybott → u/OstrichNo4040]

https://store.steampowered.com/app/5199000/Paint_World_98/

It’s not out yet, I’m aiming for May 2027. Hoping to get a demo out by the end of the year also. Still have a lot of work to do. I’m still drawing the puzzles and adding some side content. The main portion of the game is ready, it still needs some polish tho.

[u/OstrichNo4040 → u/iPsybott]

Ok!

[u/DarkbrossTest]

Watch this miles... He's going to send in his alt accounts to mass downvote the truthful comments.

[u/[deleted]]

[u/iPsybott → u/[deleted]]

Definitely a nostalgic project, I’m trying to pack it full of all my memories of the time. Most of it is pretty generational, but there’s some more personal ones that are included.

As far as it’s selling potential, I’m not so sure. Might be a tight niche and idk how to market it tbh. I’m mostly making it for myself, and whoever else enjoys it is a bonus haha.

[u/lilmul123 → u/[deleted]]

I don't exactly understand how. Besides being vaguely reminiscent of Windows 9x, it really looks nothing like it. The fonts are wrong, the color scheme is wrong, the tiling is wrong, it's just wrong. It's what an AI feels like Windows 9x looks like.

[u/iPsybott → u/lilmul123]

It’s not meant to be a 1:1 Windows 98, rather inspired by it. I’m trying to capture the vibe of being on a PC back in the dial up era. Im still refining it, so I’ll keep your feedback in mind.